Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 1983 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Tricycles serve as a crucial mode of public transportation in both urban and rural 
areas across the Philippines, offering mobility to millions and livelihood to thousands. 
Despite their vital role in local economies and community access, tricycle drivers and 
operators continue to face systemic challenges such as lack of social protection, unclear 
regulatory frameworks, and limited representation in policymaking. 
At present, tricycle operations are mainly governed by Republic Act No. 4136, 
also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, and by local government 
ordinances under Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991. These laws 
give local governments the power to regulate tricycles within their areas, including 
issuing permits and setting routes. However, the lack of a clear national policy has led to 
inconsistent rules and practices across different cities and towns. 
This proposed measure aims to fix these problems by creating a national law that 
protects the rights of tricycle drivers and operators. It will set fair and clear rules for 
permits and franchises, stop illegal fees, and make sure drivers get support like 
insurance, training, and financial help. It also calls on government agencies like the 
Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and local 
government units (LGUs) to work together to improve the system. 
By passing this law, we show respect for the hard work of tricycle drivers and 
operators and help make public transportation safer, fairer, and more organized.  
For these reasons, the approval of this bill is strongly requested. 
 RICARDO S. CRUZ JR. 
1 
July 16, 2025
10:52 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 1983 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF TRICYCLE DRIVERS AND OPERATORS AND 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE MECHANISMS FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION 
     Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SEC. l. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta for Tricycle 
Drivers and Operators.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to: 
(a) Promote and improve the total well-being of the members of the tricycle sector
particularly  the  marginalized  low-level  income  earners  by  providing adequate and 
timely social, economic, and legal services, as well as a mechanism that protects rights 
and promotes benefits that ensure dignified existence and economic advancement; 
(b) Recognize, promote, protect, and fulfill the rights of every member of the
tricycle sector, particularly the tricycle drivers and operators, whose rights include the 
right to self-organization, right to decent work under just and humane working 
conditions, access to social protection, and right to represent their organizations in a 
continuing process of consultation and dialogue towards maximizing the provision of a 
comprehensive package of reforms, interventions, and services in accordance with their 
articulated needs and interests; 
(c) Prioritize the enactment of measures that protect and enhance the rights of all
people to human dignity, reduce social, economic, and political inequalities and remove 
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cultural inequalities by diffusing wealth and political power for the common good and 
to provide environments at the national and local levels that enable all workers to fully 
develop into productive and responsible citizens;  
(d) Recognize the roles and contributions of members of the tricycle sector, make 
them visible in the national and local statistics, and develop the local economy by 
maximizing their potential;  
(e) Promote gender equity and equality through the elimination of gender 
stereotypes attached to this sector, and protecting the women workers against 
gender-based discrimination, exploitation, violence, and all other forms of abuse; 
(f) Protect vulnerable groups in the tricycle sector such as the elderly and 
differently-abled persons from safety issues, discrimination, and harassment; 
(g) Eliminate child labor in the tricycle sector through effective enforcement of 
laws against child labor and the creation of more quality jobs for adults; and 
(h) Promote the safety and security of citizens especially those that are vulnerable 
to accidents and mishaps, to safeguard the sanctity of life and to ensure the safety of 
every human being in its territories. 
 
SEC. 3. Framework and Principles. – The local government units (LGUs) shall 
pursue 
and 
implement 
a 
comprehensive, 
rights-based, 
participatory 
and 
gender-responsive framework for members of the tricycle sector under a 
Comprehensive Development Plan that includes: 
 
(a) Putting in place policies and programs that shall bring members of the tricycle 
sector to the economic and social mainstream; 
​
(b) Pursuing structural reforms in all relevant levels of LGUs by creating 
committees, special offices for development and protection of workers in the 
tricycle sector and supporting representational rights through their organizations;  
​
 
​
(c)  Extending coverage of accessible and affordable social security and health care 
benefits to workers in the tricycle sector; and  
​
(d) Exacting responsibility on the part of the tricycle sector members to promote 
and ensure the convenience, safety and security of the riding public and 
stakeholders in the sector, and protection of the environment: Provided, That the 
State shall recognize the rights of the tricycle sector and put in place responsive, 
transparent and accountable mechanisms to ensure the protection, promotion and 
realization of those rights. 
  
​
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
​
(a) Colorum refers to: (1) a private vehicle operated for public utility without the 
3 


 
benefit  of  a  valid  and  existing  special  permit,  provisional  authority or 
franchise; (2) a public utility vehicle operating outside its approved route without 
prior permit from the issuing authority; or (3) a public utility vehicle operating 
differently from its authorized denomination;  
​
(b) Local government units (LGUs) refer to cities and municipalities;  
​
(c) Motorist  awareness  program  refers  to  any  information  or  public awareness 
program designed to enhance motorist awareness on the presence of tricycles on 
or near roadways;  
​
(d) Motorized Tricycle Operators Permit (MTOP) refers to the permit that 
authorizes the holder to operate a tricycle for public transport;  
​
(e)Sanggunian refers to the Sangguniang Panlungsod or the Sangguniang Bayan, as 
the case may be;  
​
(f) Tricycle refers to a motor vehicle composed of a motorcycle fitted with a 
single-wheel sidecar, or a motorcycle with a two-wheel rear cab – the former 
having a total of three wheels and the latter having a total of four wheels, 
otherwise known as the motorela. The term shall include all three-wheeled motor 
vehicles classified as L4 and L5 motorcycles by the Land Transportation Office 
(LTO);  
​
(g) Tricycle  drivers  safety  program  refers  to  any  formal  program  of instruction 
that covers accident avoidance, compliance with road safety laws and best 
practices and provides other safety-oriented operational skills tricycle drivers, 
including innovative training to meet unique regional needs;  
​
(h) Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association or TODA refers to the organization 
of tricycle operators and drivers in a given LGU; and  
​
(i) Tricycle sector refers to a group consisting of drivers and operators of tricycles 
for public transportation in the Philippines. 
 
​
SEC. 5. Tricycle Operating Requirements. – Tricycles shall be operated subject to 
the following requirements: 
​
(a) Subject  to  the  guidelines  to  be  prescribed  by  the  Department  of 
Transportation  (DOTr),  the  LTO  and  Land  Transportation  Franchising  and 
Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the LGUs shall have the power to regulate the 
operation of tricycles and grant permits for the operation thereof within their 
territorial jurisdiction.  
​
Before issuing the MTOP, the concerned LGU shall submit for approval of the 
DOTr a Local Public Transport Route Plan that includes the tricycle routes and zones, 
alternate tricycle route plan, designation of terminals, and maximum number of 
tricycles operating within its jurisdiction. Such plan, which must comply with the 
guidelines promulgated therefor with the end goal of ensuring overall efficiency, 
4 


 
integration and safety of the transportation system, shall be approved by the DOTr 
within a period of sixty (60) days from receipt thereof. 
​
(b) For safety reasons, no tricycle shall operate on national highways utilized by 
4-wheeled vehicles greater than four (4) tons and where normal speed exceeds forty 
(40) kilometers per hour: Provided, however, That the concerned Sanggunian, through 
an ordinance, may provide exceptions if there are no public transportation servicing the 
said route, either along the highway or crossing the same, other than tricycles, subject 
to the approval of the DOTr: Provided, further, That the exception may also be allowed by 
the concerned Sanggunian when there is no other access to the areas concerned other 
than the national highway as determined by the LGU: Provided, furthermore, That when 
such operation is allowed, tricycles shall only be allowed to traverse the outer right lane 
of the road except when preparing to turn, and the LGU is mandated to provide 
appropriate signages, marks for lanes, and other safety features to guide and protect the 
tricycles utilizing the highways. 
​
Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the concerned LGUs shall 
enact the necessary ordinance for this purpose.  
​
Tricycles shall not be allowed to travel beyond their regular route of service as 
embodied in their franchise except during medical emergency, typhoon, flood, 
conflagration and analogous fortuitous circumstances where deviation from the regular 
route is necessary to save lives, prevent injuries or damage to property. 
(c) Operators shall only employ drivers possessing professional licenses duly 
issued by the LTO. For this purpose, the LTO shall issue guidelines, including theoretical 
and practical examinations, appropriate for drivers of tricycles. 
(d) The LTO shall ensure the roadworthiness of tricycles before registration or 
renewal of registration, including compliance with environmental laws. In coordination 
with motorcycle and tricycle manufacturers and the Department of Trade and Industry 
(DTI), the LTO shall formulate safety standards and the allowable designs and 
modifications, taking into consideration the needs of the vulnerable groups, and 
determine the limitations on passengers and weight or load capacity. Such limitations 
shall be indicated on the body of the tricycles. 
(e) Operating zones shall be within the boundaries of the concerned LGU. 
However, existing operating zones traversing two (2) or more LGUs may be maintained:  
Provided,  That  operators  serving  said  zones  shall  secure  the necessary MTOP from 
each of the LGUs having jurisdiction over the covered areas: Provided, further, That the 
fees to be charged for the permit allowing a tricycle to operate outside the jurisdiction 
of the LGU where it has established its base of operation shall be lesser than the fees 
charged for the issuance of the MTOP under Section 6 hereof, which amount shall be 
provided in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act.  
(f)  An LGU may adopt a common color-coding scheme for tricycles operating in 
the same zone. Each unit shall be assigned and bear an identifiable body number, aside 
from its license plate number issued by the LTO.  
5 


 
(g) An operator wishing to completely terminate its service shall report in 
writing such termination to the LGU which originally granted the MTOP. 
(h) The MTOP shall be valid for five (5) years, renewable for the same period. The 
change of zone of operation, change of ownership of tricycle unit or transfer of MTOP 
shall be construed as an amendment to an MTOP which shall require appropriate 
approval of the concerned LGU. 
(i)  A tricycle shall be allowed to operate similar to a taxi service where, aside 
from rendering services in the designated terminal, it can be flagged-down or engaged 
by passengers on the road within its authorized zone of operation. 
(j)  An operator shall be covered by personal passenger accident insurance policy 
and third-party liability insurance policy before the LTO registers the tricycle as 
“for-hire” or before the renewal of registration thereof, during the validity of its MTOP. 
(k) Prior to the issuance of the MTOP, tricycles shall be marked or installed with 
signage to show their passenger capacity. The  concerned  LGUs  shall  impose  no  other  
additional  requirement  for tricycle operation, except those provided under this Act. 
 
SEC. 6. Registration and Issuance of the MTOP. – There shall be a simple system 
and procedure for registration and issuance of the MTOP in accordance with the 
framework and principles of this Act. The fees for registration and issuance of an MTOP, 
which shall be valid for a five-year period, shall not exceed One thousand pesos 
(P1,000.00). The amount shall cover the filing fee, franchise fee, inspection fee, fare 
adjustment fee, amendment fee, regulatory fee, and all other miscellaneous fees. No 
other fees shall be exacted from the tricycle sector  business  activities  or  enterprise  
other  than  the  registration  fee  as mentioned above. 
The DOTr may increase or adjust the fees herein imposed once every five (5) 
years: Provided, That in no case shall the increase be more than ten percent (10%) of 
the prevailing amount. 
 
SEC. 7. Tricycle Sector One-Stop Shop. – All LGUs shall establish a Tricycle Sector 
One-Stop Shop which shall handle all transactions and processing of the business 
permit applications within their respective jurisdictions. The One-Stop Shop shall 
ensure that the processing of the MTOP of the members of the tricycle sector shall 
commence on the day of their application and the registration shall be released within 
thirty-six (36) hours upon submission of thE complete requirements. 
To facilitate efficient and expeditious processing of the MTOP applications, the 
LGUs shall also formulate a uniform and simple checklist of requirements for 
registration and flowchart of the procedure of registration. The LGUs shall also be 
responsible in translating the checklist of requirements and flowchart of procedure of 
registration in their own local dialect. The LGUs shall cause the posting of the checklist  
and  flowchart  of  procedure  of  registration  in  at  least  three  (3) conspicuous areas, 
preferably in public areas in the community and in tricycle terminals, and cause the 
6 


 
publication of the same in the local newspaper, if there is any. 
The information about the One-Stop Shop shall be included in the Citizen’s 
Charter of LGUs through any available medium. 
 
SEC. 8. Rights and Benefits of Workers in the Tricycle Sector. – The members of 
the tricycle sector shall have the following rights: 
(a)​
Self-organization, to collectively negotiate with government and other 
entities in the promotion of their welfare and advancement of interests free from any 
political interference or favor; 
(b)​
Informed participation in decision-making processes relevant to the other 
concerns of their sector through their legitimate organizations. To this end, they shall be 
represented in all public hearings for laws, ordinances, or regulations that will affect 
their sector; 
(c)​
Access to medical care services and insurance; 
(d)​
Freedom from any form of discrimination, violence, exploitation, or 
harassment; 
(e)​
Freedom from deprivation of property without valid cause and due process 
of law; 
(f)​
Equal access to information on how to safeguard their rights according to 
law; 
(g)​
Safe working conditions; and  
(h)​
Protection from any act of interference, coercion, extortion, and 
bureaucratic red tape in the exercise of their rights.  
 
SEC. 9. Government Support to the Tricycle Sector. – All concerned 
national government agencies, government financial institutions, and LGUs shall 
include in their plans, programs, projects, and activities efforts that are supportive 
of the foregoing rights and other concerns of the tricycle sector. Each LGU shall 
also create a grievance mechanism to deal with the concerns of the members of the 
tricycle sector. The members of the tricycle sector shall likewise be entitled to legal 
assistance from the government for the protection and enforcement of the rights 
provided under this Act. 
 
SEC.  10.  Mandatory  Membership  in  SSS  and  National  Health 
Insurance Program. – The Social Security System (SSS) and the Philippine Health 
Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), within ninety (90) days from the issuance of 
the IRR of this Act, shall promulgate guidelines for strengthening the mechanisms  
of  providing  social  security  and  health  insurance  coverage  to members of the 
7 


 
tricycle sector. The SSS shall also inform its members from the tricycle sector of 
the services and loans that the latter can avail of. The PhilHealth shall coordinate 
and collaborate with the tricycle sector organizations, the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development and other concerned government agencies, and the 
LGUs to determine the financial capability of the members of the tricycle sector to 
pay premium contributions and to identify those members who shall be entitled to 
the national government subsidy. 
 
SEC. 11. Role of the Local Government Units. – Subject to the operating 
conditions in Section 5 of this Act and the guidelines to be promulgated by the 
DOTr, LTO and LTFRB, LGUs shall have the following responsibilities: 
(a) The LGUs, after consultation with the transport groups, the affected 
communities, and other stakeholders, shall identify and designate viable routes 
and terminals of tricycle within the city or municipality. Viable terminals shall be 
established in proximity to public buildings, public markets, private markets, 
commercial districts, or commercial establishments and other places which the 
public frequently visits. 
(b) The Sanggunian, within ninety (90) days after the identification and 
designation of routes and terminals through public consultation and survey by the 
local planning and development office or appropriate transportation development 
and traffic management office of the LGU concerned, shall pass an ordinance 
designating the routes and the terminals of tricycles as specified in this Act. 
An LGU, which has already established or designated routes and terminals 
of tricycles prior to this Act, is deemed to have complied with this provision of the 
Act: Provided, That the aforesaid establishment or designation of routes and 
terminals have been undertaken after consultation with the stakeholders. 
(c) The LGUs, in coordination with the DOTr, LTO and public and private 
stakeholders, shall also lead a tricycle maintenance program. This shall be done by 
providing the existing TODAs within their jurisdiction, training and instruction on 
tricycle preventive and periodic maintenance in tandem with the Department of 
Science and Technology (DOST) and other private institutions.  
(d) Vocational education on motorcycle or small engine repair, driving, 
auto-servicing and related courses like engine repair and maintenance shall also 
be offered by the LGUs to the members of the tricycle sector, in coordination with 
the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). With the help of DOLE and TESDA, 
LGUs shall also provide opportunities for alternative livelihood and skills-training 
programs to allow tricycle drivers to explore more economically rewarding 
sources of income. 
(e) There shall be a regular conduct of mandatory Tricycle Drivers Safety 
Program at the LGU level. The content and structure of the Tricycle Drivers Safety 
8 


 
Program shall be formulated by the DOTr, LTO, LTFRB, DOST and other relevant 
government agencies. The LGUs shall require all tricycle drivers within its 
jurisdiction  to  undergo  a  periodic  safety  orientation  or  seminar  under  this 
program. To complement this program, the LTO and LTFRB shall include a Motorist 
Awareness Program in all its safety trainings. 
(f) The LGUs, in coordination with law enforcement agencies, shall prevent 
the proliferation of illegal or colorum tricycle units. 
(g) The LGUs, in coordination with the DOLE and other concerned agencies, 
shall ensure the regular conduct of seminars to prevent the unlawful employment 
of children as tricycle drivers and the gender-based discrimination in granting 
driver’s licenses.  
(h) The LGUs, through their respective traffic management offices, shall 
conduct regular monitoring activities to ensure that no children are employed as 
tricycle drivers.  
(i) Consistent with the provisions and objectives of this Act, the LGUs are 
also hereby empowered, through ordinance or as terms or conditions in the 
issuance of MTOP, to define and penalize such acts which constitute as violations 
in relation to the operation of tricycles within their respective jurisdictions. 
SEC. 12. Phase-in of More Efficient Engines. – Within thirty (30) days from 
the issuance of the IRR of this Act, the DOTr and the DOST shall implement a  
continuing  program  to  encourage  manufacturers  to  develop  more  efficient 
engines and cleaner technologies to be used by the tricycle sector. The DTI-Bureau 
of Philippine Standards, in coordination with the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau, LTO and DOST, shall 
prescribe the standards and specifications for tricycle engines to be observed by 
the tricycle sector in pursuit of cleaner technologies and in accordance with 
Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the “Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999.” 
 
SEC. 13. Policy on Impounding of Tricycles. – Tricycles shall not be 
impounded,  confiscated,  or  destroyed  for  mere  violation  of  traffic  rules  and 
regulations, in which case a traffic violation ticket shall be issued to the erring 
driver. 
A tricycle may be impounded under the following circumstances:   
(a) When used to perpetrate a crime;  
(b) If it is operated without an MTOP or with an expired MTOP;  
(c) If it is operated under a fictitious MTOP;  
(d) If operated by a driver without the required Driver’s License: Provided, 
That upon payment of the penalty or fine, the tricycle shall be released to a duly 
licensed driver on behalf of the operator;  
9 


 
(e) If it is not roadworthy or not built nor modified in accordance with the 
design prescribed by the LTO; or  
(f) If it is not compliant with the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 or other 
environmental laws. 
 
SEC. 14. Penalties. –  
(a) A public officer or employee who acts in violation of Sections 5, 6, or 7 
hereof, in addition to criminal liability under existing laws, shall be penalized with 
a penalty of suspension from office for a period of one (1) to six (6) months.  
(b) A public officer who acts in violation of the provisions of Section 13 
hereof shall be administratively liable without prejudice on the part of the 
aggrieved member of the tricycle sector from initiating a criminal or civil action, if 
applicable. 
(c) A driver who operates a tricycle in highways without valid authorization 
as mentioned in Section 5(b) hereof, transports passengers or goods beyond the 
limitations on the number of passengers and on load capacity, or operates a 
tricycle that is not compliant with environmental laws shall be punished by a fine 
of not less than Five hundred pesos (P500.00) but not more than Two thousand 
pesos (P2,000.00). 
(d) A driver who violates other traffic rules or regulations not specifically 
provided herein shall be punished in accordance with applicable traffic laws. 
(e) An operator who operates a tricycle without or with an expired or 
fictitious MTOP or allows a driver to operate a tricycle that is not roadworthy or 
with unauthorized modification affecting vehicle safety, shall be punished by a fine 
of not less than Five hundred pesos (P500.00) but not more than Two thousand 
pesos (P2,000.00) and the impoundment of the tricycle by an enforcement agency 
for a period of two (2) months. The second and succeeding commission of similar 
offenses shall warrant the revocation of the MTOP or perpetual disqualification 
from being issued of the said privilege. 
(f) A driver who operates a tricycle in a fast lane shall be penalized by a fine 
of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00). 
(g) An operator who employs a minor or a driver without the requisite 
license to drive a tricycle shall be penalized in accordance with the fines imposed 
by the LTO for such violation but in no case shall be less than Three thousand 
pesos (P3,000.00). The subsequent violation of similar offense shall warrant the 
revocation of the MTOP: Provided, That in the case of a minor offender, the fine 
shall not be less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00). 
(h) Any  person  who  willfully  interferes  with,  restrains  or  coerces  any 
member of the tricycle sector in the exercise of the latter’s rights or shall in any 
manner act in violation of Section 8 of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished 
10 


 
by a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than Five 
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding one (1) 
year or both, at the discretion of the court: Provided, That if the offender is a public 
official, the court may, in addition to the penalties herein provided, impose the 
penalty of disqualification from office.  
 
SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DOTr shall, in 
coordination with the LTO, LTFRB, SSS, PhilHealth, DOLE, TESDA, DOST, DTI, 
Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works 
and Highways, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the League of Cities of 
the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines and the national 
representative of the tricycle operators and drivers association, issue the IRR of 
this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity. The IRR shall include the 
guidelines for the allocation of the fund for subsidizing the SSS or PhilHealth 
premiums of the members of the tricycle sector and the programs that will benefit 
them. 
 
SEC. 16. Separability Clause. – If for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain 
in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this 
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 18. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved, 
11