Free WiFi, Better Sanitary Facilities Now Required in Public Terminals
President Duterte recently enacted Republic Act 11311, which seeks to allocate funding for the improvement of public transportation terminals, stations, and stops in the country.
Under the newly signed law, public terminals are required to have clean sanitary facilities in accordance with Presidential Decree 856 or the Code of Sanitation of the Philippines.
This includes the construction of bathrooms for people with disabilities and female and male passengers. Said bathrooms must be equipped with an adequate water supply, a flush system, toilet seat with cover, a lavatory with basic necessities like toilet paper, soap, mirror, and hand dryer, as well as a door lock and waste bin. Diaper changing stations should also be provided.
Passengers should be able to use the facilities FREE of charge, provided that they present the bus tickets valid that day. However, this provision does not apply to commercially-built facilities operated within the terminals.
Owners and operators who fail to comply with the provisions of the law must pay corresponding fines and penalties.
The law was signed last April 17 but was only released to the public late this month amid talks of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) working on a new route modification policy, which eyes to implement the provincial bus ban along EDSA.
Also read: The Expats’ Ultimate Guide to Public Transportation in the Philippines
Sources: RA 11311 and Philippine Star
Featured image grabbed from LTFRB Facebook.
