MANILA — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has reminded domestic shipping companies, owners or operators of passenger ships to grant a 20-percent fare discount to senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and students so long as they present a valid proof of identification.
In a statement Thursday, MARINA said senior citizens, PWDs and students are entitled to a fare discount throughout the year, including weekends, school breaks and during legal or special holidays based on a memorandum circular it issued last year.
“Senior citizens, PWDs, and students are also entitled to other discounted privileges, such as food and drinks, medicines, as well as recreational activities, and other services available on board. However, they cannot avail of such privilege if combined with other sea transportation discount or promotions referred to as double discount,” MARINA said.
Domestic passenger operators, owners, and/or companies refusing to grant fare discount to senior citizens, PWDs, and students will face the following penalties:
For ships 500 gross tonnages (GT) and below, the first offense penalty ranges from PHP10,000 to PHP80,000 with warning; for second offense, fine ranges from PHP20,000 to PHP150,000 with suspension of operation of ship for a period not exceeding 30 days; and for succeeding offenses, the penalty rate is from PHP25,000 to PHP150,000 with suspension of ship operations.
For ships with more than 500 GT, the first offense penalty ranges from PHP50,000 to PHP100,000 with warning; for second offense, fine ranges from PHP60,000 to PHP200,000 with suspension of operation of ship for a period not exceeding 30 days; and for succeeding offenses, the penalty rate is from PHP70,000 to PHP200,000 with suspension of ship operations.
Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a memorandum in October last year, which will allow students to be entitled to a fare discount on public utility vehicles from Mondays to Sundays, including summer breaks, legal and special holidays.
Postgraduate students still need to pay in full, such as students studying medicine, law, as well as those taking master’s or doctoral degrees.
The Senate has recently approved on third reading Senate Bill No. 1597, which will grant a 20-percent discount to students in all kinds of land, sea and air transportation. ( Aerol John Pateña/PNA)
