The proposed legislation expanding the coverage of the 20 percent transport fare discount for students has been approved by the Senate on third and final reading.
With the backing of all of his colleagues who even stood as co-authors, the principal proponent, Sen. Sonny Angara, expressed hope that the House counterpart measure of Senate Bill 1597 will soon be passed as well.
“This will be more significant to the beneficiaries belonging to the indigent and underprivileged sector that rely on public transport services,” Angara, a known advocate of educational reforms and one of the authors of the Free College Law, said.
The bill seeks to institutionalize the grant of student fare discount being enforced by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) even during weekends and holidays and covers all means of transportation all year round.
The bill seeks to grant 20 per cent student fare discount even during weekends and holidays and covers all means of transportation all year round.
Its enactment into law means that all Filipino students, from elementary to college and those enrolled in technical-vocational schools, will be entitled to a 20 percent discount in buses, jeepneys, taxis, tricycles including transport network vehicle services (TNVS), MRT, LRT as well as in airlines and passenger ships.
All Filipino students, from elementary to college and those enrolled in technical-vocational schools, will be entitled to a 20 percent discount in buses, jeepneys, taxis, tricycles including transport network vehicle services (TNVS), MRT, LRT as well as in airlines and passenger ships.
It, however, does not cover students taking up post-graduate studies such as Medicine, Law, masters and doctoral degrees and short-term courses.
The discount for airfare will only be for domestic travel on regular fares, upon presentation of their duly issued school IDs or current validated enrollment forms.
Students travelling abroad for purposes of education, trainings and competitions could show proof or documentation supporting their claims and they will be exempted from paying the travel tax.
Under the bill, corresponding penalties will not be limited to those who will deny students their 20 percent discount or follow the proposed law as even those who will attempt or avail of the privilege by fraudulent means or misrepresentation would be subject to civil and penal liabilities.
It took the Senate only a year to deliberate on the measure.
