Implementing Guidelines of Republic Act No. 9049 Providing Benefits and Privileges for a Medal of Valor Awardee, His/Her Widow/Widower and/or Dependents, as the Case may be, Relative to Utilization of Transportation Services Anywhere in the Country

May 10, 2018

DOTr DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 2018-11

 

WHEREAS, the 1987 Constitution recognizes the policy of the State to strengthen the patriotic spirit and nationalist consciousness of the military, and respect for people's rights in the performance of their duty;

WHEREAS, professionalism in the armed forces and adequate remuneration and benefits of its members shall be a prime concern of the State;

WHEREAS, Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9049 declares the policy of the State to consistently honor its military heroes in order to strengthen the patriotic spirit and nationalist consciousness of the military. Towards this end, the State shall give due recognition to an awardee of the Medal of Valor of his/her supreme self-sacrifice and distinctive acts of heroism and gallantry by providing adequate social services and financial rewards in order to encourage men and women to perform heroic deeds for their country;

WHEREAS, in pursuance of paragraph 5, Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9049, a Medal of Valor awardee, his/her widow/widower and/or dependents, as the case may be, shall be entitled twenty (20%) percent discount from all establishments relative to utilization of transportation services anywhere in the country; ETHIDa

WHEREAS, Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9049 provides fines and penalties for any person who shall deny an awardee, his/her widow/widowers and/or dependents or beneficiaries of the privileges and benefits due him/her/them by virtue of the Act;

WHEREAS, in pursuance of Section 8 of Republic Act No. 9049, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation is authorized to issue necessary rules and regulations to carry out the objectives of the Act;

WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is the executive department of the government responsible for the primary policy, planning, programming, coordinating, implementing and administrative entity on the promotion, development and regulation of a dependable and coordinated network of transportation systems, as well as in the fast, safe, efficient and reliable transportation services;

NOW THEREFORE, I, ARTHUR P. TUGADE, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, hereby order that the following rules and regulations be adopted:

SECTION 1. A Medal of Valor awardee, his/her widow/widower and/or dependents, as the case may be, shall be entitled to a twenty percent (20%) discount from all entities and establishments, whether public or private, relative to utilization of transportation services anywhere in the country, including but not limited to:

a) Air and Sea Transportation Privileges — Fare for air and sea travel, including advanced booking.

b) Land Transportation Privileges — Fare in public railways, buses, jeepneys (PUJ), taxi and shuttle services (AUV), including transport network vehicle service (TNVS).

SECTION 2. A Medal of Valor awardee, his/her widow/widower and/or dependents, as the case may be, shall be allowed to use VIP and heroes lounges and facilities operated by the airport authorities or the government, free of charge, in all airports nationwide.

SECTION 3. The provisions of this Order shall apply to the Medal of Valor awardees under Presidential Decree No. 1687 who have since been integrated to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

SECTION 4. For the availment of benefits and privileges under this Order, the Medal of Valor awardee, his/her widow/widower and/or dependents, as the case may be, shall present as proof of eligibility, a valid and original Medal of Valor Identification Card issued by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which shall be honored nationwide. cSEDTC

SECTION 5. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Cebu Ports Authority (CPA), the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), Philippine National Railways (PNR), Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT3), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), in coordination with entities, establishments, institutions, or agencies providing transportation services, are directed to:

a) Ensure and facilitate compliance of the provisions of this Order.

b) Properly disseminate this Order for information and compliance.

c) Require entities, establishments, institutions, or agencies to honor the twenty percent (20%) discount, benefits, and privileges granted by this Order.

d) Monitor compliance of the provisions of this Order, particularly the grant of twenty percent (20%) discount, benefits, and privileges to the Medal of Valor awardee, his/her widow/widower and/or dependents, as the case may be.

e) Report to the Department of Transportation or local authorities any person, natural or judicial, establishments, business, entity, institution or agency found violating any provisions of Republic Act No. 9049 or this Department Order.

SECTION 6. Any person who shall deny an awardee, his/her widow/widowers and/or dependents or beneficiaries of the privileges and benefits due him/her/them by virtue of this Order shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment and fine in accordance with Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9049.

SECTION 7. If any part or provision of this Department Order is held unconstitutional or invalid, other parts of provisions which are not affected shall continue to remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. All other Department Orders, Circulars, Special Orders, Office Orders, and/or other issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby superseded or modified accordingly. SDAaTC

This Order shall take effect immediately.

Done at __________ in the City of __________ on _____ 2018.

(SGD.) ARTHUR P. TUGADESecretary