Solon wants additional privileges for students

Las Pias City Rep. Mark Villar has moved to grant additional privileges to public and
private students at all levels to ease the pressure of high cost of education in the country.
Villar filed House ill !"#"$ %hich entitles students to a &' percent discount on land$ air
and sea transport fares during the school year and #' percent discount on basic school supplies to
be availed of during enrolment period.
(he students shall also be granted a #' percent discount on medical services in both
government and private clinics and another #' percent discount on admission fees in museums$
art galleries$ libraries and stage theaters.
(he proposed )tudent Privilege *ct of &'#! mandates schools$ colleges$ universities and
other educational institutions to use to their students duly+signed$ validated and non+transferable
identification cards$ %hich shall contain the list of privileges granted by the act.
*ccording to Villar$ the bill seeks to alleviate the difficulty of parents and students in
coping %ith the rising cost of education in the country.
,(he cost of education has considerably increased over the years in the country$- Villar
said. ,*part from the tuition fee$ our students and their parents are beset %ith other e.penses
such as transportation$ school supplies$ books$ medical and dental fees and also admission fees to
galleries$ museums and stage theaters.-
,)uch scenario has been detrimental to our national development as many of our young
people drop out of school$- Villar said.
/nder the bill$ the penalty for first and second violations shall be imprisonment of not
e.ceeding one month or a fine of not more than P#$''' or both at the discretion of the court.
(he third violation shall be punishable by the same penalty and in addition$ revocation of
license or permit to operate the business or establishment.
0n case of partnership$ corporation$ association or group$ the penalty shall be imposed on
the President$ (reasurer$ )ecretary or any other person responsible for the violation.
0f the offender is an alien$ he shall$ after serving the sentence$ be deported immediately
%ithout further proceedings by the ureau of 0mmigration. 1"'2 mrs
NR # 3539B
JULY 26, 2014