Student fare discount bill transmitted to Palace for President’s signature

Good news for public and private school students.

The enrolled copy of the bill seeking to institutionalize and expand the 20-percent student fare discount to include air and sea transport has been transmitted to Malacañang for President Duterte's signature.

It was learned that enrolled bill was transmitted to the President on March 21, 2019.

Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation which approved the bill in early December last year, said the signing of the bill into law is "timely" following the rising prices of goods and the increasing cost of living.

"We can lessen the students' burdens by lessening the amount they are paying for their daily commute,” he said.

At present, students get 20 percent discount on land transport like jeepneys and buses under the circular issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas also sought the enactment of the measure into law, citing that it seeks to address economic concerns and the alarming rate of school drop-outs.

"This will ease the financial burden of parents and guardians. The cost of education in the country, plus students' incidental expenses like transportation continues to rise," he said.

The House of Representatives passed the bill last month, while the Senate approved its own version of the bill in October last year.

The bill mandates a year-round 20 percent discount for students on regular domestic fares in all forms of public transportation, including land, rail, sea, and air.

Under the measure, transportation operators shall grant the discounts upon the presentation of a duly-issued and validated identification card or current validated enrolment form supported by proof of identity.

Students may enjoy the seven-day transportation discount privilege the entire time they're enrolled in school, including summer classes, Christmas break, Lenten break, semestral break, and school summer vacation.

More than 20 million public and private students are expected to benefit from the proposed law.

Under the bill, anyone who uses falsified identification documents will be deprived of these privileges and may be subject to civil and penal liabilities prescribed by law.

A student who is refused the fare discount privilege may file a complaint with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for land public transportation utilities, except tricycles; the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for sea/water public transportation; the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) for air public transportation facilities; the Legal Service of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for rail public transportation facilities, including the Manila Light Rail Transit System, the Manila Metro Rail Transit System, and the Philippine National Railway System; and the Office of the Local Chief Executive of the local government unit concerned for tricycles.