Oreta tells DOTC: Enforce student discount

Opposition Sen. Teresa Aquino-Oreta asked yesterday the Department of Transportation and Communications to implement the law mandating a 20-percent fare discount for students, senior citizens and disabled persons.

Oreta said the DOTC and the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) should deploy more personnel to ensure the law is enforced among drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs).

The senator averred the pro-poor measure is the last the government can do to help ordinary Filipinos.

"The LTFRB should also launch an information campaign on the fare discount since many students and other beneficiaries of this law are apparently unaware that they are entitled to discounted PUV fares," Oreta said.

LTFRB Memorandum Circular (94-001) provides for a 20-percent discount for students, senior citizens and disabled persons, meaning they should only be paying P3.20 instead of P4 charged by jeepneys and ordinary buses.

Oreta disclosed those who are aware of this circular and ask for the discounts only end up arguing with jeepney drivers and bus conductors who violate the law because they know that the government is not keen on enforcing it. – Aurea Calica