Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___________ 
___________________________________________________________________ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JURDIN JESUS M. ROMUALDO 
___________________________________________________________________ 
A similar subject bill was filed in the 18th Congress authored by the late 
Congressman Raul V. Del Mar and that bill was approved on Third Reading by the 
House of Representatives on February 2, 2022 and transmitted to the Senate on the 
same date. 
This version also seeks to provide a clearer policy for the franchise and operation of 
Motorcycle-For-Hire in the country and provide the Land Transportation Office and 
the Land Transportation and Franchising Board a clearer mandate on their 
jurisdictions on this kind of transport service. 
During the pandemic, more commuters, business organizations and individuals have 
use the various digital and logistic platforms to book their needs such as rides from 
home to office or to different destinations order perishable goods, move parcels, 
documents, and have it pick up and delivered to the desired destination as it is easier 
to go through traffic or use secondary routes. 
These kind of services have been patronized heavily during the past two (2) years 
due to the limited movement of people with the health and safety protocols on 
Covid-19 and with the urgent need to dispatch faster parcels, mails, and goods.  
There are some reliable and efficient operators, Transportation Network Companies 
(TNC’s) and Online E-Commerce Platform Providers (OEPP’s) that are operating 
and used by the public.  
We need a clearer policy that will promote effective and efficient service and 
regulation for the operators, riders, TNCs and OEPPs, kind of motorcycle fit for this 
service, regular training of riders, and provide safety policies for service providers 
and clients.  Applications for franchise to operate, opening of new routes, and 
continued use specific routes have to be clarified and mapped out to even the playing 
field, qualifications of riders, operators, TNCs and OEPPs have to be classified as 
well as standards and specifications of the kind of motorcycles fit for the for-hire 
business.   
September 1, 2022
12:17 pm
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Existing regulators such as LTFRB and LTO shall coordinate with DTI – Bureau of 
Product Standards, TESDA, DOH, DILG, and other stakeholders for the drafting of 
an implementing guideline for this Act.  
 
The early passage of this bill with the support of the Members of Congress will be 
greatly appreciated.  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___________ 
___________________________________________________________________ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JURDIN JESUS M. ROMUALDO 
___________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE OPERATION OF MOTORCYCLES-FOR-HIRE 
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 "Motorcycles-for-
1 
Hire Act." 
2 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the importance of 
3 
transportation in economic development. The recent innovations in technology 
4 
has opened an opportunity for alternative modes of public conveyance, such as 
5 
motorcycles-for-hire, to thrive as a reliable and accessible mode of 
6 
transportation. However, despite its promise of convenience and fast service it 
7 
must be regulated to ensure that the interest of the general public is protected. 
8 
Thus, the State shall allow the regulated operation of motorcycle-for-hire to 
9 
provide the public with an alternative mode of public transportation that is 
10 
sufficient, safe, secure and economical. 
11 
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Towards this end, the State shall establish mechanisms and guidelines in 
1 
regulating all the operational aspects of motorcycles-for-hire. 
2 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act: 
3 
a) 
Motorcycle refers to any two (2)-wheeled motor vehicle without 
4 
appendages; 
 
5 
b) 
Motorcycle-for-hire refers to a motorcycle, duly registered as 
6 
such under this Act, and used to carry passengers or goods on a for hire basis, 
7 
offering its services to the public; 
8 
c) 
Multi-homing refers to an approach where an operator may 
9 
accredit a particular motorcycle-for-hire to more than one transport network 
10 
company or Online E-commerce Platform Provider allowing the same to utilize 
11 
more than one digital platform in delivering transport services; 
12 
d) 
Online E-commerce Platform provider refers to a natural or 
13 
juridical person whose primary business is to provide the digital platform that 
14 
connects online buyers and online sellers to facilitate the sale of products, goods 
15 
or services through the internet; 
16 
e) 
Operator refers to the person in whose name the motorcycle-for-
17 
hire is registered; 
18 
f) 
Rider refers to the driver of the motorcycle-for-hire and 
19 
registered owner of the motorcycle unit; and 
20 
g) 
Transportation Network Company refers to an entity which 
21 
provides pre-arranged transportation services for compensation using an 
22 
internet-based technology application or any digital platform technology to 
23 
connect clients with riders to facilitate a contract of carriage using a motorcycle-
24 
for-hire. 
25 
SEC. 4. Scope and Application. — This Act shall apply to all aspects of 
26 
the operation of motorcycles used as a common carrier for the transportation of 
27 


passengers or lawful goods which shall include parcels and mails. This Act shall 
1 
not apply to motorcycles directly owned by entities and used exclusively in the 
2 
line of business for delivery of goods and other services. 
3 
SEC. 5. Motorcycles-For-Hire as Common Carriers. — The operation of 
4 
motorcycles-for-hire is imbued with public interest. As such, the same shall be 
5 
governed by the applicable provisions of the Civil Code of the Philippines and 
6 
other pertinent laws, rules and regulations on common carriers, particularly on 
7 
the required due diligence to be observed in the course of transporting passengers 
8 
or goods, and on the presumption of culpability in case of breach of a contract, 
9 
of carriage. A Transportation Network Company (TNC) or an Online E-
10 
Commerce platform provider (OEPP) should exercise due diligence and 
11 
reasonable care in accrediting motorcycle-for-hire operators and drivers that 
12 
shall operate under their platforms. 
13 
SEC. 6. Registration of Motorcycles-For-Hire, — A motorcycle intended 
14 
to be used as a motorcycle-for-hire must be duly registered with the Land 
15 
Transportation Office (LTO) in accordance with the requirements set forth in 
16 
Section 7 of this Act. The LTO shall ensure the roadworthiness of all 
17 
motorcycles-for-hire before their registration or any renewal thereof. 
18 
SEC. 7. Standards and Specifications of Motorcycles-For-Hire. — The 
19 
Department of Transportation (DOTr), upon the recommendation of the 
20 
Department of Trade and Industry - Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTIBPS) 
21 
and LTO, shall prescribe the standards and specifications of motorcycles that 
22 
may be allowed to operate as motorcycles-for-hire, taking into consideration the 
23 
safety of the riders, passengers and carriage of lawful goods. No modifications 
24 
shall be made on any motorcycles-for-hire, except for the installation of the 
25 
appropriate accessories, such as motorcycle bracket, top box, luggage carrier, 
26 
saddlebag, step board or foot rest, speed limiter or monitoring devices, in 
27 


accordance with the standards and specifications prescribed by the DTI-BPS and 
1 
as approved by the LTO Under existing laws, rules and regulations. 
2 
SEC. 8. Franchising of Motorcycles-For-Hire. The franchising of 
3 
motorcycles-for-hire in metropolitan and urbanized areas with an existing and 
4 
operating TNC or OEPP shall be vested with the Land Transportation 
5 
Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The LTFRB shall set forth in the 
6 
franchise granted to operators, the terms and conditions to be observed in the 
7 
operation of motorcycles-for-hire. Such franchise shall allow the operator to 
8 
engage in multi-homing operation upon accreditation with other TNCs or 
9 
OEPPs. The LTFRB, in coordination with the concerned local government unit 
10 
in a province, city or municipality, shall determine the areas of operation, or 
11 
routes if applicable, of motorcycles-for-hire in accordance with the route 
12 
rationalization plan or studies adopted by the DOTr, while the number of 
13 
motorcycle-for-hire units to be operated by TNCs and OEPPs shall be 
14 
determined by market forces based on the demand for their services. Provided, 
15 
That, in determining the number of motorcycle-for-hire units to be operated by 
16 
TNCs and OEPPs, the demand for their services shall be given substantial weight 
17 
and basis by the LTFRB in their franchise issuance. 
18 
 
19 
The franchise fee and any other related charges for operating a motorcycle-for-
20 
hire shall be determined by the LTFRB, in consultation with the DOTr and the 
21 
stakeholders and shall be subject to periodic updating every five (5) years 
22 
thereafter. 
23 
 
24 
In areas outside the metropolitan areas or regional hubs and where there is no 
25 
existing or operating TNC or OEPP, the application for a franchise shall first be 
26 
opened by the LTFRB, in coordination with the relevant LGUs, to interested 
27 


TNCs or OEPPs. Priority applications shall be first offered to existing TNCs or 
1 
OEPPs in good standing.  Provided, That, a motorcycle-for-hire may only 
2 
operate within the territorial jurisdiction of the LGU concerned where they have 
3 
been granted a franchise to operate and LGUs may recommend the appropriate 
4 
number of units that may be allowed to operate in their respective jurisdictions 
5 
based on the appropriate projected demand in the locality. 
6 
 
7 
To ensure the fast and efficient processing of franchises, the LTFRB and LGUs 
8 
shall establish a smooth system of coordination consistent with  Republic Act 
9 
No. 11032, otherwise  known as the “Ease of Doing Business Act” and shall 
10 
incorporate these in the rules and regulations to be issued by the LTFRB pursuant 
11 
to Sec. 21 of this Act. 
12 
 
13 
SEC. 9. Requirements for the Grant of a Franchise or Issuance of a 
14 
Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC). — A CPC shall only be issued to an 
15 
operator upon submission of and compliance with the following requirements: 
16 
a) Proof of Filipino citizenship; 
17 
b) Proof of accreditation by a TNC or OEPP for motorcycles-for-hire 
18 
under the digital platform or business permit issued by relevant city or 
19 
municipality for motorcycles-for-hire not operating under a TNC or OEPP; 
20 
c) Certificate of Registration duly issued by the LTO; 
21 
d) Appropriate space to serve as a garage for a franchise applicant 
22 
intending to operate three (3) or more motorcycles-for-hire; 
23 
e) Insurance coverage for any death or injury that may occur to a rider, 
24 
passenger or any third party or damage to property by reason or on occasion of 
25 
its operation; and 
26 


f) Tax Identification Number or Certificate of Registration as Common 
1 
Carrier issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), if applicable. 
2 
SEC. 10. Qualifications of Motorcycle-For-Hire Riders. — The LTO shall 
3 
promulgate the necessary guidelines setting forth the requirements for the 
4 
issuance of a professional driver's license, including the content of theoretical 
5 
and practical examinations that are appropriate for the operation of a motorcycle-
6 
for-hire. Only riders possessing such professional driver's license shall be 
7 
allowed to operate motorcycles for-hire. The LTO shall conduct a continuing 
8 
safety training program for licensed riders of motorcycles-for-hire with a 
9 
curriculum duly certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development 
10 
Authority (TESDA): Provided, that licensed riders shall attend at least one (1) 
11 
safety training seminar every year from duly accredited TESDA schools and 
12 
institutions duly identified by the LTFRB and published for the information of 
13 
the licensed riders of motorcycles-for-hire. 
14 
SEC. 11. Accreditation Requirements of TNCs and OEPPs. — A TNC or 
15 
OEPP must be duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
16 
(SEC). 
17 
Before a TNC or OÉPP which utilizes motorcycles-for-hire in its business 
18 
operations is allowed to operate as such, it must comply with the accreditation 
19 
requirement of Department of Information and Communications Technology 
20 
(DICT). The DTI, LTFRB and DICT shall jointly issue the guidelines that shall 
21 
govern the operations of TNCs and OEPPs using motorcycles-for-hire. 
22 
SEC. 12. Operation of Motorcycle-For-Hire. — Motorcycles-for-hire 
23 
may be allowed to operate using any legitimate digital booking platforms or 
24 
designated terminals. To maximize its operation, motorcycles-for-hire shall not 
25 
be bound by a single TNC or OEPP but shall be allowed to adopt a multi-homing 
26 
approach within a particular area of operation under the given franchise: 
27 


Provided, that a motorcycle-for-hire accredited under any TNC or OEPP 
1 
platform may not be allowed to operate as motorcycle-for-hire without using 
2 
such platform. 
3 
The capacity, nature and character of goods that may be transported, as 
4 
well as the dimensions of the motorcycle bracket or luggage carrier of 
5 
motorcycles-for-hire, shall be determined by the LTFRB in accordance with the 
6 
standards and specifications provided under Section 7 of this Act. 
7 
Motorcycles-for-hire shall operate at speeds allowable under Republic Act 
8 
No. 4136, otherwise known as the "Land Transportation and Traffic Code", local 
9 
ordinances and other applicable laws: Provided, That in no case shall a 
10 
motorcycle-for-hire operate beyond sixty kilometers per hour (60kph). 
11 
SEC. 13. Fare Setting. The fares, surcharges and other transportation fees 
12 
that may be charged by Operators, OEPPs or TNCs shall be in accordance with 
13 
the fare structure and within the parameters determined, prescribed and issued 
14 
by the LTFRB, in consultation with the motorcycle-for-hire industry and subject 
15 
to the approval of the DOTr. The fare structure shall take into consideration 
16 
supply of and demand for motorcycle-for-hire services and shall allow dynamic 
17 
pricing on account of market variations based on location and time. 
18 
The LTFRB shall periodically review the fare structure and parameters of 
19 
determining the applicable fares, subject to the approval of the DOTr.  
20 
In the case of motorcycle-for-hire operating outside the digital platforms, 
21 
the fare shall be determined by the LTFRB after a public consultation with LGUs 
22 
and the operators and other stakeholders, with the approval of the DOTr. 
23 
SEC. 14. Processing of Personal Information. - Any collection, 
24 
processing and storage of personal information and sensitive personal 
25 
information involved in the registration of motorcycles-for-hire, digital 
26 
bookings, and other requirements under this Act shall be made in accordance 
27 


with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the "Data 
1 
Privacy Act of 2012." 
2 
SEC. 15. Liabilities for Death, Injuries or Damage to Property. — The 
3 
operator shall be held liable as a “common carrier” when death, injury or damage 
4 
to property occurred in the course of operating a motorcycle-for-hire business. 
5 
The TNC or OEPP shall only be liable in case of negligence in accrediting 
6 
motorcycle-for-hire operators and drivers. In all cases, any liability of the TNC 
7 
or OEPP shall be limited only to the amount of insurance cover of the operator. 
8 
SEC. 16. Accident Quick Response. - Each TNC or OEPP shall establish 
9 
a quick response system to provide immediate assistance and when possible 
10 
dispatch a quick response team to respond to the incident area.  The persons 
11 
involved in the incident shall be from a confirmed motorcycle-for-hire booking 
12 
through its digital platform.  The quick response function during an emergency 
13 
or road crash shall be part of the booking application options of the digital 
14 
platforms as part of their customer care policy. When necessary, the TNC or 
15 
OEPP shall advance such amount necessary for the immediate admission of 
16 
those involved in the road incident for their emergency care up to the maximum 
17 
insured amount and shall be subject to reimbursement by the insurance company. 
18 
SEC. 17. Enforcement. — To ensure the safe and secure operation of 
19 
motorcycle-for-hire, the LTO shall deputize LGUs and other relevant 
20 
government agencies to assist in the enforcement of traffic rules and regulations, 
21 
and to monitor Strict compliance with the provisions of this Act, particularly on 
22 
the observance of carrying capacity and speed limits. The LTO shall establish a 
23 
centralized database to ensure the accurate recording of violations and road 
24 
crashes involving motorcycles-for-hire and for the purpose of applying the 
25 
penalties as well as other sanctions under this Act. It shall publish quarterly and 
26 


annual reports of such data on its website which shall be made accessible to the 
1 
public. 
2 
Consistent with its mandate under Republic Act No. 7924 which created 
3 
the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the MMDA shall 
4 
continue to exercise its traffic enforcement functions within Metro Manila in 
5 
furtherance of the objectives of this Act. 
6 
All violations related to the terms and conditions of a franchise shall be 
7 
endorsed by the LTO enforcement officers, deputized LGU enforcers and 
8 
MMDA personnel to the LTFRB for appropriate action. The foregoing shall not 
9 
preclude the TNCs or OEPPs from exercising the power to impose sanctions 
10 
such as suspension or blacklisting of their riders or operators on account of 
11 
violation of internal rules made known to the latter, acts detrimental to safety 
12 
and security and other reasonable or valid grounds. 
13 
SEC. 18.  Penalties. — The following prohibited acts shall be penalized 
14 
as follows: 
15 
a) Any rider who operates a motorcycle-for-hire in violation of traffic rules 
16 
and regulations, carrying capacity and licensing requirement shall suffer the 
17 
maximum penalty imposed under the applicable law, ordinance, rule or 
18 
regulation for such violation. In addition, the LTO shall impose a penalty of 
19 
suspension or revocation of driver's license of an erring rider commensurate to 
20 
the gravity of the offense and frequency of commission. The table of penalties 
21 
shall be included in the rules and regulations to be issued pursuant to Sec. 21 of 
22 
this Act. 
23 
b) An operator who allows a rider who does not possess a valid 
24 
Professional Driver's License to operate a motorcycle-for-hire shall, in addition 
25 
to penalties under existing laws and regulations, suffer a penalty of suspension 
26 
or revocation of franchise, after due notice and hearing. 
27 


c) The penal provisions of Republic Act No. 7394, otherwise known as the 
1 
"Consumer Act of the Philippines" and Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise 
2 
known as the “Data Privacy Act”  shall apply for acts or omissions committed 
3 
in the course of motorcycle-for-hire operation. 
4 
SEC. 19. Travel Demand and Operational Data. — To assist the DOTr in 
5 
transportation planning and management, the TNCs and OEPPs shall not later 
6 
than thirty (30) calendar days after the end of every year submit to the DOTr 
7 
their travel demand and operational data. 
8 
SEC. 20. Transitory Provision. — To ensure a smooth transition in the 
9 
implementation of this Act, he LTFRB shall promulgate the rules and regulations 
10 
pursuant to Section 21 of this Act on the continued validity of existing franchises 
11 
of currently operating TNCs, OEPPs and operators and provide options to 
12 
conform to this Act. 
13 
SEC. 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days 
14 
from the effectivity of this Act the DOTr shall in coordination with the LTFRB, 
15 
LTO, DTI-BPS, DICT, BIR, TESDA, Department of Health, Department of the 
16 
Interior and Local Government, MMDA, and the Philippine National Police 
17 
Highway Patrol Group, in consultation with stakeholders, promulgate rules and 
18 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
19 
SEC. 22. Separability Clause. — If for any reason any provision of this 
20 
Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not 
21 
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
22 
SEC. 23. Repealing Clause. — All provisions of laws, decrees, executive 
23 
orders, presidential issuances and other administrative rules and regulation, or 
24 
parts thereof, which are incompatible or inconsistent with the provisions of this 
25 
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
26 


SEC. 24. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
1 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
2 
 
Approved. 
 
3