Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) – A lawmaker filed on Tuesday a bill that will enumerate and uphold the rights of commuters in the country, including a full refund for stranded commuters.
Rizal 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles authored House Bill No. 2064 or the proposed Magna Carta for Commuters, which he said will promote economic growth by improving mobility and reducing inequality.
In his explanatory note, Nograles said Filipinos have suffered mobility issues that affected vulnerable sectors of the society such as children, elderly, women, poor, working class, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“This Magna Carta calls for a shift from car-centric public policy and infrastructure to sustainable transport and mobility, one that provides safe access and mobility to all, promotes economic development, protects and preserves the environment, and uplifts the life of the Filipino commuter,” Nograles said.
In the proposed bill, commuters are entitled to receive a full refund and assistance from transport operators in case of public transport services breakdown.
“If onward journeys are unavailable for more than one hour, the transport operator should provide food, water, and access to a waiting area with restrooms and ventilation,” the measure states.
The proposed Magna Carta for Commuters specifically outlined the rights of the passengers such as the right to public transport services that satisfies commuters’ mobility requirements; right to safe, convenient, and affordable public transport services; right to infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and PWDs; right to a fair share of public road space; right to breathe clean air during travel; right to information for efficient and convenient travel; and right to representation and participation.
Any person or government agency who will violate the provisions of the proposed Magna Carta for Commuters will pay the fine of not less than ₱200,000 but not more than ₱500,000.
Government officials found violating the measure will also be dismissed from service.
