Alfred Vargas files bill granting year-long student fare discounts

MANILA, Philippines - Students who long for fare discounts during holidays have found an ally in celebrity-turned-lawmaker Alfred Vargas, who has filed a House bill granting them such incentives throughout the entire school year.

Vargas, the 5th District Quezon City representative, filed House Bill 850, which aims to grant fare discounts to qualified students on land, water and air transportation utilities even on Saturdays, Sundays, Christmas vacations and other holidays during the academic year.

The bill entitles bonafide students to 20 percent discount on regular fares upon presentation of their duly issued identification cards or currently validated enrollment forms or other documents to properly establish their identity.

"The proposed grant seeks to address economic concerns and the alarming rate of school drop-outs. This will alleviate the burden of the parents and guardians in the financial support given to the students with due consideration to the continued rise in the cost of education in the country, including their incidental expenses, such as transportation costs," Vargas said.

The neophyte lawmaker said the fare discount is envisioned to inspire students to engage in academic, extra-curricular and civic activities during non-school days. Due consideration is also given to those students undergoing internships, trainings and other activities covered by their curricula.

"Through this proposal, we can expect holistic growth of our students, our hope for the future," Vargas said.

He said at present, the grant of student fare discounts is authorized only through a circular issued by the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board.