Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 4674

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this representation
respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving support from the
past and present Congress.

The State recognizes that rights of commuters and of the riding public in general.
Towards this end, the proposed measure seeks to create an office that will be
committed to ensure the safety, convenience, comfort, and betterment of
commuters. It is the hope of this representation that the creation of the Office of
Commuter Affairs in the Department of Transportation will positively impact the
government's effort in affirming this duty to the public.

The Office of Commuter Affairs will be primarily concerned with the following:

a. Provide assistance to commuters in terms of matters concerning safety,
convenience, and comfort, to name a few

b. Serve as a portal for the commuting public where they can forward their
concerns

c. Provide assistance in the identification and apprehension of erring and
abusive drivers and operators

In this light, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

JOH! “YUL SERVO” C. NIETO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. aia

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

AN ACT CREATING THE OFFICE OF COMMUTER AFFAIRS IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Office of Commuter
Affairs Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the rights of commuters
and of the riding public in general. Such recognition goes with the government's
responsibility to provide the same with quality services, ensure their safety and
offer valuable assistance specially during emergency situations. Toward this end, it
is imperative to create a dedicated office in the Department of Transportation to
oversee all the above-mentioned concerns.

Sec. 3. Creation of the Office of Commuter Affairs. - There is hereby created
an office to be known as the Office of Commuter Affairs (OCA) in the Department
of Transportation (DOTr). The OCA shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary who
shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines. It shall
maintain its principal office in Metro Manila and establish regional offices as may
be necessary for the proper conduct of its operations.

Sec. 4. Functions and Responsibilities of the Office. - The OCA shall be
tasked to perform the following functions and responsibilities:



. Coordinate with other DOTr agencies as well as law enforcement agencies

dealing with road, rail, air and maritime transportation to ensure safe,
efficient and comfortable travel of commuters;

. Operate help desks for the riding public;
. Assist the commuters whenever the safety and efficiency of travel is

compromised;

. Undertake massive commuter education programs for the traveling public to

know their rights and responsibilities;

e. Ensure legal assistance for commuters, when the need arises;\

Sec.

Sec.

+ Reactivate the DOTr Action Center by the use of landline, web, social media,

radio and television.

5. Divisions Under the OCA. - The OCA shail have the following divisions:

. Commuter Welfare Division. - The division that takes charge of ensuring

safe, efficient and comfortable travel of passengers from arrival to departure
at terminals, train stations, airports and seaports.

. Commuter Education Division. - The division that is responsible for public,

school and corporate trainings and publications on all modes of
transportation.

. Commuter Communications Division. - The division tasked to manage the

DOTr Central Office (DOTr-CO) Hotline and call center, website and social
media for commuters’ complaints, concerns and suggestions. For this
Purpose, the existing DOTr Action Center shall be transferred from the Office
of the Assistant Secretary for Communications to the Office of Commuter

Affairs.

. Legal Assistance Division. - The division tasked to provide legal assistance to

affected commuters and to the Office itself.

6. Inter-agency Cooperation. - The OCA shall link and cooperate with

existing DOTr offices, such as the Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Communications, the Department's Legal Service as well as the Driver's Academy
under the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to
address areas of mutual concerns and common interests for the greater good and
welfare of the riding public.


Sec. 7. Funding and Manpower Requirements. - Funding for the manpower
and operational activities, programs as well as other needs of the OCA shall be
sourced from the General Appropriations Act (GAA), subject to the applicable
accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

Support assistance from the Administrative, Finance and Management
Comptrollership Services of the DOTr-CO shall be made available for the
operationalization of the said Office.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be subsequently
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not so declared and not
affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, issuances, orders, rules and
regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,