Angara seeks discounts on basic services for students

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sonny Angara has called for the grant of discounts on basic services such as food, medicine and school supplies for underprivileged students, recognizing that tuition and other school fees are only part of the myriad of expenses incurred by families for their children.

The Commission on Higher Education reported that tuition makes up a mere 30 to 40 percent of a family’s out-of-pocket expenses.

Among the regular expenses incurred by Filipino families for their children are transportation, food, medicine, school supplies and miscellaneous school fees.

“The Free Tuition Law has gone a long way in easing the burden of families for the education of their children. But for most families, there are still a lot of out-of-pocket expenses that they have to cope with and for them, every peso counts,” Angara said.

As far as transportation is concerned, students will soon enjoy a 20 percent discount on fares for all modes of transport throughout the year.