House panel approves bill granting student 20% discount

on public transport utilities

The House Committee on Transportation has approved in principle a substitute bill
granting students 20% fare discount on all kinds of public transportation utilities during
school days.
Rep. Cesar V. armiento !"one #istrict$ Catanduanes%$ chair of the house body$ said
the still unnumbered bill seeks to address economic concerns and the alarming rate of
school dropouts.
&This 'ill alleviate the burden of the parents and guardians in the financial support
given to the students 'ith due consideration to the continued rise in the cost of education
in the country$ including their incidental e(penses$ such as transportation costs$)
armiento said.
armiento said students aged *0 years old and belo' need only to present their
school+issued identification card or current validated enrolment form supported by any
document establishing their identity.
Rep. ,lfredo #. Vargas --- !.
th
#istrict$ /ue0on City%$ one of the authors of the bill$
said the fare discount is envisioned to inspire students to engage in academic$ e(tra+
curricular and civic activities during non+school days.
&#ue consideration is also given to those students undergoing internships$ trainings
and other activities covered by their curricula. Through this proposal$ 'e can e(pect
holistic gro'th of our students$ our hope for the future$) Vargas said.
1nder the bill$ students 'ho are refused the fare discount privilege may file their
complaints 'ith the "and Transportation 2ranchising and Regulatory 3oard !"T2R3% for
land public transportation utilities$ e(cept tricycles.
Complaints can also be filed 'ith 4aritime -ndustry ,uthority !4,R-5,% and the
Civil ,eronautics 3oard !C,3%$ 'hich concern sea$ air and 'ater public transportation
utilities.
Those riding the 4anila "ight Rail Transit ystem and the 4anila 4etro Rail
Transit ystem can file their complaint 'ith the #epartment of Transportation and
Communications.
Complaints against erring tricycle drivers can be coursed through the 6ffice of the
"ocal Chief 7(ecutive of the local government unit !"81%.
NR # 3590
SEPT. 15, 2014
The driver for land public transportation utilities 'ho refuses or fails to grant the
student fare discount privilege shall suffer the penalty of suspension of their driver9s
license for one month for the first offense: t'o months for the second offense and three
months for the third offense plus a fine of ;<$000 for each subse=uent offense.
,lso$ the o'ner or operator of the land transportation utility shall also be held liable
'ith the conductor for a fine of ;<$000 for every offense or violation.
2urther$ the o'ner or operator of the sea>'ater or air public transportation utility
shall be solidarily liable 'ith its employee or agent for a fine of ;.$000 for the first
offense: ;<0$000 for the second offense$ ;20$000 for the third offense and additional
increments of ;<0$000 on top of the fine for the third offense for each subse=uent offense.
The measure also imposes a fine of ;<$000 for the operator of the rail public
transportation utility for the first offense: ;.$000 for the second offense: ;<0$000 for the
third offense and additional increments of ;.$000 for each subse=uent offense.
Co+authors of the bill are Reps. 4a. Victoria y+,lvarado !<
st
#istrict$ 3ulacan%$
3ellaflor ,ngara+Castillo !"one #istrict$ ,urora% and ?inston Castelo !2
nd
#istrict$
/ue0on City%. !*0% lvc