DOTr-LTFRB Orders All PUV Operators, Drivers to Grant 20% Fare Discount to PWDs

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has ordered the full compliance of all Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) operators and drivers in granting a 20% fare discount to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Memorandum Circular (MC) ‎‎2018-004 or the order on PWD fare discount was issued pursuant to Republic Act No. 10754 or “An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability.”

Under the MC, PWDs can avail of the discounted fares provided they present documents such as an identification card issued by the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons or duly authorized LGU officials.

Having a natural soft spot for the elderly and PWDs, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the discount is a benefit guaranteed by the law.

“Napakaliit na bagay nito para sa mga kababayan nating may kapansanan. Kaya sana naman, lahat ng ating PUV operators at drivers, mula jeep hanggang taxi ay sundin ito,” said Tugade.

PWDs can also avail of the full 20% fare discount from Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), such as Grab and Uber, and taxi service, regardless of the number of his/her companions.

Violators shall be slapped with a PhP5,000 fine for the first offense, PhP10,000 for the second offense plus a six-month suspension of their Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).

For the third and final offense, operators would have their franchises cancelled or revoked.

Under the RA 10754, the DOTR and those agencies attached under its administrative supervision and control shall issue the similar guidelines, circulars or directives related to domestic air, sea, and land transportation travel, including Light Transit, Metro Rail Transit and the Philippine National Railways.

Cine Lokal Highlights Pride and Love in ‘4 Days’

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Will you stay inside a relationship that keeps you from being proud?

Cine Lokal continues its offering on all kinds of love this month with the 4 Days, an LGBT romantic drama directed by award-winning film director Adolf Alix Jr. and featuring Mikoy Morales and Sebastian Castro.

4 Days tells the story of two college friends who slowly realize they mean more to each other than either had initially realized. The film joins Derek and Mark in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day over the course of a few 

years- charting the blossoming of a friendship in to something much more enduring as time goes on - and challenging both to question who they thought they were and who they truly want to me. Painting a moving picture of how an abiding friendship can sometimes lead to love - and how we sometimes have to wrestle with our own demons to find their true self, 4 Days is achingly romantic and delicate.

Watch 4 Days as it opens in the following cinemas this February 9 at SM Mall of Asia, Megamall, North Edsa, Fairview, Southmall, Bacoor, Sta. Mesa and Bacoor at 1:00pm, 3:30pm, 6:00pm and 8:30pm.

Musical Theater Songwriter William Elvin to Release New Album of Personal Songs in October

Wazzup Pilipinas!

After producing a string of original Filipino musicals, including 2011’s “Rizal X”, 2013’s “Maxie The Musicale” and 2016’s “Mula sa Buwan”, singer-songwriter William Elvin is set to release a new collection of personal songs on Spotify and Apple Music in October this year.

Having gained fan support through his emotionally vulnerable and brutally honest musical works, songs such as Ang Sabi Nila (Mula sa Buwan), But I Love No One But You and Tonight, I Break Some Promises (Rizal X) have garnered thousands of listeners on Spotify. With the new album’s release, William aims to express his musical message on a more personal level and connect with his listeners more intimately.

“I think the new album will be an exploration of where I am now as an artist as opposed to where I was creatively when I was just starting out,” said William. “It will contain a mix of songs I have recently written here in HK and some that were from when I was 17 years old,” he revealed.

William Elvin started performing music in 2003 with small band gigs in the now-defunct iconic rock club Mayric’s in Espana, Manila. He then went on to become a performer, writer and director for the stage after being trained in Dulaang UP, the official theater group of the University of the Philippines Diliman.  He is now based in Hong Kong and is active in the Filipino musician community in the city, and continues to perform with his band William Elvin and the Circus Tour.

To listen to William Elvin’s music, visit his official website at www.williamelvinmusic.com, or like his official Facebook page www.facebook.com/williamelvinmusicj.