PGIN eyes revival of 50% discount on student fares

Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY—With the expected increase prices of oil and petroleum products and other basic commodities due to the recently implemented tax reform law, the Ilocos Norte provincial government is eyeing the revival of subsidized public transport services to students from marginalized families.

As one of the pilot projects of the Ilocos Norte government, they launched the Sirib transport service for students last year, giving gas subsidy to public utility jeepneys and buses.

In return, these registered PUJs and buses shall give 50% discount on student fares.

For students to avail of discounted fares, they only need to show their valid identification cards.

As of this posting, Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos said they are still finalizing with the Commission on Audit (COA) the arrangement since COA intensified the auditing rules.

“We want to maintain high school attendance and not to fall back from so many out of school youths. We want to comply with COA pero minsan hindi masyadong maliwanag ang mga rules,” said Ms. Marcos.

On January 8, 2018, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously approved Draft Provincial Resolution No. 2018-01-131, granting authority to the provincial government of Ilocos Norte to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the different jeepney operators and drivers’ association for the provision of transport service and subsidy for students.

Provincial officials expect the Sirib transport service to benefit student-commuters in far flung areas mostly covering the second district of the province.

Organized by the Metro Ilocos Norte Council, they are now finalizing a memorandum of agreement for signing.

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