NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of the
72 JUL “7 P2 35
SENATE
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
PROVIDING A FRAMEWORK FOR A COMMUTER-CENTERED 
TRANSPORTATION POLICY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES1
EXPLANATORY NOTE
"An advanced city is not one where even the poor use cars/ but
rather one where even the rich use pubiic transport."
- Enrique Pehalosa, former Mayor of Bogota, Colombia (2013)
The transportation system in the Greater Capital Region (GCR)- which is 
composed of Metro Manila plus the adjoining provinces of Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan, and 
Laguna - is dominated by the automobile. The process of how this came about, 
known among academics as "automobilisation" is intricately tied to the development 
of the GCR, as well as to the present traffic crisis; or to parody a Stanley Kubrick 
movie, the story of transportation of Metro Manila is that of "How We Learned to 
Stop Worrying and Love the Car".
One concrete example is the bias towards road-based connectivity between 
Metro Manila and its adjoining provinces. In the 1970's, key cities and municipalities 
In Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite became a "catchment area" for Metro Manila's
1 We are grateful for the assistance of the AIt.Mobility Network, and of Mr. Arjan Aguirre of the 
Ateneo de Manila University-Department of Political Science In drafting this measure.


unmanaged urban sprawl.2 These areas became "bedroom communities" due to the 
emergence of residential subdivisions which catered to workers who wanted to live 
near, but not in, Metro Manila.3 The policy response was to improve road-based 
transport - that is, more roads for private cars, buses, and jeepneys - instead of rail- 
based mass transit.4
This is in direct contrast to the rail-centered development of other cities in 
Asia. One example is the establishment of Kohoku New Town in Japan. Designed to 
"prevent indiscriminate development", the city was established 25 km away from 
Tokyo and 12 km away from Yokohama but was connected to the two cities via 
subway.5 Another example is the development of Tsukuba Science City, which was 
designed to decongest the Tokyo Metropolitan Area by relocating research and 
education institutes. Tsukuba Science City is located 50 km away from Tokyo, but is 
connected via commuter rail.6
The difference between the two models is clear. In Japan, citizens proudly 
take rail transport, which are maintained to ensure precise arrival and departure 
times. The automobile is mostly a luxury. In the GCR, citizens live and die by the 
automobile. They waste 28,000 hours of their lives in traffic.7 That's 3 years not 
spent, in the words of popular 80's band The Police, "Packed like lemmings into 
shiny metal boxes/Contestants in a suicidal race."
The irony is that the automobilization of Metro Manila is detrimental to the 
majority of its residents. According to the Japan International Cooperation Agency 
(JICA), around 70% of all total trips in Metro Manila are done through public
2 National Economic and Development Authority Region 4A (NEDA R4A). Regional Development Plan 
for Region 4A, 2017-2022
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Roadmap For Transport Infrastructure Development 
For Metro Manila And Its Surrounding Areas (Region Hi & Region Iv-A ) (2014)
6 Ibid.
7 Ordinario, C. "Pinoys waste 28,000 hours in 'traffic'" Business World (5 March 2015). Retrieved from 
http://www.buslnessmirror.com.ph/pinovs-waste-28000-hours-in-traffic/


transport.8 This means that most residents of the National Capital Region are 
commuters who opt to use public transportation instead of car ownership. And yet 
private vehicles take up close to 80% of road space.9 It is the transport equivalent of 
the Pareto principle: 20% of road users take up 80% of the road. Manila residents 
are caught in a dilemma: either they buy a car and get stuck In traffic, or they take 
public transportation and still get stuck in traffic.
They only way forward Is to shift from a road-biased to a commuter-centered 
policy. We need to spend less on roads, and spend more on getting people off the 
roads. We need to shift from a car-centric public policy and infrastructure to 
sustainable transport and mobility which provides safe access and mobility to all, 
promotes economic development, protects and preserves the environment, and 
uplifts the life of the Filipino commuter.
Thus, this representation has filed the present "Commuters' Welfare Act". This 
measure seeks to provide a legal framework which will enumerate and uphold the 
rights of the commuting public. It asserts that mobility is a right; a basic human 
need that people of all ages, abilities, gender, and economic status she* ild be able to 
enjoy with no fear for their personal safety, security, or health. Pursuant thereof, the 
State shall ensure the following minimum standards for mobility:
a. Waiting time for ail public transport services should be less than 10 minutes 
during peak demand periods;
b. Proper stops or terminals for public transport services should be available 
within 500 meters of residences, schools, offices, commercial areas, and other 
activity centers within cities;
c. Public transport services should have stops and terminals that are properly 
equipped, adequately sized, and well-maintained;
d. Public transport should be prioritized on roads, such that services are able to 
travel 15 kilometers within 1 hour; and
8 JICA, 2014.
9 Ibid. ;


e. Mobility policies and projects should be Inclusive and accessible to people of
all ages, abilities, gender, and economic status.
The Act also provides a mechanism for enforcing these rights. It seeks to 
establish the Office for Commuter Affairs for better coordination among agencies, to 
operate help desks for the commuting public, and to get adequate representation 
from commuters and other stakeholders In light of the foregoing, immediate 
passage of this measure is eagerly sought.
This measure Is part of my package of bills which seek to promote and 
institutionalize the paradigm of "Inclusive mobility" in transport planning.
In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill Is earnestly sought.
GRACE POE
ri '


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
SENATE 
s. No. 106
©enitte
of tl)P pmrp
’22 JUL-7 P2 35
RECEIVED 8V;
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
PROVIDING A FRAMEWORK FOR A COMMUTER-CENTERED 
TRANSPORTATION POLICY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1 
Section 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known as 'The Commuters' Welfare
2 
Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It Is the declared policy of the State to
4 
guarantee the rights of all sectors, particularly the commuting sector to participate In
5 
the policy and decision making processes affecting their rights, welfare, and
6 
privileges. Mobility is a basic human need; commuters have rights to travel safely,
7 
conveniently, and reliably. Without mobility, citizens are unable to access basic
8 
services such as healthcare and education, or enjoy fundamental freedoms.
9 
Moreover, mobility should be enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities, gender, and
10 
economic status, not only by those who are physically fit, with private motor vehicles
11 
or with financial means.
12 
To attain the foregoing policy, the State shall provide the necessary
13 
mechanisms, human and financial resources, and legal measures to enable its
14 
citizens to enjoy fully the rights embodied in this Act. The State also reaffirms the
15 
right of all citizens to participate in the policy formulation, planning, implementation.


1 
management, monitoring and evaluation of all institutions, programs, projects and
2 
services related to upholding the rights of commuters.
3 
In ail decisions related to the provision of mobility infrastructure and
4 
transportation services, the welfare of the commuter shall be the paramount
5 
objective. While the Interests of the transportation Industry, private motor vehicle
6 
users, and other stakeholders should also be considered in any decision, these
7 
Interests should be secondary to the welfare of the commuting public.
8 
Sec. 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:
9 
a. Active Transport- refers to non-motorized means of travel, including walking
10 
or using a bicycle;
11 
b. Activity Center - refers to a place in a city or municipality where people gather
12 
regularly for work, worship, education, social events, trade, exercise, leisure
13 
or other common interests and purposes;
14 
c. Advance Notice - refers to the provision of early information regarding any
15 
consultations with stakeholders, for which the period from the announcement
16 
or delivery of the invitation to the consultation event will be a minimum of 10
17 
working days;
18 
d. Commuter- refers to a person that needs to travel from one place to another,
19 
often using a combination of transportation modes to get to his/her
20 
destination;
21 
e. Greenway - refers to a road, street, or path with ample greenery and shade
22 
where private motorized transport is not allowed, that also serves as
23 
recreational space or a public park, in order to welcome and encourage
24 
environmentally sustainable transportation modes, especially walking and
25 
cycling;
26 
f. High-Voiume Transport Corridor - refers to walkways, paths, roads, bridges,
27 
streets or mass transportation terminals where the flow of people is at least
28 
2,000 persons per hour per direction during peak travel periods;
29 
g. Micro mobility - refers to travel using electronic or non-motorized vehicles
30 
weighing not more than 100 kg;
31 
h. Mobility - refers to the ability of a person to travel from one place to another
32 
to conduct dally and extraordinary activities and business;


1 
i. Mobility Infrastructure - refers to physical facilities, such as foot paths, bicycle
2 
lanes, roads, PUV loading/unloading bays, PUV terminals, and public transport
3 
systems, that support and enhance a person's mobility;
4 
j. Private Motorized Transport - refers to motorized vehicles weighing more than
5 
100 kg;
6 
k. Public Transport - refers to public sector and franchised private sector
7 
services that transport people over land or water, including jeepneys, UVs,
8 
buses, minibuses, railways, ferries, taxis and tricycles; and
9 
I. Urbanized Municipality - refers to a municipality In the Philippines where the
10 
aggregate area in the municipality zoned as residential, commercial or
11 
Industrial exceeds 40% of the total land area of the municipality.
12 
ARTICLE II
13 
RIGHTS OF COMMUTERS
14 
Sec. 4. Right to Public Transportation Services that Satisfy Commuters'
15 
Mobility Requirements. - The State shall ensure that adequate public transportation
16 
services are available to meet the needs of Its citizens. Public transportation services
17 
and infrastructure plans and programs should be prepared and updated on an
18 
annual basis In order to satisfy the evolving mobility requirements in our
19 
communities, especially in urban areas.
20 
It will be the responsibility of metropolitan authorities and local government
21 
units to measure analyze and update the mobility requirements in each locality and
22 
to develop plans and programs to address the mobility requirements of their citizens.
23 
The State shall ensure that:
24 
a. Every town and municipality will have a community-wide network of safe
25 
sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and roads to enable travel around the city entirely by
26 
foot, bicycle or by other forms of light mobility;
27 
b. Public Transport services are available within a 500-meter walk from any
28 
residence or activity center in a city;
29 
c. Public Transport services are connected to another public service within a
30 
300-meter walk to promote seamless connectivity;
31 
d. Public Transport services are in sufficient quantity and frequency so that
32 
commuter waiting time at stops and terminals do not exceed 10 minutes


1 
during peak demand periods; Public Transport is accorded priority in the use
2 
of road space and traffic signal operation so that it is able to traverse 15
3 
kilometers within 1 hour, including all scheduled stops;
4 
e. Public Transport services are supported by properly equipped, adequatelyS
5 
sized and well-maintained terminals and stops, with attention to the safety
6 
and comfort of commuters;
7 
f. Every road with a speed limit of over 20 kph and under 60 kph shall feature
8 
dedicated pedestrian Infrastructure, in the form of an unobstructed walking
9 
path of at least 2.5 meters wide in each direction;
10 
g. Every road with a speed limit of under 60 kph shall feature dedicated bike
11 
lanes which are wide enough to comfortably accommodate at least two bikes
12 
side by side;
13 
h. Transport services are inclusive, so that they are accessible to persons of all
14 
ages and abilities. Public Transport infrastructure and vehicles shall be
15 
designed and implemented so that persons with disabilities or special needs
16 
are not excluded from their use.
17 
I. In all renovations of existing infrastructure or construction of new
18 
infrastructure, preserving or improving the travel time impact on Public
19 
Transport, bicycles, and pedestrians shall be prioritized over preserving or
20 
improving travel time impact on private motorized transport. The State shall
21 
generally avoid the implementation of projects that produce a positive impact
22 
on the travel time of users of private motorized modes at large expense to
23 
Public Transport, bicycles, and pedestrians.
24 
Sec. 5. Right to Safe/ Convenient and Affordable Public Transport Services. -
25 
The State shall ensure that Public Transport services are safe, dignified, convenient,
26 
comfortable and reliable, while remaining affordable to the general public.
27 
Concessional or discounted fares shall be offered for disadvantaged or special
28 
groups (i.e., students, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, poor households).
29 
The State shall provide subsidies to compensate for discounts offered to special or
30 
disadvantaged groups.
31 
The State shall reward the use of Public Transport via financial and non-
32 
financial incentives to promote the frequent use of Public Transport. The State shall


1 
ensure that it is more economical for commuters to use Public Transport more
2 
frequently rather than less frequently.
3 
The State shall apply financial and non-financlal disincentives to reduce the
4 
use of private motorized transport. Funding earned from such disincentives must be
5 
utilized for funding of Mobility Infrastructure in favor of Active Transport and Public
6 
Transport. The State shall ensure that it is more economical for commuters to use
7 
Active Transport or Public Transport more frequently than to use private motorized
8 
transport.
9 
During periods when transportation services are deficient, the State shall
10 
employ alternative approaches for enabling additional mobility options for Its
11 
citizens, Including through the use of public resources to fill temporary gaps in
12 
services, such as through government-owned vehicles or through the government
13 
charter or lease of private vehicles.
14 
The State will promote safe and efficient driving behavior by Public Transport
15 
drivers through mandatory trainings and more stringent licensing. All Public
16 
Transport vehicles will be required to install electronic vehicle tracking devices and
17 
CCTVs that will enable concerned authorities to conduct real-time monitoring of
18 
vehicle location, vehicle speed, and driver status. Dangerous on-street competition
19 
and behavior among Public Transport drivers shall be eliminated through the
20 
removal of any Incentive for drivers that is related to ridership or fare revenue.
21 
Streets must be designed In accordance with international best practices in road
22 
safety design to reduce the occurrence of dangerous driving behavior.
23 
Sec. 6. Right to Infrastructure for Pedestrians, Cyciists and Persons with
24 
Disabilities. - The State shall accord priority to the development of adequate
25 
sidewalks and networks of bicycle lanes that encourage Active Transport and that
26 
provide safe and direct access to priority destinations such as housing, education,
27 
and business centers as well as Public Transport nodes.
28 
The State shall ensure that all Public Transport stops are accessible to
29 
persons with disabilities and impaired movement. The State shall ensure that ease of
30 
access by pedestrians especially at Public Transport stops and government facilities
31 
is prioritized over mobility of private motorized transport.


1 
The State shall ensure that safe and adequate walking and cycling
2 
infrastructure is incorporated in the design and implementation of road transport
3 
projects at national and local government levels. The State shall ensure that the
4 
Comprehensive Land Use Plan of every city includes the development of a city-wide
5 
network of safe sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and roads lanes to enable travel around the
6 
city entirely by foot, bicycle or by other forms of light mobility.
7 
The State shall ensure that travel by walking or cycling is no less direct to
8 
destinations than travel by private motorized transport. No commuter shall be made
9 
to travel above or below street level to cross any street or Intersection if it Is possible
10 
to implement an at-grade crossing. No commuter, when traveling by walking or
11 
cycling, shall be made to diverge from his or her route of travel if a commuter
12 
traveling by private motorized vehicle would have enjoyed a more direct trip.
13 
The State shall require all government offices and buildings to have shower
14 
facilities for the use of commuters. If these buildings receive citizens in the delivery
15 
of front-line services, these shower facilities must be open to the public. The State
16 
shall offer incentives to private sector for the provision of shower facilities in their
17 
offices and buildings.
18 
In Philippine cities and urbanized municipalities, the State shall ensure that
19 
the infrastructure of each barangay includes:
20 
a. Safe foot paths or sidewalks, free of obstructions, welLprotected from
21 
automobiles, compliant with universal design guidelines, and accessible by
22 
pregnant women, elderly, and persons with strollers or wheelchairs;
23 
b. Networks of greenways to encourage active transport modes (walking and
24 
cycling)
25 
c. Proper lighting on all roads and footpaths to allow safe travel even after dark;
26 
d. Tactile paving on sidewalks of high-volume transport corridors for the benefit
27 
of pedestrians who are blind;
28 
e. Bicycle racks in every transportation hub or terminal and In every commercial,
29 
community and activity center. Such racks shall be provided at street level if
30 
possible, and at most one level above or below the street; and
31 
f. Safe Intersections and pedestrian crossings such as provision of raised
32 
pedestrian platforms, highly visible advance warning signages, adequate


1 
street lighting, mid crossing refuges, traffic calming for motorized vehicles
2 
and curb outstands to reduce road pavement crossing width.
3 
The State shall not require parking for cars to be built in any buildings, and
4 
shall encourage commercial development and the built environment 
to
5 
accommodate non-car travel. The State shall promote light mobility by requiring that
6 
buildings provide bicycle racks that can accommodate 10% of the anticipated users
7 
of any building.
8 
The State shall adopt the Vision Zero In road safety and ensure that road
9 
crashes are eliminated particularly those of vulnerable road users. The State shall
10 
Implement a comprehensive road safety program and will allocate funding to
11 
implement activities under the five pillars of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan
12 
namely Road Safety Management, Safer Roads, Safer Vehicles, Safer Road Users,
13 
and Post-Crash Response. The State must also create a National Road Safety Unit
14 
under the Department of Transportation and must also implement a national road
15 
crash database for road safety planning.
16 
Sec. 7. Right to a Fair Share of Public Road Space. - The State will ensure
17 
that public road space is used in a manner that delivers the greatest socio-economic
18 
benefit. The State shall ensure that safety of road users, especially non-motorized
19 
and vulnerable users, shall be prioritized over the mobility of motorized modes of
20 
transport. The State shall employ treatments to the design, engineering and
21 
operation of road Infrastructure in order to achieve the goal of road safety and
22 
access for non-motorized and vulnerable users.
23 
Because roads are a scarce public asset, the State shall ensure that road
24 
space Is prioritized for modes of travel (e.g., public transport, walking, cycling, etc.)
25 
that move more people and maximize the productivity and social benefit of the
26 
public asset. The planning and design of roads must prioritize the needs of
27 
pedestrians, micromobility users, and Public Transport users above the needs of
28 
private motor vehicles. Public Transport shall have priority use of road space over
29 
private motor vehicles.
30 
The State will ensure that there is no private appropriation of public road
31 
space and foot paths for parking, commerce or other activities that will restrict public
32 
use of, or access to, the road.


1 
Sec. 8. Right to Breathe Clean Air During Travel. - The State shall take
2 
measures to ensure that commuters are able to travel using Public Transport or
3 
active transport (walking or cycling) without compromising their health.
4 
The State shall ensure that all Public Transport vehicles comply with the
5 
emission standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
6 
(DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTT), and/or the Land Transportation
7 
Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), whichever is more stringent.
8 
The State shall provide programs which reduce the volume of motorized
9 
vehicles to reduce vehicle-related pollution emissions. The State shall also provide
10 
facilities and programs which support and incentivize the use of cleaner alternative
11 
fuels. Recognizing that non-exhaust emissions make up a significant portion of total
12 
pollutant emissions and that the levels of such emissions are dependent on vehicle
13 
weight, the State shall provide programs that encourage the reduction of average
14 
vehicle weight and encourage citizens to commute using cycling or other lighter
15 
vehicles.
16 
The State will measure air quality along the major transport corridors in all
17 
cities and provide this information to the public In real time. When air quality
18 
exceeds safe levels according to internationally-accepted standards, particularly from
19 
the World Health Organization, the State will activate emergency procedures with
20 
the aim of reducing the exposure of the public, especially the young and the elderly,
21 
to unclean air.
22 
Sec. 9. Right to Information for Efficient and Convenient Travel. - The State
23 
will provide timely and adequate information so that commuters are able to make
24 
good travel plans and choices about modes and routes. The State shall make
25 
publicly available information on all Public Transport services, including route maps,
26 
fares, schedules, and real time vehicle location and availability, for the convenience
27 
of commuters. The State shall ensure that such information is prominently displayed
28 
at all stops of public transport services and at other locations deemed necessary or
29 
beneficial to commuters.
30 
The State will establish technical standards and regulations for the display of
31 
street maps at strategic locations in each neighborhood, for the reference of
32 
residents and visitors.


1 
The State will ensure thatA at all ports, airports, and terminals, a 24-hour
2 
information/assistance counter will be available to serve the needs of travellers.
3 
The State shall establish a National Transport Data and Planning Center
4 
(NTDPC) which will collect and process the mobility data for evidence-based
5 
transport planning which can quickly adapt to the evolving mobility requirements In
6 
our communities. The NTDPC shall ensure that data in aid of policy and research on
7 
mobility be open and be made available to the public. These kinds of data include
8 
reliable and accurate road crash data in http://roadsafety.gov.ph, air pollution levels,
9 
and Public Transport routes and travel time information, among others.
10 
Sec. 10. Right to Special Attention During Service Breakdowns and to
11 
Compensation for Deficiencies in Service. - The State shall ensure that, in case of a
12 
breakdown in a Public Transport service, passengers will be entitled to receive from
13 
the transport operator a full refund of the fare and assistance in securing onward
14 
journeys. Stranded passengers should be informed in a timely manner about
15 
how they will be redirected to their final destination. If onward journeys are
16 
unavailable for more than one (1) hour, the transport operator should provide food,
17 
water, and access to a waiting area with restrooms and ventilation.
18 
Any student or employee should not be penalized for arriving late by their
19 
school or employer if the reason for their tardiness was a disruption in a Public
20 
Transport service.
21 
Sec. 11. Right to Representation and Participation. - The State shall ensure
22 
that the welfare and interest of commuters are considered In all decision-making
23 
related to mobility and transportation services. To this end, commuters have a right
24 
to advance notice and information on any proposed policy, regulation, project or
25 
service at local or national level that affect their mobility, including full details on
26 
how they will be affected by the proposed initiative. Affected commuters have a
27 
right to provide their comments and suggestions of the proposed initiative. Affected
28 
commuters must receive a response to such comments from the concerned public
29 
official within twenty (20) working days.
30 
If a public consultation will be held regarding any initiative affecting the
31 
mobility of commuters, the consultation meeting shall be held at a time, even on a
32 
weekend or after office hours, and at a convenient and accessible venue that will


1 
maximize the participation and feedback from affected commuters. In parallel,
2 
commuter feedback shall be solicited through social media and other channels for
3 
information exchange.
4 
ARTICLE III
5 
INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS
6 
Sec. 12. Establishment of the Office of Commuter Affairs. - An Office of
7 
Commuter Affairs shall be established at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) at
8 
the national level, as well as In all city and municipal government units. The Office of
9 
Commuter Affairs shall be under the direct supervision of an Assistant Secretary at
10 
the national level, and a city/municipal administrator at the local level.
11 
Sec. 13. Functions and Responsibilities of the Office of Commuter Affairs -
12 
The Office of Commuter Affairs shall be tasked to perform the following functions
13 
and responsibilities:
14 
a. Coordinate with the respective government agencies dealing with road, rail,
15 
air, and maritime transportation policy to ensure safe, efficient and
16 
comfortable travel of commuters;
17 
b. Operate Help Desks for the riding public;
18 
c. Assist the commuters whenever the safety and efficiency of travel is
19 
compromised;
20 
d. Undertake massive commuter education programs for the travelling public to
21 
know their rights and responsibilities;
22 
e. Ensure legal assistance for commuters, when necessary; and
23 
f. Ensure adequate representation of commuters In any public consultation that
24 
will impact on the welfare and interest of commuters.
25 
Sec. 14. Implementing Agencies. — The Department of Transportation
26 
(DOTr), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of
27 
Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Metropolitan Manila Development
28 
Authority (MMDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
29 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and concerned local government units
30 
shall be the Implementing Agencies for this Act, with DOTr as the lead implementing
31 
agency with responsibility for coordinating and monitoring all implementation
32 
activities.
10


f.
1 
The State shall ensure that the core concepts of this framework are
2 
integrated in the annual government budget process. The State shall ensure that
3 
compliance with the provisions of this Act are included in the annual performance
4 
targets of all relevant national and local government agencies. The State shall
5 
ensure that the Implementing Agencies will annually be allocated budget to
6 
strengthen organizational capacities and to sufficiently fund the establishment and
7 
operations of the NTDPC, the Office of Commuter Affairs, and other related offices.
8 
The State shall ensure that relevant technical standards, guidelines, and
9 
manuals of national and local agencies are amended to incorporate all requirements
10 
under this Act.
11 
Sec. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred eighty
12 
(180) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOTr and the other implementing
13 
agencies will prepare the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act, with
14 
the participation of non-government organizations, civil society organizations and
15 
academic Institutions that champion the welfare of commuters.
16 
Sec. 16. Pena! Provisions. - Any person or government agency who has found
17 
to be in violation of any of the provisions of this Act shall be fined not less than Two
18 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand
19 
Pesos (P500,000.00).
20 
If the offender is a public official, he/she shall be dismissed from government
21 
service, in addition to the penalties above stated.
22 
Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - Any portion or provisions of this Act that may
23 
be declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other
24 
portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can
25 
still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.
26 
Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
27 
memoranda, circulars and other Issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent
28 
with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
29 
Sec. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
30 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
11