Statement of Support by the Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection (LCSP) of The Dignity in Commuting Act of Senator Kiko Pangilinan

THE Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection (LCSP) expresses its full and unequivocal support for the proposed Dignity in Commuting Act, to be refiled by Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. This progressive and much-needed legislation affirms the basic rights of every Filipino commuter to travel in safety, comfort, and dignity, and provides a concrete framework to address the deeply rooted problems in our public transportation system. In a country where the majority of the population relies on public and active transport, this bill recognizes commuting not as a burden to endure, but as a human right to be respected.

We particularly commend the bill’s detailed enumeration of commuter rights, which include the right to adequate, affordable, and alternative public transportation services; the right to road safety and proper mobility infrastructure; the right to clean air during travel; and the right to timely travel information and fair compensation during service disruptions. These rights are translated into specific, actionable duties on the part of government agencies and transport operators, giving real and enforceable meaning to the daily struggles faced by millions of commuters.

Equally significant is the bill’s emphasis on equitable road use. As cited in the explanatory note, 70% of trips in Metro Manila are made using public and active transport, yet only 20% of road space is allocated to them. This injustice is finally addressed by the bill’s mandate to prioritize public and non-motorized transport modes over private vehicles. Further, the requirement to publish annual National and Local Public Transportation Services and Infrastructure Plans ensures that mobility policies remain data-driven and responsive to evolving commuter needs. Provisions mandating stricter training, licensing, vehicle monitoring, and CCTV systems promote accountability and road safety-core principles that our organization has long advocated for.

Of particular importance is the establishment of the National Office of Commuter Affairs under the Department of Transportation, along with Local Offices of Commuter Affairs in every city and urbanized municipality. This institutional innovation will create a dedicated government body tasked exclusively with protecting and advancing commuter welfare. It will serve as a platform for public complaints, legal assistance, commuter education, and consultation, ensuring that the needs of commuters are no longer sidelined but given a voice in national policy-making. By embedding commuter representation within the bureaucracy, this office has the potential to be the central guardian of commuter rights and a catalyst for long-term systemic change.

Finally, the bill includes enforceable penalties for violators-whether they be transport operators or government officials-making the protection of commuter rights more than just symbolic. The integration of these penalties, along with appropriations for the bill’s implementation, reflects a strong intent not only to legislate policy but to ensure its actual enforcement.

In view of these forward-thinking and pro-commuter provisions, the Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection respectfully urges Congress to pass this proposed bill without delay. We believe that this measure will lay the foundation for a more just, inclusive, and sustainable transportation system in the Philippines- one where dignity is not a privilege, but a right guaranteed to every commuter.

Atty. Albert N. Sadili

Spokesperson – Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection (LCSP)

09660859816 – Viber and Mobile Number