MANILA, Philippines—Senator Grace Poe has called for the strict implementation of a newly-signed law requiring free Internet service, clean sanitary facilities, adequate ventilation, and lactation stations in transportation terminals.
President Duterte signed last April 17 Republic Act 11311 which is the consolidated version Senate Bill No. 1749 and House Bill No. 725.
READ: Duterte signs into law bill on clean facilities, free Wi-Fi in transport terminals
Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services and principal author of the measure in the Senate, pointed out that “overall maintenance of these facilities should also be consistent.”
“We urge the strict implementation of this law, to see to it that the internet provided is indeed free and that the restrooms can really give the travellers comfort and rest,” Poe said in a statement as she hails the signing of the law.
The law covers land transportation terminals, stations, stops, rest areas, and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) terminals.
The senator also said travelers can now “rest in the thought that after hours in traffic, they can find an oasis in transportation terminals through a free internet connection and clean comfort rooms.”
“A place is known by its people and their cleanliness. Let our transportation terminals leave a good impression to travellers towards their destination,” she added.
Owners, operators, or administrators who fail to comply with the law will be fined P5,000 for each day of violation and another P5,000 fine per day that fees have been collected from passengers for the use of sanitary facilities. Another P5,000 fine for each day of violation will also be imposed on operators or owners of transport terminals for failure to provide lactation stations.
The Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Department of Information and Communication Technology, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Department of Health, Philippine Ports Authority, and other concerned stakeholders, has 60 days from the law’s effectivity to issue the implementing rules and regulations. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)