EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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S E N A T E
S. B. No. 1025
']9 SEP-9 P5:04
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Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
ALLOWING AND REGULATING THE USE OF MOTORCYCLES AS PUBLIC 
U TILITY VEHICLES, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
4136, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LAND TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC 
CODE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Currently, the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, or Republic Act 4136, only 
allows the registration of motorcycles for either private or government use, outlawing 
its listing as a vehicle for hire. However, individuals, and even unaccredited transport 
groups, continue to utilize motorcycles for public transport despite the explicit 
prohibition of such operation under the same law.
Motorcycles-for-hire or habal-habal have been long used, even becoming a 
primary mode of public transportation in the provinces. Without mandatory 
specifications for safety, these motorcycles are modified to accommodate up to 11 
passengers which undoubtedly endanger not only passengers, but also other motorists 
and pedestrians on the road.
In recent years, transport network vehicle service (TNVS) companies begun 
offering a similar motorcycle-for-hire service as an alternative to ride-sharing schemes 
in cities and surrounding urban areas. The worsening traffic congestion in main 
thoroughfares still forces commuters to use motorcycle ride-hailing apps as a fast and 
affordable option to reach their destination on time, in spite of being unregulated.
In recognition of this growing public need, this measure legalizes the use of 
motorcycles-for-hire by amending the Land Transportation and Traffic Code to finally 
permit public utility motorcycles. The regulation extended by this Bill establishes


motorcycle-for-hire service as a legitimate livelihood and as a legally-recognized mode 
of public transportation that protects both operators and passengers.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
(SUitf o( tijf jen'crctarp
S E N A T E
S. B. No. 1 025
T9 SEP-9 P5 -04
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
ALLOWING AND REGULATING THE USE OF MOTORCYCLES AS PUBLIC 
U TILITY VEHICLES, AMENDING FOR THIS 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 House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Motorcycles-for-Hire A ct"
2 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to render basic
3 
services to the people and promote their safety and general welfare. Toward this end,
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the use of motorcycles as an alternative mode of public transportation is hereby
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allowed and regulated in recognition of the need to provide convenience and ease of
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commute in urban and rural areas while ensuring public safety and the efficiency of
7 
the transportation system as a whole.
8 
Sec. 3. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and
9 
Traffic Code is hereby amended by adding a new word which shall be defined as
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follows:
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"Sec. 3. Words and Phrases Defined. -  As used in this Act:
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"X X X
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"(N ) "MOTORCYCLES-FOR-HIRE" SHALL MEAN ANY TWO-
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WHEELED MOTOR VEHICLE THAT MAY BE REGISTERED W ITH
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THE LAND TRANSPORATION OFFICE AS FOR HIRE AND MAY BE
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USED 
AS 
A 
COMMERCIAL 
VEHICLE 
TO 
TRANSPORT


1 
PASSENGERS 
AND 
GOODS: 
PROVIDED, 
THAT, 
FOR
2 
TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS, THE MOTORCYCLE SHALL HAVE
3 
A 
M IN IM U M  
ENGINE 
DISPLACEMENT 
OF 
125 
CUBIC
4 
CENTIMETERS AND A BACKBONE TYPE BUILT."
5 
Sec. 4. Section 7 (d) of Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and
6 
Traffic Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"Sec. 7. Registration Classification. -  Every motor vehicle shall be
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registered under one of the following described classifications:
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(a) X X X
10 
XXX
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(d) Public utility automobiles; (e) public utility trucks; (f) taxis and auto-
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calesas; (g) garage automobiles; (h) garage trucks; (i) hire trucks; [an^]
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(j) trucks owned by contractors and customs brokers and customs
14 
agents 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 convenience or a special permit issued by the [PtM e
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Service Gommissien] LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING
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AND REGULATORY BOARD, and motor vehicles registered under
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these classifications shall be subject to the Public Service Law, rules and
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regulations, as well as the provisions of this Act.
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XXX."
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Sec. 5. Roadworthiness o f Motorcydes-for-hire. -  The Land Transportation
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Office (LTO) shall ensure the roadworthiness of motorcycles-for-hire before
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registration or renewal of registration. To further ensure safety, no modification shall
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be made on motorcycles-for-hire, except the installation, based on safe engineering
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design specifications, of motorcycle luggage carrier, saddlebag, step board or foot peg
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and appropriate speed limiter and monitoring device.
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Sec. 6. Issuance o f Driver's License. -  Pursuant to Section 23-A of the Land
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Transportation and Traffic Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 10930, the LTO
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shall promulgate the necessary prerequisites and guidelines for the issuance of
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licenses to the driver-applicants, including the theoretical and practical examinations


1 
appropriate for motorcycles-for-hire. The LTO shall also ensure the continuous safety
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training of licensed drivers for motorcycles-for-hire.
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Sec. 7. Separability Clause. -  If any portion or provision of this Act is
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subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are
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not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. -  All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
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orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof
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which are contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby
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repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 9. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,