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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

11?

6
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Ron P. Salo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 1, Article XIV of the Constitution states that “(t)he 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 order to make
education more accessible, it is important to grant fare discounts to students to
lessen their financial burden, and enable them to focus more on finishing their
studies to become more productive citizens of the country.

At present, the fare discounts granted to students is limited to transportation
‘on land and only through a Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB)
Memorandum Circular.

This Bill therefore seeks to institutionalize the grant of fare discount privilege
to bona fide students whether by land, water, or air transportation not only during
school days but also during Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Such amount may be
small, but it will certainly lessen the financial burden of the parents or guardians in
the support given to students particularly with the continuing rise in costs of
education in the country.

Hence, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

RO! SALO
KABAYAN Partylist

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

x
House Bill No, 8?

Introduced by Representative Ron P. Salo

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING FARE DISCOUNT PRIVILEGES TO STUDENTS ON ALL
TYPES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Student Fare Discount
Act’.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Section 1, Article XIV of the Constitution states
that “(t)he 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 the same article directs the State to
establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs,
subsidies, and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both
public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged.

Consistent with these constitutional mandates, the State shall:

a) Establish a mechanism that ensures the mandatory grant of a student fare
discount;

b) Enlist the cooperation and support of public transportation utilities in
‘extending assistance to students as a social responsibility through the
observance of this privilege; and

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

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

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a) School days refer to the entire duration of the school year during which the
student is enrolled, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, but
excluding the semestral and summer breaks;

b)

Student refers to any Filipino citizen enrolled in any elementary,
secondary, technical and vocational, or higher education institution, but
excluding those enrolled in postgraduate degree courses, and;

°)

Public transportation utilities refer to natural or juridical persons engaged
in the business of carrying or transporting passengers or goods, by land,
sealwater, or air, for compensation, offering their services to the public.

SEC. 4, Student Fare Discount Privilege. — A student shall be entitled to a twenty
percent (20%) discount on the regular domestic fares of all kinds of public
transportation utilities upon the presentation of a duly issued and validated school
identification card. In the absence of a validated school identification card, a current
and validated enrolment or schoo! registration form, supported by any document to
properly establish identity shall be sufficient; Provided, that this privilege may be
availed of only during school days (inclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays),
based on the actual date of travel.

SEC. 5. Filing of Complaints. — A student who is refused the fare discount privilege
under this Act may file a complaint with:

a) The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for land public
transportation utilities, except tricycles;

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

c) The Civil Aeronautics Board for air public transportation utilities;

d) The Legal Service of the Department of Transportation for rail public
transportation facilities, including the Manila Light Rail Transit System and
the Manila Metro Rail Transit System; and

e) The office of the local chief executive of the local government unit
concerned for tricycles.

These agencies and offices are hereby authorized to impose the penalties
provided for in Section 6 of this Act on public transportation utilities that refuse or fail
to grant the student fare discount privilege.

SEC. 6. Penalties. — The following penalties shall be imposed for refusal or failure to
grant the student fare discount privilege provided under this Act:

a) _ Forland public transportation utilities, including tricycles:
The driver shall suffer the penalty of suspension of driver's license for:

1) One (1) month for the first offense;

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2) Two (2) months for the second offense;
3) Three (3) months for the third offense; and

4) Three (3) months plus a fine of one thousand pesos (P1,000.00)
for each subsequent offense.

The owner or operator of the land transportation utility shall be
solidarily liable with the conductor for payment of the fine.

In land public transportation utilities requiring prior booking, the owner
or operator shall be solidarily liable with its employee responsible for the
refusal or failure for a fine of:

1) One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) for the first offense;

2) __ Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) for the second offense;

3) Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) for the third offense; and

4) Additional increments of five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) on top
of the penalty for the third offense for each subsequent offense.

b) For sealwater or air public transportation utilities:

The owner, operator and the chief of operations, of the sea/water or air
public transportation utility shall be solidarily liable with its employee or agent
responsible for the refusal or failure for a fine of:

1) Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) for the first offense;

2) Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) for the second offense;

3) Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) for the third offense; and

4) Additional increments of ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) on
top of the penalty for the third offense for each subsequent offense.

c) _ Forrail public transportation utilities:

The operator and the chief of operations of the rail public transportation
utility shall be solidarily liable with its employee responsible for the refusal or
failure for a fine of:

1) One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) for the first offense;

2) Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) for the second offense;

3) Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) for the third offense; and

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4) Additional increments of five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) on top
of the penalty for the third offense for each subsequent offense.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within thirty (30) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall, after consultation with the
concerned government agencies, promulgate the rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — |f any portion or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders and issuances,
proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof that are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 10, Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.

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