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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__2444

Introduced by:
ALIF Party-List Representative Acmad M. Tomawis

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill secks to institutionalize the grant of a fixed fare discount privilege on
land, sea/water and air transport utilities to certain students, not only during school days
but to include Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, semestral breaks and Christmas vacations
while they are currently enrolled in academic, vocational and technical schools, as
defined and clarified in the proposed measure.

The proposed grant is aimed at alleviating the impact of the pressing financial
burden brought about by the spiraling prices of basic commodities and the expected
negative repercussion of the recently approved additional tax measures. Specifically, it
envisions to mitigate the effects of the economic difficulties as they relate 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 government.

‘As contemplated, the bill addresses manifest concems on education. It invites
particular attention on the increasing incidence of poverty that leads to the growing
number of student dropouts. The inability of goverment to provide better school
facilities and adequate school supplies which are restraints to quality education has been
highlighted also in the drafting of said measure.

‘The grant is consistent with the provisions of Article XIV, Section 1 of the
Constitution, which mandate that 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.” It is also in keeping with Paragraph 3, Section 2 of said
Article which 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.


Under the proposed measure, the fare discount privilege is available to students
even during Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, semestral breaks and Christmas vacations to
enable and encourage them to undertake researches and group studies. It is a 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 trainings and specialized studies, who are required to report
during such days and periods. It is hoped the grant of the 20% fare discount privilege for
certain students shall cushion the impact of the prevailing economic difficulties that pose
a serious threat to social stability and weaken the thrust of government towards quality
education.

Definitely, the proposed measure shall further boost students’ opportunity to
pursue higher education and enhance the realization of their aspiration for a brighter
future. Hence, approval of this measure is earnestly desired.



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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bil No,_© 444

Introduced by:
ALIF Party-List Representative ACMAD M. TOMAWIS

AN ACT
GRANTING FARE DISCOUNT PRIVILEGE ON LAND, SEA/WATER AND AIR
TRANSPORT UTILITIES TO CERTAIN STUDENTS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.

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

Section 1. Declaration of Policies and objectives. 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 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 following are the objectives of
this Act:

a) To enlist the cooperation and/or support of transport utilities to extend
assistance to deserving students as a social responsibility;

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

©) To establish a mechanism that ensures mandatory grant of fare discount
privilege to deserving students.


Section 2. Definition of Terms. 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
in elementary, secondary and 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, sea/water or air for a fixed rate of fees.

Section 3. Privilege of Students. The students contemplated and/or qualified
under this Act shall be entitled to a grant of twenty percent (20 %) discount on regular
fares upon presentation of their duly issued Identification Cards (IDs) or current validated
enrolment forms supported by other document/s or paper/s to 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, semestral
breaks and Christmas vacations.

Section 4. Coverage. This Act shall cover all students, except those specifically
excluded therefrom as defined in Section 2 hereof.

Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Secretary of the
Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) shall direet/instruct
concerned boards or offices under his Department to prepare and formulate, within thirty
(30) days upon approval of this Act, the implementing rules and regulations for the
availment of said student fare discount privilege on land, sea/water and air transport
utilities.

Section 6. Complaints, Violations and Penalties. Complaints by students who
are refused to avail of the privilege under this Act may be addressed and/or filed 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;

°)

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

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


After due investigation and finding 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 first offense; two (2) months
for the second offense; three (3) months for the third offense; and for
subsequent violations, each (violation) shall be penalized with three- month
suspension of license, plus a fine of Five Hundred Pesos (P 500. 00) for the

erring party.

b) For All Other Transport Utilities, Except Rail Transport System — A fine shall
be imposed against the erring firms/establishments or their authorized agents
of One Thousand Pesos (P 1, 000. 00) for the first offense; Two Thousand
Pesos (P 2, 000.00) for the second offense; Three Thousand Pesos (P 3,
000. 00) for the third offense; and Five Thousand Pesos (P 5,000.00) for
each subsequent violations.

©) For Rail Transport Utilities — all rail transport utilities are enjoined/directed to
observe the aforesaid fare discount privilege and designate student fare
booth in their boarding stations. Violations hereof shall be sanctioned or fined
as indicated in the paragraph immediately preceding (item b, above).

Section 7. Repealing Clause. All provisions of laws, decrees, orders, including
rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified
accordingly.

Section 8. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act shall be held
to be unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby
shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 9. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.