Maritime
MARINA
reiterates 20%
fare discount
in domestic
passenger
ships
T
he Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)
has reiterated to domestic passenger ship
operators, owners, and/or companies that
senior citizens, persons with disabilities
(PWDs), and students are entitled to 20% fare
discount on board domestic passenger ships,
provided that they present a valid proof of identification.
MARINA Circular 2017-03 noted that a fare discount
must be given to senior citizens, PWDs, and students for
land, air, and sea transportation as prescribed by the law
all-year round, including weekends, school breaks, and
even during legal or special holidays.
Aside from fares, senior citizens, PWDs, and students are
also entitled to other discounted privileges such as foods
and drinks, medicines, as well as recreational activities,
and other services available on board. However, they
cannot avail of such privilege if combined with other sea
transportation discount or promotions, referred to as
“double discount”.
Domestic passenger operators, owners, and/or
companies who will refuse to grant fare discount to
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senior citizens, PWDs, and students will face the following
penalties:
For ships 500 gross tonnages (GT) and below, the first
offense penalty ranges from PhP 10,000 to PhP80,000
with warning; for the second offenses, fine ranges from
PhP20,000 to PhP150,000 with suspension of operation
of ship for a period not exceeding 30 days; and for the
succeeding offenses, penalty rate is from PhP25,000 to
PhP150,000 with suspension of ship operations.
Meanwhile, for ships over 500 GT, the first offense
ranges from PhP50,000 to PhP100,000 with warning;
for second offense, fine ranges from PhP60,000 to
PhP200,000 with suspension of operation of ship for a
period not exceeding 30 days; and for the succeeding
offense, penalty rate is from PhP70,000 to PhP200,000
with suspension of ship operations.
The MARINA encourages the public to report erring
domestic shipping companies / owners / operators of
passenger ships via MARINA Enforcement Services hotline
at 0998-965-8464. http://marina.gov.ph/
MARINA Circular 2017-03:
http://marina.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/MC-
2017-03.pdf