Republic of the Philippines' 
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Pasay City 
'1) JUL -1 P 4 :38 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
S. B. No. 203 
yt 
Introduced by SENATOR JUAN EDGARDO "SONNY" M. ANGARA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Presently, the grant of student fare discounts is only through a memorandum circular of 
the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (L TFRB). 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, riot only during school days but also durinf:j 
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 availab'le 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 to get their allowances for the succeeding school week. Moreover, there 
are certain students, like medical interns and those undergoing military traibings and specialized 
studies, who are required to report during such days and periods. 
. 
Approval therefore is earnestly SOught. 
,'" 
,t.' 'i/-------.:.-
JUAN E 
ARDO "SQNNY" M. ANGARA 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
S. B. No. 203 
~l!l1ah' 
. , 
(011.;, "I tlj' ""nlsft::' 
'13 
JUL -1 P 4 :38 
Introduced by Senator JUAN EDGARDO "SONNY" M. ANGARA 
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 programs, subsidies, and other incentives which shall be 
available to deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to the 
underprivileged. 
SEC. 2. Purpose. Consistent with these Constitutional mandates, this Act aims to: 
a) To establish a mechanism that 'ensures the mandatory grant of ti~e discount privilegE! 
to deserving students. 
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 
c) To encourage students, particularly the poor and underprivileQ,ed, to pursue quality 
education to secure their future and make them responsible citizens. 
37 
SEC. 3. Definitions. As used in this Act, the term "student" shall refer to any Filipino 
38 
citizen, not more than thirty (30) years of age, and currently enrolled either in elementary, 
39 
secondary or collegiate institutions, including vocational and technical schools. Specifically 
40 
excluded are schools of culinary arts and short-term courses of seminar type. 
41 
42 
The term "transport utilities" shall refer to both public and private-firms/companies duly 
43 
authorized to engage in the conveyance of passengers, either by land, water or air for a fixed 
44 
rate of fees. 
45 
46 
SEC. 4. Privilege of Students. The bonafide students under this Act shall be entitled to 
47 
a grant of twenty percent (20%) discount on regular fares upon presentation of their duly issued 
1 


, 
; 
1 
school Identification Cards (IDs) or current validated enrollment forms supported by other 
2 
documentls to properly establish identity. Said fare discount shall be available during the entire 
3 
school year for elementary and secondary students, during the semester for college students, 
4 
and during the duration of a course for vocational or technical students, including Saturdays, 
5 
Sundays, Holidays, and Christmas vacations. 
6 
7 
SEC. 5. Coverage. This Act shall cover all bonafide students, except those specifical\ly 
8 
excluded therefrom as defined in Section 2 hereof. 
9 
10 
SEC. 6. Filing of Complaints and/or Violations and Penalties. Students who are 
11 
refused to avail of the privilege under this Act may file their complaints with the Office of the 
12 
Secretary, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) which shall direct the 
13 
concerned board/authority/office, as herein identified, to wit. 
14 
15 
a) The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (L TFRB) for land 
16 
transportation utilities; 
17 
b) The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for sea/water transportation utilities; 
18 
c) The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) for air transportation utilities; 
19 
d) The Legal Service, DOTC, for rail transportation facilities, including the Light Railway 
20 
Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) projects. 
21 
22 
SEC. 7. Penalties. After due investigation and findings the complaint to be true and 
23 
valid, the following penalties shall be imposed as herein specified: 
24 
25 
a) For Land Transportation Utilities: Suspension of license for the erring driver, 
26 
conductor or inspector for one (1) month for the 1st offense; two (2) months for the 
27 
2nd offense; three (3) months for the 3rd offense; and for subsequent violations, a 
28 
three- month suspension of license, plus a fine of Five Hundred Pesos (P500) for 
29 
each violation of the erring party. 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
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 1st offense; Two Thousand Pesos (P2,OOO) for the 2nd offense; Three 
Thousand Pesos (P3,OOO) for the 3rd offense; and Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO) for 
each subsequent violation. 
c) For Rail Transport Utilities: All rail transport utilities are mandate to observe the 
aforesaid fare discount privilege and designate a student/senior citizen fare booth in 
their boarding stations. Violation thereof shall be sanctioned or fined as indicated in 
the paragraph immediately preceding (item b, above). 
2 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
.' , 
SEC. 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 
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. All provisions of laws, decrees, orders, including rules and 
regulations Inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly. 
9 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared invalid 
10 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain 
11 
in full force and in effect 
12 
13 
SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
14 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
15 
16 
17 
Approved, 
3