Rep. Michael Defensor (Anakalusugan) has filed a bill seeking to further enhance the transportation privileges of the country’s senior citizens by granting them a 20 percent discount on the fees levied by tollway operators.
“Senior citizens deserve greater preferential access to road transportation services, including a 20 percent markdown on tollway charges,” Defensor, who is running for Quezon City mayor, said.
Tollways, including skyways and expressways, are controlled-access roads for which a fee or toll is assessed for motor vehicle passage.
Under Defensor’s House Bill 10630, senior citizens shall be entitled to a 20 percent price cut on toll fees paid through radio frequency identification (RFID) technology or similar devices.
In availing of the discount, the motor vehicle using the tollway must be registered in the name of the senior citizen, who shall submit a copy of his or her ID card when applying for RFID installation.
“Our measure seeks to give more substance to the mandate of the 1987 Constitution for the State to prioritize the needs and welfare of the elderly,” Defensor said.
HB 10630 requires the Department of Transportation’s Toll Regulatory Board to draw up the rules to enforce the discount.
At present, senior citizens already enjoy a 20-percent discount and value-added tax exemption on airline and ship passenger tickets, and on the fares of railways and public utility vehicles, including shuttle and ride-hailing services.
In addition, they are also exempt from paying airport and seaport passenger terminal fees.
Defensor previously filed a separate measure – HB 10558 – seeking to grant persons with disabilities (PWDs) a 20-percent discount on tollway fees.
