A lawyers’ group expressed its full backing of a bill filed before the Senate that would protect the rights of commuters.

This was aired by the Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection (LCSP), expressing their support for the bill filed by Sen. Francis Pangilinan that is intended to protect commuters’ rights and to ensure proper public infrastructure.

“In a country where the majority of the population relies on public and active transport, this bill recognizes commuting not as a burden to endure, but as a human right to be respected,” the LCSP said in a statement.

Pangilinan’s proposed “Dignity in Commuting Act” seeks to promote adequate, affordable, and alternative public transportation services and ensure the safety of commuters on the road.

The group calls for a sustainable transportation policy, proper infrastructure, equitable road sharing, commuter compensation, and greater public participation in decision-making.

Under the bill, it proposes the creation of a National Office for Commuter Affairs that will address their complaints and provide them with emergency support and legal assistance.

The lawyers’ group said the measure will address perennial problems in the public transportation system and hailed its recognition of commuter rights, including the right to road safety and proper mobility infrastructure, clean air, and fair compensation during service disruptions.

“These rights are translated into specific, actionable duties on the part of government agencies and transport operators, giving real and enforceable meaning to the daily struggles faced by millions of commuters,” it said.

The group also supported the bill’s intent to address the inequitable allocation of road space that prioritizes private vehicles.

It also said only 20 percent of road space is for public and active transport even though these make up 70 percent of trips in Metro Manila.

“This injustice is finally addressed by the bill’s mandate to prioritize public and non-motorized transport modes over private vehicles,” it said.

Another provision it backed is for stricter training, licensing, vehicle monitoring, and CCTV systems, which promote accountability and uphold core road safety principles.

The LCSP also underscored the importance of the proposed National Office of Commuter Affairs in ensuring that public transportation users are given a voice in the bureaucracy and their concerns are addressed.

The bill’s penalties are also more than just symbolic and will ensure that the provisions are enforced, the group said.

Congress was urged to approve the bill without delay.