MANILA – A measure mandating transport terminals to provide free internet services and clean comfort rooms for commuters has been transmitted by the Congress for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.
Senate Bill 1749, or “An Act to Improve Land Transportation Terminals, Stations, Stops, Rest Areas and Roll-On/Roll-Off Terminals,” has been submitted to the Palace after being agreed by the bicameral conference committee.
Sen. Grace Poe, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Public Services and principal author of the measure, hopes that Duterte will sign the measure as many students are expected to return to their provinces this school break.
Under the measure, transportation and roll-on/roll-off terminals nationwide should have clean restroom facilities and free internet access. The terminals must also have separate lactating stations for breastfeeding mothers.
“An efficient and functional inter-province transport system is essential to ensuring that Filipinos travel safely. In particular, rest stops are indispensable for those travelling by land, as they provide a brief ‘pit stop’ for travellers and bus drivers,” Poe said.
She added: “This is especially important for Filipinos who travel for more than eight hours. Terminal toilet experience is one aspect that travellers remember, whether the experience is impressive or horrible. Terminals and toilets are crucial to tourism.”
Aside from the free use of the clean toilets, the bill also mandates the Department of Information and Communications Technology, in coordination with the Department of Transportation and other concerned agencies, to provide free internet access in the terminals.
“While waiting for their trip passengers while away the time checking their social media accounts or attending to their work remotely, which requires the use of free internet, Wi-Fi or broadband,” Poe said.
The owner, operator, or administrator of land transport terminals, stations, stops, rest areas and RORO terminals who does not comply with the standards for sanitary facilities will be fined in the amount of P5,000 each day of violation.
Another P5,000 each day who collect fees from the passengers for the use of sanitary facilities and P5,000 fine each day of violation will also be imposed on operators or owners as penalty for their failure to provide breastfeeding stations./PN
