DAVAO CIty (June 20)— President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Republic Act 11311, a law requiring free wifi, clean restrooms, lactation stations, and free internet in all transport terminals.
The new law mandates the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and other concerned agencies to ensure that free internet access is provided in land transportation terminals, stations, stops, rest areas and RORO terminals.
The terminals must also have separate lactation stations for breastfeeding mothers.
Duterte signed Republic Act 11311 on April 17, 2019 but a copy of the document was released to reporters on Wednesday.
As it is now, many terminals are operated by private individuals and some local government units, are collecting fees for the use of their sanitary facilities.
Under the newly signed law, collection is prohibited in both public and private terminals, a passenger needs to show the paid bus ticket to avail free use of sanitary facilities.
Violators of the law will be fined in the amount of P5,000 each day of violation and another P5,000 each day of collecting fees from passengers for the use of sanitary facilities.
Another P5,000 each day of violation will also be imposed on operators or owners as penalty for their failure to provide breastfeeding stations.
Among the standards for sanitary facilities include providing separate restrooms for persons with disabilities, male, and female passengers; adequate ventilation and lighting; safe, adequate, and running water supply.
There should also be a flush system; toilet seat with cover; a lavatory with toilet paper, mirror, soap, hand dryer and door lock; a waste bin; and exclusive space for diaper-changing.
