Lawmaker files bill seeking 20% discount on toll fees for PWDs

Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), by law, enjoy certain privileges like priority lanes, and discounts on certain items or services they avail, including public transportation. Soon, PWD motorists may also enjoy a 20% discount on their toll expenses.

Just recently, Quezon City 4th District representative, Marvin Rillo, has filed House Bill (HB) 5275 which aims to amend certain provisions of Republic Act 7277, providing a 20% discount on toll fees for PWD motorists.

“Once enacted, our measure will surely give more substance to the mandate of the Constitution for the State to prioritize the needs of Filipinos who are highly vulnerable to marginalization,” said Rillo.

He cited a National Disability Prevalence Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority that showed that an estimated 12% of Filipinos aged 15 years and older experience severe disability.

The survey also showed that “severe disability” affects more Filipino women (15%) than men (9%).

“Disability is considered, on a larger scale, not just in the Philippines but also in the world, as a human right issue especially when the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) comes into force,” he added.

Under the measure, the motor vehicle using the Skyway or expressways must be registered in the name of the PWD, who must submit a copy of his or her PWD ID card to the tollway operator when applying for an RFID tag to avail of the 20% discount.

The Department of Transportation’s Toll Regulatory Board would be required to issue the rules to enforce the discount.

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