MANILA – The House of Representatives has unanimously approved on third and final reading a measure institutionalizing a year-round 20 percent student fare discount on public transportation.
In a 169-0 vote, the lawmakers have approved House Bill No. 8885, which mandates a year-round 20 percent discount for students on regular domestic fares in all public transportation, including land, rail, sea, and air, even on weekends and holidays.
Quezon City fifth district representative Alfred Vargas, the principal author of the bill, said students can avail themselves of the discount by presenting a duly issued and validated identification card or current validated enrolment form.
Vargas added that any individual who will be caught using falsified identification documents just to avail of the student discount may be subject to civil and penal liabilities prescribed by law.
“The bill aims to empower students by enabling them to pursue their education, helping them acquire gainful employment, thereby securing their future,” Vargas said. “It also seeks to address economic concerns and the alarming rate of school drop-out.”
He added: “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, e.g. transportation costs.”
Students who are deprived of these benefits by operators may file complaints with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for land transportation, Maritime Industry Authority for water public transportation, Civil Aeronautics Board for air transportation utilities, Legal Service of the Department of Transportation for rail, and Office of the Local Chief Executive of the local government unit for tricycles.
The approval of the House’s version came months since the Senate passed its version of the bill last October. The measure will now be tackled in a bicameral conference committee before sending it for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature./PN
