Estrada pushes Underprivileged Students’ Discount Act

MANILA — Seeking to ease the financial burden on struggling Filipino families, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed a measure granting a mandatory five percent (5%) discount on essential education-related expenses for underprivileged students, including those enrolled in technical-vocational courses.

Under Senate Bill No. 1063, or the proposed "Underprivileged Students’ Discount Act," qualified students would be entitled to discounts on tuition and other school fees, food, medicines, school supplies, reference materials, and learning gadgets such as laptops, tablets, and mobile devices needed for their studies.

“Maraming estudyante ang kapos sa panggastos araw-araw kaya bawat pisong natitipid nila ay napakahalaga. Sa panahon ngayon, hindi na luho ang laptop, tablet, o cellphone — kailangan na ang mga ito para makasabay sa pag-aaral. At lalong hindi luho ang pagkain, tuition, at school supplies. Kaya bawat diskwento ay malaking ginhawa para sa mga estudyante at kanilang pamilya,” Estrada said.

The measure aims to provide tangible financial relief to students belonging to families with an annual household income of P250,000 or below, equivalent to roughly P20,000 a month.

The proposed discount may be availed of in food establishments, pharmacies and drugstores, bookstores, school supply stores, and establishments selling electronic devices necessary for online and distance learning anywhere in the country.

The bill also covers tuition, miscellaneous, and other school-related fees, as well as entrance fees to museums, theaters, and cultural events.

Working students may likewise qualify for the discount, provided that their combined household income falls within the prescribed threshold.

Estrada emphasized that the proposed benefit will not affect a student's eligibility for scholarships, vouchers, grants, and other forms of educational assistance from the government or private institutions.

To encourage compliance, establishments that grant the discount will be entitled to tax incentives, allowing the amount of discounts extended to qualified students to be treated as allowable deductions from gross income under the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).

“This bill is not just about discounts. It is about ensuring that education remains a right, not a privilege. Palagi nating sinasabi na hindi dapat maging hadlang ang kahirapan para makapagtapos sa pag-aaral. Panahon na para gawin natin itong mas makatotohanan at mas abot-kamay para sa bawat Pilipinong estudyante,” the senator said.

Under the proposed law, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will identify qualified beneficiaries and issue identification cards to eligible students.