MANILA, Philippines – Senator Grace Poe on Thursday urged concerned transport agencies to fast track their respective guidelines for the law granting students a 20-fare percent discount for land, sea and air travel.
Poe issued the appeal after the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) issued its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act No. 11314, also known as the Student Fare Discount Act.
CAB’s guidelines take effect on November 1.
READ: 20% student discount on domestic flights takes effect
Poe urged local airline companies to comply with the said law.
“Nananawagan tayo sa mga airline company na ipatupad ang batas para naman kahit papaano maging maluwag sa bulsa ng ating mga estudyante ang pagbiyahe,” Poe, who co-authored the law, said in a statement.
(We are calling on airlines to comply with the law so that the financial burden of traveling can somehow be eased for students).
According to the CAB, the rules cover local carriers and students enrolled in any elementary, secondary, technical or vocation and higher educational institution.
It does not, however, cover those enrolled in postgraduate and informal short-term courses such as dancing, swimming, music, driving lessons and seminar-type courses.
The discount will only apply to the base fare or the price of the ticket before taxes and costs for ancillary services.
In cases where there was a promotional fare, CAB said the student would have to choose between the promo rate and the regular fare less the discount.
Under the law, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is mandated to issue the IRR for public utility vehicles such as jeepneys, buses, taxis and the transport network vehicle services such as Grab.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will set the one for passenger ships and vessels while the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will issue the IRR for the railways sector.
The law, Poe explained, provides for a 20-percent student discount for regular domestic fares of all kinds of public transportation utilities such as public utility buses, public utility jeepneys, taxis and other similar vehicles-for-hire, tricycles, passenger trains, aircraft and marine vessels for qualified, enrolled students.
The discount will be in effect even on weekends and holidays.
“Ang matitipid dito ay pwedeng idagdag sa pambili ng pagkain o kaya naman ay ibang gamit o bayarin sa eskwelahan,” Poe said.
(Money that students will save could be used for their food and other school expenses).
In exchange for granting fare discounts, public transportation operators may claim tax perks.
“We hope this will bring a little ease on families faced with high prices of goods and services,” she added.
To avail of the discount, students must show their school ID or a validated enrollment form together with a government-issued ID.
If a qualified student is not granted a fare discount, he or she file a complaint before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for land transportation, CAB for air transportation, and Maritime Industry Authority for maritime transportation.
Violators will be fined from P5,000 to P200,000. /gsg