Summer, holiday fare discounts for students pushed
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara filed a bill seeking to institutionalize the grant of a fare discount privilege to all students on all transport facilities, even during weekends, semester breaks, Christmas vacations and other legal holidays.
“With the increasing costs of tuition fees and many basic commodities that have burdened parents throughout the country, this is indeed one small way of helping our kids to stay in school and finish their studies,” Angara said.
Under Senate Bill No. 203, students shall be entitled to a grant of 20-percent discount on regular fares on land, sea and air transport upon presentation of their duly issued school IDs, current enrolment forms or other documents to properly establish their identity.
At present, a mere memorandum circular (MC 2011-04) issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) serves as the basis for students to enjoy a 20-percent fare discount on public utility vehicles.
The discount, however, only applies to land transport and applicable on weekdays from June to March, as well as during summer classes.
If the said Senate bill is signed into law, students who are refused to avail of the fare discounts can directly submit their complaints to the DOTC
The DOTC is then tasked to promptly refer it for urgent action to one of its attached agencies: the LTFRB, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) or even the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA).
The House of Representatives has already approved last month its version of a bill institutionalizing student fare discount.
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