House panel okays year-round student fare discount

INQUIRER FILE / EARVIN PERIAS

MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on transportation approved on Wednesday a bill seeking to institutionalize a year-round 20 percent fare discount for students in all forms of public transportation.

The panel approved the still unnumbered substitute bill during a hearing chaired by Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento.

The current system that provides limits to when students can avail of the discount is only based on a circular issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

If enacted, the legislation will grant the student fare discount even on weekends and holidays.

However, the bill excludes those enrolled in postgraduate degree courses and informal short-term courses like dancing, swimming, music, driving and seminar-type courses.

Under the measure, students may avail of the discount by presenting a valid school identification (ID) card or a current validated enrollment form.

Violators face penalties ranging from one to three-month suspension of a driver’s license and a P1,000 to P20,000 fine, depending on the type of transportation.

Meanwhile, individuals who falsify IDs, commit fraud or misrepresent themselves would be denied the privilege and face possible civil and penal liabilities.

A counterpart measure in the Senate, Senate Bill No. 1597, has already been approved on final reading and has been sent to the House for concurrence.

The House bill still needs to be set for plenary consideration before it could be approved on second and final reading. /cbb

Read the panel-level approved bill here: