NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 333
*22 JUL12 A10 34
RtCEiv'fcD BV
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR TRICYCLE DRIVERS AND 
OPERATORS, INSTITUTIONALIZING MECHANISMS FOR ITS 
IMPLEMENTATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Back in 1985, former President Ferdinand Marcos issued and/or signed Letter 
of Instruction No. 1482 (uLOI 1482") directing the "legalization of colorum motorized 
tricycles." The measure was crafted in recognition of the "role of the tricycles as the 
principal mode of public transport especially in non-urban areas." As such, the 
government tasked the local governments to regulate the tricycles. Up until the 
enactment of the Local Government Code in 1991, the regulation of tricycles had 
been left to the judgment and discretion of local government units C'LGUs"). As of 
today, the regulation of the operation of tricycles and the granting of franchises in 
relation thereto are being carried out by the LGUs thru their respective Sangguniang 
Bayan/Panglungsod, subject to the guidelines prescribed by the Department of 
Transportation (DOTr).
The lack of a uniform set of rules regarding tricycle regulation and the 
granting of permits and franchises had created a scenario in which the LGUs have 
varying and differing requirements and fees. Such a situation has reportedly resulted 
in the tricycle sector being subjected to extortion and unreasonable fees In some 
LGUs as compared to some LGUs with a better set of rules. Moreover, the premise 
that tricycles are only prominent in rural areas no longer holds true as the tricycle is 
very much utilized In Metropolitan Areas all around the country. Furthermore, given
1


the worsening traffic conditions, both in urban and rural areas, conflicting policies as 
regards the operation and routes of tricycles for each and every city or municipality 
make it difficult for the national government to Implement regulations that will curb 
heavy traffic.
It also bears noting that the increase of the number of tricycles for hire in the 
country Is continuously growing each and every year - 591,254 In 2007 and 658,675 
as of 2012 according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. As of 2012, tricycles for 
hire account for 67.9% of the total vehicle for hire population. It could be gleaned 
from these statistics that the demand for tricycles is constantly growing and a good 
number of our countrymen take advantage of demand as they operate/drive 
tricycles as their livelihood or source of additional income.
In view of the foregoing, this measure seeks to provide a uniform set of 
requirements and reasonable fees that shall apply to all LGUs In relation to their 
duties and tasks as regards their supervision and regulation of the operations of 
tricycles In their respective jurisdictions. This bill likewise seeks to ensure the 
protection of individual and organizational rights of those in the tricycle sector and 
require the appropriate government agencies to adopt policies and policies aligned 
with the provisions of this proposed legislative measure, among others.
Thus, the Immediate enactment of this bill is hereby earnestly sought


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE
-^33
S. No.
fe'li'ir
of .:,e
••r.irt'
’22 JUL 12 AlO 34
received S,',
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR TRICYCLE DRIVERS AND 
OPERATORS, INSTITUTIONALIZING MECHANISMS FOR ITS 
IMPLEMENTATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta for
2 
Tricycle Drivers and Operators Act of 2022."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policies. - It is the policy of the State:
4 
a. To nurture and protect the interests of the tricycle sector by providing them
5 
with adequate and timely social, economic and legal services, as well as
6 
mechanisms that shall protect their rights and promote benefits that ensure
7 
their dignified existence and economic advancement;
8 
b. To recognize, promote, protect the rights of every worker In the tricycle
9 
sector including the right to self-organization, the right to decent work, just
10 
and humane working conditions, access to social protection, and the right to
11 
represent their organizations in a continuing process of consultation and
12 
dialogue towards maximizing the provision of a comprehensive package of
13 
reforms, interventions, and services in accordance with their articulated needs
14 
and interests;
15 
c. To promote gender equity and equality through elimination of gender
16 
stereotypes attached to this sector and redefining tricycle drivers as not
17 
merely males but also females;


1 
d. To protect women workers In the tricycle sector against gender-based
2 
discrimination, exploitation, violence and abuse;
3 
e. To progressively eliminate child labor in the tricycle sector through the
4 
creation of more quality jobs for adults, effective enforcement of laws against
5 
child labor, improved access to universal education and elimination of cultural
6 
factors that tolerate child labor; and
7 
f. To develop the local economy through maximization of the potential and
8 
contribution of the tricycle sector.
9 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - Pursuant to this Act, the following terms shall
10 
mean:
11 
a. Coiorum- a private vehicle operated as a public utility without the benefit of
12 
a valid and existing special permit, provisional authority, or franchise;
13 
b. Motorized Tricycie Operators Permit (MTOP)- the permit that authorizes the
14 
holder to operate a tricycle for public transport;
15 
c. Periodic maintenance - the cleaning and replacing of parts that have been
16 
exhausted of their effective service life.
17 
d. Preventive maintenance - the regular cleaning of the engine and other
18 
related parts that affect its performance.
19 
e. Sanggunian- the Sangguniang Panlungsod or the Sangguniang Bayan, as the
20 
case may be;
21 
f. Tricycie - a motor vehicle composed of a motorcycle fitted with a single-
22 
wheel sidecar, or a motorcycle with a two-wheel rear cab, the former having
23 
a total of three wheels and the latter having a total of four wheels, otherwise
24 
known as the motoreia)
25 
g. Tricycie Operators and Drivers' Association or TODA - the organization of
26 
tricycle operators and drivers in a given local government unit.
27 
h. Tricycie Sector - the drivers and operators of tricycles for public
28 
transportation in the Philippines.
29 
Sec. 4. Authority to Reguiate and to Grant MTOP. - Subject to the guidelines
30 
to be prescribed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Land
31 
Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory
32 
Board (LTFRB), the cities and municipalities shall have the power to regulate the


1 
operation of tricycles and grant permits for the operation thereof within their
2 
respective territorial jurisdictions.
3 
Before it can issue the MTOP, the concerned LGU is required to submit a
4 
tricycle operation plan which Includes, among others, the tricycle routes and zones,
5 
designation of terminals and maximum number of tricycles operating within its
6 
jurisdiction. Such plan shall be subject to the approval of the DOTr and must comply
7 
with the guidelines promulgated therefor with the end goal of ensuring overall
8 
efficiency, integration and safety of the transportation system.
9 
Sec. 5. Uniform set of Requirements. - The local government units (LGUs)
10 
having jurisdiction over the city or municipality where the tricycle is registered shall
11 
impose no other requirement, restriction, or condition for its operation except the
12 
following:
13 
a. For safety reasons, no tricycle should operate on national highways utilized by
14 
4-wheel vehicles greater than four (4) tons and where normal speed exceed
15 
forty (40) kilometers per hour. However, the concerned may provide
16 
exceptions if there are no transportation services or modes servicing the said
17 
route, either along the highway or crossing the same, other than tricycles,
18 
subject to the approval of the DOTr: Provided,, however, that when such
19 
operation Is allowed, the LGU is mandated to provide appropriate signages,
20 
marks for lanes and other safety features to guide and protect the tricycles
21 
utilizing the highways.
22 
b. Zones must be within the boundaries of the municipality/city. Existing zones
23 
within more than one municipality or city, however, shall be maintained;
24 
Provided, That operators ser/ing said zones shall secure MTOPs from each of
25 
the municipalities and/or cities having jurisdiction over the areas covered by
26 
the zone.
27 
c. A common color for tricycles-for-hire operating In the same zone may be
28 
Imposed. Each unit shall be assigned and bear an identification number, aside
29 
from its LTO license plate number.
30 
d. An operator wishing to terminate or suspend its service for more than one
31 
month should report in writing such termination or suspension to the
32 
Sanggunian \N\\\ch originally granted the MTOP.


1 
e. The MTOP shall be valid for three (3) years, renewable for the same period.
2 
Transfer to another zone, change of ownership of unit or transfer of MTOP
3 
shall be construed as an amendment to an MTOP and shall require
4 
appropriate approval of the Sanggunian.
5 
f. Operators shall employ only drivers possessing professional licenses duly
6 
issued by the LTO. For this purpose, the LTO shall issue guidelines, including
7 
theoretical and practical examinations, appropriate for drivers of tricycles.
8 
g. No tricycle-for-hire shall be allowed to carry more passengers and/or goods
9 
than it is designed for.
10 
h. A tricycle-for-hire shall be allowed to operate like a taxi service where, aside
11 
from rendering services in the designated terminals, the tricycle can be
12 
flagged-down or engaged by passengers on the road within its authorized
13 
zone of operation.
14 
Sec. 6. Registration. - There shall be a simplified procedure of registration
15 
and issuance of MTOP in accordance with the framework and principles of this Act.
16 
The registration fee for the application for an MTOP shall not exceed One thousand
17 
pesos (P1,000.00). The validity of MTOP shall be for three years. The said fee shall
18 
cover the cost of the issuance of the MTOP, the filing fee, franchise fee, inspection
19 
fee, fare adjustment fee, amendment, regulatory, and all other fees. No other fees
20 
shall be exacted from the tricycle sector business activities or enterprise other than
21 
the registration fee as mentioned above.
22 
Sec. 7. One-Stop Shop for the Tricycle Sector. - All LGUs shall establish a
23 
One-Stop Shop Center for the Tricycle Sector (the "Center'7) which shall handle all
24 
transactions and processing of the business permit applications within their
25 
respective jurisdiction. The Center shall ensure that the processing of the MTOP shall
26 
commence on the day of their application and the registration shall be released
27 
within forty-eight (48) hours upon submission of the complete requirements.
28 
To facilitate efficient and expeditious processing of MTOP applications, LGUs
29 
shall formulate a uniform and simple checklist of requirements for registration such
30 
us valid proof of identity (barangay clearance, certificate of residency, etc.) and
31 
flowchart of the procedure of registration. LGUs shall be responsible in translating
32 
the checklist of requirements and flowchart of procedure of registration in their own


1 
local dialect. LGUs shall cause the posting of the checklist and flowchart of
2 
procedure of registration in at least three (3) conspicuous areas, preferably public
3 
areas, in the community and cause the publication of the same in the local
4 
newspaper if there be any.
5 
Sec. 8. Rights and Benefits of Workers in the Tricycie Sector. - The members
6 
of the tricycle sector shall have the following rights:
7 
a. Self-organization to collectively negotiate with government and other entities
8 
in the promotion of their welfare and advancement of their interests free from
9 
any political interference or favor;
10 
b. Informed participation in decision-making processes relevant to the concerns
11 
of their sector through their legitimate organizations. Towards this end, they
12 
shall be represented In all public hearings for laws, ordinances, or regulations
13 
that will affect their sector;
14 
c. Safe working conditions with access to medical care services and insurance;
15 
d. Freedom from any form of discrimination, violence, exploitation, or
16 
harassment;
17 
e. Freedom from deprivation of property without valid cause and due process of
18 
law;
19 
f. All concerned national government agencies, government financial
20 
institutions, and local government units shall include in their plans, programs,
21 
projects and activities efforts that are supportive of the concerns of the
22 
tricycle sector;
23 
g. Each LGU shall create a grievance mechanism to deal with the concerns of
24 
the members of the tricycle sector;
25 
h. The Social Security System (SSS) and the Philippine Health Insurance
26 
Corporation (PhilHealth) shall, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of
27 
this Act, promulgate guidelines for the mechanism of collecting premiums
28 
from members of the tricycle sector. The SSS shall also inform Its members
29 
from the tricycle sector of loans that they can avail of;
30 
i. Any driver shall not be engaged to work in any hazardous work, activity or
31 
undertaking, and neither 
shall he/she be exposed to hazardous working
32 
conditions; and


1 
j. All persons whether from the private or public sectors are prohibited from
2 
committing acts of interference or coercion against a member of the tricycle
3 
sector, including machinations to influence political and/or religious beliefs of
4 
the member of the tricycle sector.
5 
Sec. 9. Role of the Local Government Unit - Subject to the operating
6 
conditions in this Act and the guidelines to be promulgated by the DOTr, LTO ad
7 
LTFRB, cities and municipalities shall have the following responsibilities:
8 
a. The Municipality or City, after consultation with the small transport groups,
9 
the affected community, and other sectors or groups, shall identify and
10 
designate viable routes and terminals of tricycles within the municipality or
11 
city. Viable terminals shall be In proximity to public buildings, markets,
12 
commercial districts, or commercial establishments and other places which
13 
the public frequently visits.
14 
b. The Sanggunian shall, within ninety (90) days after the consultation in the
15 
preceding paragraph, pass an ordinance designating the viable terminals of
16 
tricycles as specified in this Act. No designation of terminal, however, shall be
17 
conducted without prior consultation with the tricycle sector, the affected
18 
inhabitants and other sectors. LGUs that have already established or
19 
designated routes and terminals of tricycles prior to this Act are deemed to
20 
have complied with this provision of the Act: Provided, That the aforesaid
21 
establishment or designation of terminals have been undertaken after
22 
consultation with the relevant parties.
23 
c. LGUs shall also lead a Tricycle Maintenance Program. This shall be done by
24 
teaching the existing TODAs within their jurisdiction on preventive and
25 
periodic maintenance. Technical and administrative capability shall be sourced
26 
through partnerships with private institutions and through the Department of
27 
Science and Technology (DOST).
28 
d. Vocational education on auto-mechanics and related courses like engine
29 
repair and maintenance shall also be developed by the LGUs in cooperation
30 
with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical
31 
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).


1 
e. There shall be a mandatory Tricycle Drivers Safety Program at the LGU level.
2 
The content and structure of the Tricycle Drivers Safety Program shall be
3 
formulated by the DOTr, LTO, LTFRB and other relevant government
4 
agencies. The LGU shall require all tricycle drivers within its jurisdiction to
5 
undergo this orientation. To complement this, the LTO and LTFRB shall
6 
include a Motorist Awareness Program in all its safety trainings.
7 
f. LGUs shall also eliminate illegal or colorum tricycle units.
8 
g. LGUs shall provide for alternative livelihood and skllls-tralning programs to
9 
allow tricycle drivers to explore more economically rewarding sources of
10 
income.
11 
h. LGUs shall pursue and implement a comprehensive, rights-based,
12 
participatory and gender responsive framework for workers in the tricycle
13 
sector that Includes but is not limited to:
14 
1) Putting In place policies and programs that will bring members of the
15 
tricycle sector to the economic and social mainstream;
16 
2) Pursuing structural reforms in all relevant levels of LGUs by creating
17 
committees, special offices for development and protection of workers
18 
in the tricycle sector and supporting their representational rights
19 
through their organizations;
20 
3) Extending coverage of accessible and affordable social security and
21 
health care benefits to workers in the tricycle sector; and
22 
4) Exacting responsibility on the part of the tricycle sector workers
23 
provided that the state shall recognize their rights and put in place
24 
responsive, transparent and accountable mechanisms to ensure the
25 
protection, promotion and realization of those rights.
26 
Sec. 10. Policy on Impounding of Vehicle and Imposabie Penalties. - Tricycles
27 
shall not be impounded, confiscated or destroyed for mere violation of license or
28 
registration or traffic rules and regulations, unless the said vehicle was utilized in the
29 
conduct of criminal activities. In case of mere violation of traffic rules and
30 
regulations, a traffic violation ticket shall be issued to the erring driver without
31 
impounding the said vehicle.


1 
The responsible person or officer who violated this Section shall be
2 
administratively liable under this Act. Nothing herein shall prohibit the aggrieved
3 
member of the tricycle sector from initiating a criminal or civil action against the
4 
responsible person or officer whenever such action is applicable.
5 
The imposable penalties for tricycle drivers who are found to violate traffic
6 
rules or regulations shall be limited to fifty percent of the fine or penalty that can be
7 
Imposed on drivers of four-wheeled vehicles.
8 
Sec. 11. Phase-in of More Efficient Engines. - Within thirty (30) days after the
9 
effectivlty of this Act, the DOST and the DOTr shall partner to create a continuous
10 
program to develop more efficient engines and cleaner technologies that may be
11 
used by the tricycle sector, at the own Initiative or volition of tricycle drivers and/or
12 
operators.
13 
Sec. 12. Coordination between Locai Government Units and the DOTr - The
14 
implementation of the national policy as regards curbing traffic must be taken into
15 
consideration in the enforcement of this Act. The DOTr shall ensure that its
16 
guidelines for the regulation of tricycles by LCDs must be mindful of the state of
17 
traffic in the country. Furthermore, the DOTr must efficiently and meaningfully
18 
coordinate closely with the LCDs as regards the regulation of the tricycle sector.
19 
Sec. 13. Mandatory Membership in SSS and Phiiheaith, Life and Accident
20 
Insurance, and Legai Assistance. - The SSS and the PhllHealth shall, within ninety
21 
(90) days from the effectivlty of this Act, promulgate guidelines for the mechanism
22 
of collecting premiums from members of the tricycle sector.
23 
Tricycle drivers shall, in addition to SSS and healthcare coverage, be provided
24 
accident Insurance coverage to compensate for damage or injury acquired such as
25 
death, disability, limb amputations, loss of sight, hearing, and speech, including the
26 
loss of thumb or the index finger.
27 
Tricycle drivers are also entitled to legal assistance In the exercise and pursuit
28 
of their rights herein granted.
29 
Sec. 14. Funding. - An initial appropriation of One Billion Pesos
30 
(P1,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for this Act. Thereafter, the amount
31 
needed for the effective implementation of this Act shall be included in the General
32 
Appropriations Act.
8


1 
Sec. 15. Penalties. -
2 
a. Any person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain or coerce any member of
3 
the tricycle sector in the exercise of his/her rights, or shall in any manner act
4 
in violation of Sections 8, 9 or 10 of this Act shall, upon conviction, be
5 
punished by a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) but not
6 
more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) or imprisonment not
7 
exceeding one (1) year or both, at the discretion of the court.
8 
b. A driver who operates a tricycle without the necessary MTOP to be observed
9 
by the tricycle sector in pursuit of cleaner technologies and in accordance
10 
with Republic Act No. 8479, otherwise known as the "Clean Air Act", including
11 
any who incurs delinquency in payment of fees that is tantamount to an
12 
incomplete application for an MTOP, operates in highways without valid
13 
authorization, transports passenger and/or goods beyond the limitations on
14 
the number of passengers and on load capacity, or operates a tricycle not
15 
compliant with environmental laws shall be punished by a fine of not less than
16 
Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) but not more than Two Thousand Pesos
17 
(P2,000.00) or the impoundment of the tricycle by an enforcement agency for
18 
a period of two (2) months.
19 
c. An operator who operates without the necessary MTOP or authority to
20 
operate in highways or employs a driver without the requisite license to drive
21 
a tricycle, including those below the age of majority, or allows a driver to
22 
operate a tricycle that is not roadworthy or with unauthorized modification
23 
affecting vehicle safety, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Five
24 
Hundred Pesos (P500.00) but not more than Two Thousand Pesos
25 
(P2,000.00). The second and succeeding offenses shall warrant the
26 
revocation of the MTOP or franchise and the perpetual disqualification from
27 
being issued the said privilege.
28 
d. If the offender is a public official, the court may, in addition to the penalties
29 
provided in the preceding paragraph, impose the penalty of disqualification
30 
from office.
31 
Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOTr, in coordination
32 
with the LTO, LTFRB, SSS, PhilHealth, DOLE, TESDA, DOST, DTI and the


1 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), shall issue the
2 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this Act within ninety (90) days from
3 
its effectivity. The IRR shall include the guidelines for the allocation of the fund for
4 
subsidizing the SSS or PhilHealth premiums of the members of the tricycle sector
5 
and the programs that will benefit them.
6 
Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid
7 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected
8 
shall remain valid and subsisting.
9 
Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or Issuance,
10 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, ordinance, or
11 
regulation contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby
12 
repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
13 
Sec. 19. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
14 
its publication In at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
10