NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
aiT
*22 JlL-7 P2 34
SENATE
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
ALLOWING AND REGULATING THE USE OF MOTORCYCLES AS PUBLIC 
UTILITY VEHICLES, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
4136, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LAND TRANSPORTATION AND 
TRAFFIC CODE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Motorcycles have emerged in the past decade as a preferred mode of private 
transportation. According to the Land Transportation Office (LTO), there are around 
15 million motorcycles without sidecars in the country. Motorcycles also account for 
40.6% of all private trips in Metro Manila and the adjacent provinces of Bulacan, 
Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna.
It was only a matter of time until motorcycles were adapted as a mode of 
public transportation. The predominant example is the habaFhabal- also known as 
skylab, which is a contraction of the phrase "sakay na, lab (love)"- which is found 
throughout the country. From Metro Manila to Bukidnon, the habal-habal\\-ds filled a 
niche in the public transport network.
Another example is Angkas, which Is new player in the local transport network 
vehicle service (TNVS) network. Angkas has foregone cumbersome car-based 
services, focusing instead on habal-habal type services. This has resulted in faster 
and cheaper rides for a loyal customer base of half a million per day.


In light of these trends, the present measure seeks to legalize motorcycles for 
hire as a form of public transportation. It does so by defining motorcycles for hire as 
"...any two-wheeled motor vehicle, which transport goods and passengers on a for 
hire basis, and which may utilize online ride-hailing or pre-arranged transportation 
platforms". It also includes the same as a new classification of public utility vehicle 
under Section 7 of Republic Act No. 4136.
Further, the present measure explicitly classifies motorcycles for-hire as 
common carriers. With this provision, motorcycles-for-hire shall observe the requisite 
degree of diligence in transporting passengers and goods. And the presumption of 
negligence in breach of contract shall likewise be applicable.
In light of the foregoing, urgent approval of this measure is eagerly sought.
•* 
GRACE TOE.
/ T


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
^cnar?
of til?
*22 JUL “7 P2 34
SENATE
S. No. 104
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
ALLOWING AND REGULATING THE USE OF MOTORCYCLES AS PUBLIC 
UTILITY VEHICLES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
4136, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LAND TRANSPORTATION AND 
TRAFFIC CODE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section. 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as "The Motorcycles-for-
2 
Hire Act of 2022".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. -The State recognizes the role of safe, reliable,
4 
and affordable public transportation as a means to provide the people with a rising
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standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. Towards this end, the State
6 
hereby allows use and regulation of motorcycles as an alternative mode of public
7 
transportation in order to provide convenience and ease of commute in urban and
8 
rural areas while ensuring public safety and efficiency of the transport system as a
9 
whole.
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Sec. 3. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 4136, or the "Land Transportation and
11 
Traffic Code" is hereby amended as follows:
12 
"Section 3. Words and phrases defined.-ks used In this Act:
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"(a) "Motor Vehicle" x x x
14 
XXX
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"(m) "Tourist" x x x
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(N) MOTORCYCLES-FOR-HIRE - SHALL MEAN ANY TWO-
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WHEELED MOTOR VEHICLE WHICH IS REGISTERED WITH THE
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LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) OR THE LAND


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TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD
2 
(LTFRB), AS THE CASE MAY BE, WHICH TRANSPORTS
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PASSENGERS AND GOODS ON A FOR HIRE BASIS, AND WHICH
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MAY UTILIZE ONLINE RIDE HAILING OR PRE-ARRANGED
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TRANSPORTATION PLATFORMS: PROVIDED, THAT THE
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MOTORCYCLE SHALL WEIGH LESS THAN ONE THOUSAND
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KILOGRAMS (1,000 KG), CAN TRAVEL FASTER THAN FIFTY
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KILOMETERS PER HOUR (50 KM/H), AND HAS A MINIMUM
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ENGINE DISPLACEMENT OF 125 CUBIC CENTIMETERS (125
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CM3) AND A BACKBONE TYPE BUILD."
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Sec. 4. Section 7 (d) of Republic Act No. 4136 is hereby amended to read as
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follows:
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"Section 7. Registration Ciassification. - Every motor vehicle shall be
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registered under one of the following described classifications.
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(a) 
XXX
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(b) 
XXX
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(C) 
XXX
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(d) 
Public utility automobiles; (e) public utility trucks; (f)
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taxis and auto-calesas; (g) garage automobiles; (h) hire trucks; [and]
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(i) trucks owned by contractor and customs brokers and customs
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agends H; AND (K) MOTORCYCLES-FOR-HIRE. Application for
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registration under these classifications shall be accompanied by a
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certificate of public conveyance or a special permit issued by the
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LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY
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BOARD [Public- Services Commission], and motor vehicles registered
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under these classifications shall be subject to the Public Services Law,
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rules and regulations, as well as the provisions of this Act.
28 
XXX."
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The succeeding sections shall be renumbered accordingly.
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Sec. 5. Liabiiity and Diiigence Required. - Motorcycles-for-hire are hereby
31 
declared as common carriers for purposes of determining the liability and degree of


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diligence that must be observed in the course of transporting passengers or goods, 
and the presumption of negligence in breach of contract shall likewise apply to them.
Sec. 6. Roadworthiness of MotorcycJes-for-Hire. - The LTO and LTFRB, as 
the case may be, shall ensure the roadworthiness of motorcycles-for-hire before 
registration or renewal of registration. To further ensure safety, no modifications 
shall be made on motorcycles-for-hire, except the installation, based on safe 
engineering design specifications, of motorcycle luggage carrier, saddlebag, step 
board or foot peg and appropriate speed limiter and monitoring device.
Sec. 7. Issuance of Driver's License. - Pursuant to Section 23-A of Republic 
Act No. 4136, as amended by Republic Act No. 10930, the LTO shall promulgate the 
necessary prerequisites and guidelines for the issuance of professional licences to 
the driver-applicants, including the theoretical and practical examinations 
appropriate for motorcycles for hire. The LTO shall also ensure the continuous safety 
training of licensed drivers of motorcycles-for-hire.
Sec. 8. Fare Setting. - The LTFRB shall determine, prescribe, approve and 
periodically review and adjust reasonable fares, rates, and other related charges for 
the operation of motorcycles for hire. The LTFRB may allow motorcycles-for-hire to 
choose and use online ride-hailing platforms or pre-arranged transportation 
platforms, accredited by the proper government agency under the applicable laws 
and rules and regulations: Provided, That such online ride-hailing platforms or pre­
arranged transportation platforms shall provide a fare estimator that enables users 
to estimate the cost of a trip, and issue an electronic receipt afterwards.
Sec. 9. Prescribing of Routes. - In prescribing routes for motorcycles-for-hire, 
the Department of Transportation and the LTFRB shall give priority to higher- 
capacity vehicles or mass transit systems In accordance with route rationalization 
studies. Motorcycles-for-hire may be allowed to operate for a limited period, with 
limited number of units, and in specific routes only, as may be determined by the 
DOTr and the LTFRB in coordination with concerned local government units: 
Provided, That specific routes shall not be prescribed for motorcycles-for-hire which 
utilize online ride-hailing or pre-arranged platforms.
Sec. 10. Penaities. -The operations of motorcycles-for-hire in violation of this 
Act shall be penalized pursuant to the violations and applicable fines and penalties


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provided under existing laws and agency regulations: Provided, That companies or 
officers or directors thereof, providing online ride-hailing or pre-arranged 
transportation platforms Involving motorcycles without a valid franchise, shall have 
solidary liability and shall be penalized accordingly.
Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -The DOTr, LTO, and LTFRB, 
in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority, Department of Interior 
and Local Government, Philippine National Police-Hlgiiway Patrol Group, Department 
of Health, and other agencies and stakeholders shall promulgate the necessary 
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) within sixty (60) days from the effectivity 
of this Act.
The IRR shall include, among others, the limitation on the number of riders 
and weight or load capacity that can be certified as safe by the manufacturers, 
which shall be Indicated on the motorcycles; the applicable speed limits; the road 
safety and traffic laws and regulations that need to be complied with; the necessary 
insurance policy covering the driver, rider, and third parties, including extent of 
liability; and other requirements for the safety, security, and health of the driver and 
rider, which shall Include a zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol policy.
Sec. 12. Separability Clause. - If any part of provision of this Act is declared 
invalid, the remaining provision shall remain valid and in effect.
Sec. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive issuances, rules and 
regulations contrary or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or 
amended accordingly.
Sec. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,