Pursuant to the policy the government to help students meet the Impact of Increased costs by giving discounts on transportation fares, and in order to have uniform implementation thereof, the following guidelines on student fare discount are hereby promulgated:

I
Coverage

A. Students

1.       All students enrolled in elementary, secondary and collegiate institutions of learning be these academic; technical, or vocational, which are recognized/supervised by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports, are entitled to a student discount.

2.       Students of dance schools, driving schools, culinary arts, short-term courses of a similar type, and the like, are not included In the benefits herein granted.

B. Public Utility

All public water transport utilities engaged in passenger services shall grant student fare discounts to bona fide students herein defined.

II
Student Fare Discount

1.  The student fare discount shall be fifteen (15%) percent of the rates presently authorized under MARINA Order dated 11 April 1986 (MIA Case No. 85-3186).

2.  Student fare discounts, however, apply only to non-cabin passage.

III
Effectivity and Availment

1.  As previously stipulated, the fare discount for students shall be effective only for the period that the student is enrolled.

2.  To enjoy or be entitled to the fare discounts, the student must present:

i.        A school/university ID, validated for the duration of the period that the student is enrolled.

ii.       A Certification by the Registrar/Principal of the school or university.

These documents shall be shown upon demand by either the port captain or any official of the vessel during transit.

IV
Complaints/Violations

All complaints against refusal by public water transport utilities to give the fare discount to students, properly identified and eligible to such discount in accordance with these regulations/guidelines or discrimination or refusal by them to accommodate/convey these students, shall be reported directly to the Maritime Industry Authority for appropriate action.

V
Penalties for Violations

For violations or refusal to grant student fare discounts or discrimination and refusal to convey/accommodate students validly proven, the following penalties shall be imposed:

a.       Cancellation of the provisional authority/permit if the authority of the vessel to operate is covered by a provisional authority/special permit.

b.       If the authority for the operation of the vehicle/vessel is covered by a Certificate of Public Convenience:

1.    Suspension from operation of the vessel for a period of one (1) year counted from the date of confirmation of the violation;

2.    Cancellation of the Certificate of Public Convenience for repeated/continuous violations.

This Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately and repeals/revokes all existing rules, regulations, and guidelines inconsistent thereto.

Adopted: 11 July 1986

(SGD.) PHILIP S. TUAZON Administrator	(SGD.) P.V. VERGEL DE DIOS, JR. Deputy Administrator
(SGD.) REYNALDO Q. MARQUEZ Deputy Administrator