Senator Grace Poe on Thursday urged concerned transport agencies to speed up the issuance of their implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the law institutionalizing the 20-percent fare discount for students.
Senator Grace Poe
(ROY DOMINGO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Poe made the appeal after the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) signed its IRR for Republic Act No. 11314, the Student Fare Discount Act. The IRR took effect on November 1, allowing eligible students to avail of the 20 percent fare discount on domestic flights even on weekends and holidays.
She urged local airlines to comply with the law.
But as the implementing guidelines only cover local airfares, Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services and co-author of the law, said IRRs for railway, land, and sea transports should also be released.
Under RA 11314, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), within 90 days after the law’s effectivity, shall come up with an IRR for student discounts on public utility vehicles such as public buses, jeepneys, taxis, and transport network vehicles service.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) shall promulgate an IRR for passenger marine vessels, while the Department of Transportation (DOTr) shall issue one for rail transport.
The law provides for a 20-percent discount for public transportation utilities for the entire time that the students are enrolled. Students must show their school ID or a validated enrolment form together with a government-issued ID.
The discount, however, cannot be availed of by post-graduate students or those enrolled in short-term classes like students of dancing and driving schools and seminars.
Violators will be penalized with a fine ranging from P5,000 to P200,000 depending on the type of transportation utilities.
“We hope this will bring a little ease on families faced with high prices of goods and services,” Poe said.