House bill seeks senior discount for traffic fines  

MANILA, Philippines —  The 20 percent discount for senior citizens as mandated by law should also apply to fines for traffic violations they commit, a bill proposed by an administration lawmaker said.

“In furtherance of the laudable Filipino consciousness that our elderlies still have much to contribute to nation-building, this bill further accords our senior citizen-drivers the privilege of enjoying a discount of 20 percent on traffic fines that may be imposed upon them,” Rep. Dan Fernandez of the lone district of Sta. Rosa City said in the explanatory note of his proposed bill.

“An elderly citizen’s driving reflexes, instincts and skills are no longer the same as what they used to be during his or her youth. They are no longer as sharp as they were in the younger years, which is why they will now be vulnerable to mistakes,” he added.

Fernandez’s House Bill 5402 aims to amend the Senior Citizens Act of 2003 (Republic Act 7432).

The lawmaker explained that despite their advanced age, many senior citizens still operate automobiles for a number of vital reasons.

“Elderly Filipinos driving jeeps and cabs are still common sights on the road. Many seniors also drive their apos (grandchildren) to school, in reporting for work or simply as designated driver of the family,” Fernandez said.

He noted that the discount is especially necessary for seniors who rely on driving as their only source of livelihood.

“Given the usual small amount of such charges (fines), it may be argued that whatever revenue loss to the government that might arise from the proposed discount, this would be far outweighed by the benefit of promoting the welfare and morale of our senior citizens,” he pointed out.

HB 5402 covers all fines on traffic violations imposed by both national government agencies and local government units.

The bill directs the chief of the Land Transportation Office and the chair of the Metro Manila Development Authority to draw the implementing rules and regulations as soon as the legislative proposal is enacted into law.

In a related development, veteran election lawyer Romulo Macalintal – who is a senior citizen – called on lawmakers to re-file House Bill 9644 that former congressman Lito Atienza authored granting them discounts when traveling on expressways.

“Reviving and re-filing the bill will rectify the apparent wrong committed by our legislators, especially the representative of the senior citizens in Congress, when they practically abandoned them,” he said.

He was referring to the removal of the word “skyways” in the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (Republic Act 9994). Senior citizens used to enjoy discounted toll rates under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003 (RA 9257).

“Atienza’s bill is the answer to the senior citizens’ very sad situation since said bill will not only restore the word skyways but will make it very clear that the 20 percent discount shall apply to skyways and expressways whose toll fees are paid through RFIDs,” he said.

Macalintal is a staunch advocate for the rights of senior citizens.