Poe calls for strict implementation of 20% student fare discount

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday urged concerned government agencies to properly implement the new law that institutionalizes the 20 percent student fare discounts for all modes of transportation.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11314 or the Student Fare Discount Act in April 17.

READ: Duterte signs Student Fare Discount Act

Under the new law, a 20 percent discount would be granted to students for all forms of transportation on land, air, water, and rail.

Students are entitled to the fare discount the entire time they are enrolled, including weekends, and holidays.

“We call on the concerned government agencies to properly implement the law and guarantee students their full benefits, while keenly seeing to it that commitments to the transport sector, such as tax deductions and subsidies, are fulfilled and their rights not ignored,” Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, said in a statement.

Poe, who co-authored the bill in the upper chamber, added that the mandatory fare discount would ease the burden of Filipino families amid the tuition and other school expenses for their education.

“Sa gitna ng kabi-kabilang bayarin ng pamilya, matrikula at iba pang gastusin sa eskwelahan, kaluwagan kahit paano ang magiging dala nitong diskwento sa pamasahe para sa ating mga estudyante,” Poe said.

“Sana ay makatulong din ito upang araw-araw silang makarating sa eskwelahan nang may higit na determinasyong mag-aral,” she added.

The senator also thanked President for signing the law. /muf