Press Release
May 29, 2018

POE'S 'BETTER TERMINALS' BILL OK'D ON SECOND READING

Improvement in land transport terminals is underway as the Senate on Monday approved on second reading a bill seeking to prohibit the collection of fees from passengers for the use of clean sanitary facilities and mandating free Wi-Fi connection in terminals.

Senate Bill No. 1749 or An Act To Improve Land Transportation Terminals, Stations, Stops, Rest Areas and Roll-On/Roll-Off Terminals filed and sponsored by Sen. Grace Poe was approved prior to the adjournment of the second regular session of the 17th Congress.

Under the bill, owners, operators, or administrators of transport terminals are mandated to provide clean sanitary facilities for passengers for free. The government, in particular the Department of Information and Communications Technology, must ensure that free internet is provided in terminals.

"This measure is important as we find ways to improve the overall experience of Filipino travelers. Nararapat lamang na walang bayad ang paggamit ng malinis na palikuran sa mga terminal dahil ang pagkakaroon ng maayos na pasilidad ay serbisyo sa publiko," said Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services.

Concerned passengers must show the paid bus ticket for the day in order to avail of the free use of sanitary facilities. Free use does not include 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.

The proposal also mandates the establishment of a lactation station inside the terminals, in compliance with Republic Act No. 7600, as amended by RA No. 10028, or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009.

Any owner, operator or administrator of land transport terminals, stations, stops and rest areas and RORO terminals who violates any provision in the proposed legislation shall be liable for a fine amounting to P5,000.

Transport groups and state agencies earlier expressed support for the bill.

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