Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

16 Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 1096

Introduced by HON. MA. VICTORIA R. SY-ALVARADO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

For 2013, an estimated 39% of the country’s school level population was not able to
enroll due to various reasons, mainly due to poverty. Meanwhile, for those enrolled, the
cohort survival rate, or the number of students who will be able to graduate is pegged at only
about 66%. The rest, or roughly one out of every three students in the elementary, will not be
able to finish grade 6. In public or private schools, tuition fees plus other miscellaneous
expenses further add to the burden of parents, making education a very expensive
undertaking.

When the authorities instituted the grant of student fare discounts through a
memorandum circular of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board
(LTFRB), the aim was to provide additional assistance to parents and students. Still, a law
should be passed legalizing the grant of discounts on transportation (land, air and water) for
students, This bill aims to put the thrust of the circular forward by institutionalizing the grant
of a fare discount privilege to bonafide students on land, water and air transport utilities, not
only during school days but also during Saturdays, Sundays, Christmas vacations and other
holidays during a school year or school semester, whichever is applicable.

The proposed grant is envisioned to lessen the impact of the current economic
difficulties and assist parents and students in shouldering the transportation expenses relative
to the rising cost of education in our country. Majority of its intended beneficiaries belong to
the indigent, depressed and under privileged sector. Hence, they need and deserve the
assistance of the government.

Under the proposed measure, the fare discount privilege is available to students even
during Saturdays, Sundays, Christmas vacation and other holidays to enable and encourage
them to undertake researches and group studies. It is in recognition of the fact that during
such days and periods students are returning to their respective communities to assist their
parents and at the same time, get their allowances for the succeeding school week. Moreover,
there are certain students, like medical interns and those undergoing military trainings and
specialized studies, who are required to report during such days and periods.

Approval therefore is eamestly sought.

MA. VICTORIA R. SY-ALVARADO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

16" Congress
First Regular Session

LB. Ne 1056

Introduced by HONORABLE MA. VICTORIA R. SY-ALVARADO.

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GRANT OF STUDENT FARE DISCOUNT
PRIVILEGES ON LAND, WATER AND AIR TRANSPORT UTILITIES AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy, Pursuant to Article XIV, Section 1 of the
Constitution, “the State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education
at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.” In
addition, Paragraph 3, Section 2 of said Article directs the State to establish and maintain a
system at scholarship grants, student loan program, subsidies and other incentives which shall
be available to deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to the
underprivileged.

SECTION 2. Purpose. Consistent with these Constitutional mandates, this Act aims
to:

) To establish a mechanism that ensures the mandatory grant of discount privileges
to deserving student,

b) To enlist the cooperation and/or support of transport utility owners to extend
assistance to deserving students as_a social responsibility through the observance
of this grant; and

©) To encourage students, particularly the poor and underprivileged, to pursue
quality education to secure their future and make them responsible citizens.

SECTION 3. Definitions. As used in this Act, the term “student” shall refer to any
Filipino citizen not more than thirty (30) years of age, and currently enrolled either in
elementary, secondary or collegiate institutions, including vocational and technical schools.
Specifically excluded are schools of culinary arts and short term courses of seminar type.



The term “transport utilities” shall refer to both public and private firms/companies
duly authorized to engage in the conveyance of passengers, either by land, water or air for a
fixed rate of fees.

SECTION 4. Privilege of Students. The bonafide students under this Act shall be
entitled a grant of twenty percent (20%) discount on regular fares upon presentation of their
duly issued schoo! Identification Cards (IDs) or current validated enrollment forms supported
by other document/s to properly establish identity. Said fare discount shall be available
during the entire school year for elementary and secondary students, during the semester for
college students, and during the duration of a course for vocational or technical students,
including Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, and Christmas vacations.

SECTION 5. Coverage. This Act shall cover all bonafide students, except those
specifically excluded therefrom as defined in Section 2 hereof.

SECTION 6. Filing of Complaints and/or Violations and Penalties. Students who
are refused to avail of the privilege under this Act may file their complaints with the office of
the Secretary, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) which shall direct
the concerned board/authority/office, as herein identified, to wit.

a) The Land ‘Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for land
transportation utilities;

b) The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for sea/water transportation utilities;

c) The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) for air transportation utilities;

4) The Legal Service, DOTC, for rail transportation facilities, including the Light
Railway Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transport (MRT) projects.

SECTION 7. Penalties. After due investigation and findings the complaint to be true
and valid, the following penalties shall be imposed as herein specified:

a) For Land ‘Transportation Utilities: Suspension of license for the erring driver,
conductor or inspector for one (1) month for the 1" offense; two (2) months for
the 2" offense; three (3) months for the 3" offense; and for subsequent violations,
a three month suspension of license, plus a fine of Five Hundred Pesos (500) for
each violation or the erring party,

b) For Water and Air Transport Utilities: A fine shall be imposed against the erring
firms/establishment or their authorized agents in the amount of One ‘Thousand
Pesos (P1,000) for the 1" offense; Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000) for the 2™
offense; Three Thousand Pesos (P3,000) for the 3“ offense; and Five Thousand
Pesos (P5,000) for each subsequent violation.

©) For Rail Transport Utilities: All rail transport utilities are mandate to observe the
aforesaid fare discount privilege and designate a student/senior citizen fare both in
their boarding stations. Violation thereof shall sanctioned or fined as indicated in
the paragraph immediately preceding (item b, above)



SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ‘The Secretary of the
Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) shall direct the attached
agencies or offices under his Department to prepare and formulate, within thirty (30) days
upon approval of this Act, the Implementing Rules of this Act.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. All provisions of laws, decrees, orders, including
tules and regulations Inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby
shall remain in full force and in effect.

SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation,

Approved,