Jeepney Passsenger Fat and Foreign Ordinance 2009 Update
Jeepney Passsenger Fat and Foreign Ordinance 2009 Update
As you all know the provisions of the Jeepney Passsenger Fat and Foreign Ordinance 2009 came into force a year ago and for those who don’t know this is the provision authorising jeepney operators to charge a 50% surcharge on foreigners or fat people. This controversial piece of legislation has caused numerous problems, in particular with obese pinoys objecting to the use of sizeist language for example being compared to a sumo wrestlers or a tub of lard.
Pregnant women and congressmen have objected to being challenged. Also there have been unconfirmed reports of Koreans, who for the purpose of the legislation are not foreign being asked to pay the surcharge.
The ordinance was amended at the request of the church to allow for fat priests not to be liable for the surcharge provided a smaller passenger sat on their lap but due to child protection issues the legislature have looked at the provisions again so as of today 4.1.2010 the following provisions will apply:
Fat people and foreigners must continue to pay 50% surcharge on jeepneys. Fat priests provided in uniform are exempt. Koreans are still classified as not foreign but must be in possession of a valid passport which should be handed forward to the driver for inspection.
In the event of driver only jeepneys the drivers must not text at the same time as inspecting a passport and when inspecting must keep one hand on the steering wheel.
The decision as to whether a passenger is fat or foreign is that of the driver or conductor but in the event of a conductor or assistant conductor adjudication there is a right of appeal to the driver and in the event of there still being a dispute the passenger has a right of appeal to the Land Transport Office ( write with photo to local LTO )
For the avoidance of doubt fat people may be addressed as fatty but must so addressed in a respectfull way –Fatty Po for Pinoys or Sir Fatty for foreigners.
