MANILA – The Senate has recently approved on third and final reading a bill which seeks to institutionalize and expand the coverage of 20-percent fare discount to students.
Senate Bill 1597, which is principally authored and sponsored by Sen. Sonny Angara, aims to include land, air, water, and rail transport in the coverage of student fare discount all year round.
“Even with the free tuition, we need to help families with daily school expenses. Ang matitipid sa pamasahe ay makatutulong para sa iba pang gastusin at pangangailan ng ating mga mag-aaral,” said Angara.
Under the bill, all elementary, high school, college and technical-vocational students will be entitled to a 20-percent discount on regular domestic travel fares – including jeepneys, buses, UV Express vans, taxis, and transport network vehicle services like Grab, MRT, LRT, passenger ships and ferries, and airplanes – upon presentation of their duly issued school ID or current validated enrollment forms.
“Such discount will not only be effective during weekdays but throughout the year including weekends, summer breaks and holidays,” said Angara, vice chairman of the Senate education committee.
“Filipino students who will travel abroad for education, training and competition will be exempt from payment of travel tax upon proper showing of proof or documentation of intended purpose,” he added.
Currently, the student fare discount is only based on a circular issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTRFB), which can always be subject to change.
“Ang kailangan natin ay batas para masiguro na ang 20-percent discount para sa mga mag-aaral ay mananatili kahit sino pa ang mga nakaupo sa DOTr at LTFRB,” Angara said.
Land, water, air and rail transportation utilities that refuse to grant student discount will be penalized with a fine ranging from P5,000 to P200,000./PN
