HOUSE % acPRESENTATMED

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTA) NES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGR hesinnoes OnsT

First Regular Sessior AND INDEX SERVICE

HOUSE BILL NO, _729

Introduced by: HON. MAXIMO B. DALOG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Bill seeks to stop the collection of fees from passengers for the use
of the comfort rooms and service facilities in bus terminals/bus stations, bus
stops and rest areas.

Article 1755 of the New Civil Code of the Philippines states that a
common carrier is bound to carry the passengers safely as far as human care
and foresight can provide, using the utmost diligence of very cautious
persons, with a due regard for all the circumstances.

In addition, Presidential Decree No. 856 otherwise known as the “Code
on Sanitation,” states as one of its basis, the need of providing for an
adequate number of rest areas for passengers of public and private
conveyances plying the highways to cater to the comfort and personal
convenience and needs of travellers.

The maintenance of these comfort rooms and service facilities is part of
the services for human care of common carriers. Thus, additional payment for
maintenance of these facilities should not be imposed on the riding public. In
addition, the collection of fees for the use of comfort rooms and service
facilities is an added burden to riding public; hence, making travel within the
country more expensive.

For the benefit of the riding public who patronize these common
carriers, the collection of fees from the passengers using the comfort rooms
and service facilities in the bus terminals/bus stations, bus stops and rest
areas should be stopped immediately.

Considering the beneficial effects to the riding public, approval of the Bill

is immediately sought.
ALOG


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _2&9

Introduced by: HON. MAXIMO B. DALOG

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE COLLECTION OF FEES FROM
PASSENGERS FOR THE USE OF SANITARY FACILITIES LOCATED IN
THE LAND TRANSPORTATION TERMINALS, STATIONS, STOPS AND

REST AREAS

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

Sec. 1. Declaration of Policy.- Section 15, Article || of the Philippine
Constitution declares: “The State shall protect and promote the right to health
of the people and instill health consciousness among them.” The right of every
establishment to a fair return of investment carries with it a corresponding
social responsibility to provide adequate facilities for the comfort of its
clientele. Towards this end, the State shall require the owners, operators and
administrators of land transport terminals, stations, stops and rest areas to
provide and maintain suitable and clean sanitary facilities, free of charge to
passengers and travelers.

Sec. 2. Definition of Terms.- As used in this Act, the following terms
shall mean:

a. Land transport terminal/station refers to a passenger station and a place
for the final stopover or a permanent station, office and yard of public
utility vehicles, which may also serve as loading and unloading area for
passengers;

b. Land transport stop refers to a common place for the stopover of public
utility vehicles located along the highways or regular route for transport
in long distance travel;

c. Rest area refers to a facility located at a strategic point along the
national highway or route of the traveling public which is provided with



parking space, restaurants or snack bars, other business shops,
recreational facilities, service stations, public restroom facilities or
waiting sheds for travelers or commuters; and

d. Sanitary facilities refer to a set of facilities that include at least a
combination of comfort room, hand-washing and drinking facilities.

Sec. 3. Prohibition Against Imposing and Collecting Fees .- It shall
be unlawful for the owner, operator or administrator of land transport
terminals, stations, stops and rest areas to collect fees from passengers for
the use of regular sanitary facilities therein. For the purpose of this Act, the
concerned passenger must show the paid bus ticket for the day in order to
avail of the free use of the sanitary facility: Provided, however, That the
provisions of this Act shall not apply to separate, well-appointed or deluxe
sanitary facilities that are operated solely for commercial purposes and for the
convenience of passengers who require and prefer such facilities within land
transport terminals, stations, stops or rest areas.

Sec. 4. Penalty; Review of Penalty- Any owner, operator or
administrator of land transport terminals, stations, stops and rest areas who
violates the prohibition under Section 3 of this Act shall be liable for a fine in
the amount of five thousand pesos (P5,000.00).

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)
shall, after five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act and once every five (5)
years thereafter, review the applicability and enforcement of the fine
prescribed in the preceding paragraph and the necessary adjustments on the
amount of the fine imposed subject to the approval of the Secretary of the
Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- The DOTC and the
LTFRB shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, jointly
promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations to carry out the
provisions of this Act.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause.- All laws, decrees, executive orders or parts
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,