Libreng internet at palikuran sa mga terminal

ni Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta @Magtanong Kay Attorney | Jan. 28, 2025

Dear Chief Acosta,

Noong Disyembre ay napakaraming tao na naman ang nag-uwian upang makasama ang kanilang pamilya para sa Pasko at Bagong Taon. Mayroon bang batas na naglalayon na mapabuti ang kaginhawaan ng mga biyahero sa mga pampublikong terminal? — Allan

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Dear Allan, 

Ang sagot sa iyong katanungan ay matatagpuan sa Sections 3, 4, 5 at 6 ng Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11311, na may titulong “An Act To Improve Land Transportation Terminals, Stations, Stops, Rest Areas And Roll-On/Roll-Off Terminals, Appropriating Funds Therefor, And For Other Purposes,” na naglalahad ng iba’t ibang benepisyo para sa mga biyahero, gaya ng mga sumusunod:

“SEC. 3. Provision of Free Internet. - Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10929, otherwise known as the “Free Internet Access in Public Places Act”, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and other concerned stakeholders, shall ensure that free internet is provided in transportation terminals, stations, stops, rest areas and RORO terminals. Owners, operators, or administrators of such establishments shall fully ensure the speedy and efficient implementation of this provision.

SEC. 4. Standards for Sanitary Facilities. - The owner, operator, or administrator of land transport terminals, stations, stops, rest areas, and RORO terminals shall provide clean sanitary facilities for passengers which shall be provided with the following:

(a) Separate restrooms for persons with disabilities (PWDs) male, and female passengers;

(b) Adequate ventilation and lighting;

(c) Safe, adequate, and running water supply;

(d) Flush system;

(e) Toilet seat with cover;

(f) Lavatory with toilet paper, mirror, soap, hand dryer and door lock;

(g) Waste bin; and

(h) Exclusive space for diaper-changing.

In implementing this provision, owners, operators, or administrators of land transport terminals, stations, stops, rest areas, and RORO terminals shall also comply with the applicable standards under Presidential Decree No. 856, otherwise known as the ‘Code on Sanitation of the Philippines.’ The DOTr, in coordination with the relevant government agencies, shall conduct random ocular inspections to ensure that such establishments comply with this provision.

SEC. 5. Prohibition on Collection of Fees to Access Sanitary Facilities. - It shall be unlawful to collect fees from passengers for the use of regular sanitary facilities therein.  For the purpose of this Act, the concerned passenger must show the paid bus ticket for the day in order to avail of the free use of sanitary facilities: Provided, however, That the provisions of this Act shall not apply to 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, rest areas, and RORO terminals.

SEC. 6. Lactation Station. - The owner, operator, or administrator of land transport terminals, stations, stops, rest areas, and RORO terminals shall establish at least one (1) lactation station which shall be separate from the sanitary facilities.  The lactation stations shall be clean and compliant with the applicable provisions under Republic Act No. 7600, as amended by Republic Act No. 10028, otherwise known as the ‘Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009’ and its rules and regulations. The DOTr, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and other relevant government agencies, shall conduct random ocular inspections to ensure that such establishments comply with this provision.” 

Sang-ayon sa nabanggit na mga probisyon ng batas, ilan sa mga benepisyong dapat ibigay sa mga pasahero ng pampublikong transportasyon ay ang mga sumusunod: Una, ang pagkakaroon ng libreng internet sa mga terminal. Dapat itong matiyak ng DOTr, kasama ang DICT; Pangalawa, malinis na palikuran; Pangatlo, ipinagbabawal ang paniningil para sa paggamit ng palikuran, maliban na lang kung ang palikuran ay makokonsiderang “deluxe” o karaniwang tinatawag na “pay restroom”; at panghuli, ang pagkakaroon ng lactation station para sa may mga sanggol na magulang. 

Sana ay nabigyan namin ng linaw ang iyong katanungan. Ang payong aming ibinigay ay base lamang sa mga impormasyon na iyong inilahad at maaaring magbago kung mababawasan o madaragdagan ang mga detalye ng iyong salaysay. 

Maraming salamat sa iyong patuloy na pagtitiwala.