Republic of the Philippines !
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS y

First Regular Session

1505

H. B. No.

Introduced by Congresswoman BELLAFLOR J. ANGARA-CASTILLO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Presently, the grant of student fare discounts is only throug. a memorandum circular of
the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTF1'B). This bill aims to put the
thrust of the circular forward by institutionalizing the grant of 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 holi¢ays during a school year or
school semester, whichever is applicable.

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

Under the proposed measure, the fare discount privilege ‘s 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 recognitic’ of the fact that during such
days and periods students are returning to their respective comm nities to assist their parents
and at the same time to get their allowances for the succeeding < hool week. Moreover, there
are certain students, like medical interns and those underg:ing military trainings and
specialized studies, who are required to report during such days ar d periods.

Approval therefore is earnestly sought.

nul Mo, heh CASTILLO
Rese e

Lone District, ¢ urora Province



SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE +)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

H. B. No. 1595

Introduced by Congresswoman BELLAFLOR J. ANGARA-CASTILLO

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) Toestablish a mechanism that ensures the mandatory grant of tire 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 responsibiliiy 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.

SEC. 3. Definitions. As used in this Act, the term “studer.!” 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.


SEC, 4, Privilege of Students. The bonafide students under this Act shall be entitled to a
grant of twenty percent (20%) discount on regular fares upon presentation of their duly issued
school 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,

SEC. 5. Coverage. This Act shall cover all bonafide students, except those specifically

excluded therefrom as defined in Section 2 hereof.

SEC. 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/weter 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.

SEC. 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 tha
2nd offense; three (3) months for the 3*4 offense; and for subsequent violations, a
three- month suspension of license, plus a fine of Five Hundred Pesos (P500) for each

violation of 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 thy amount of One Thousand
Pesos (P1,000) for the 1* offense; Two Thousand Peso: (P2,000) for the 2" offense;
‘Three Thousand Pesos (P3,000) for the 3* offense; and Five Thousand Pesos (P3,000)

for each subsequent violation.


©) For Rail Transport Utilities: All rail transport utilities are mandate to observe the
aforesaid fare discount privilege and designate a studen/ 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).

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.
SEC. 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.

SEC. 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,