NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Third Regular Session 
}
rpR P2C7
SENATE
S.B. No. 2972
Introduced by Senator Francis nTol" N. Tolentino
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GRANT OF STUDENT LOAD DISCOUNT PRIVILEGE
ON MOBILE AND INTERNET SERVICES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, education has 
increasingly relied on digital communication and online resources. Acknowledging the 
financial difficulties many students face — particularly those from underprivileged 
backgrounds — the proposed "Student Load Discount Act" seeks to provide vital support.
The primary aim of this Act is to offer a 20% discount on mobile load, text, call, 
and internet services for eligible students. This initiative is intended to promote 
educational equity, enhance digital literacy, and foster collaboration between the 
government and telecommunications companies (TELCOs) to meet students' needs.
To qualify for the discount, students must be Filipino citizens enrolled in an 
accredited educational institution, with post-graduate students being the only exception. 
Students will need to present a valid school ID or proof of enrollment. The discount will 
be available year-round and is strictly for personal educational use. Importantly, students 
cannot combine this discount with other TELCO promotional offers, ensuring fair 
implementation.
To encourage participation, TELCOs will be allowed to claim tax deductions that 
align with the discounts they provide. This creates an incentive for these companies to 
actively support students' educational needs.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the Department of 
Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will oversee the implementation of 
the Act, ensuring that TELCOs comply with regulations, including submitting quarterly


reports. There will also be penalties for TELCOs that fail to provide the discount, with 
fines escalating for repeated violations. Additionally, students who misuse the program 
with fraudulent documentation will face legal repercussions.
By providing financial relief and encouraging digital engagement, this legislation 
aims to empower students and foster a more equitable educational environment in the 
Philippines. The collaboration between the government, educational institutions, and 
telecommunications companies is crucial for the success of this initiative, ultimately 
paving the way for a brighter future for the country's youth.
For these reasons, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
HFRA.P4
'TOL" N. TOLENTINO
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Third Regular Session 
}
- ') I /- •- 1
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2972
r-i
Introduced by Senator Francis "ToI" N. Tolentino
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GRANT OF STUDENT LOAD DISCOUNT PRIVILEGE 
ON MOBILE AND INTERNET SERVICES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Student Load Discount
2 
Act."
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Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall give priority to education,
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science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism,
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accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development1. It
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also recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation building2.
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Pursuant to these policies, the State ensures equitable access to education by providing
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necessary support to students, particularly in their communication and online learning
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needs. To achieve this, the State shall:
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(a) Establish a mechanism that ensures the mandatory grant of a student load
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discount privilege;
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(b) Enlist the cooperation of telecommunication companies (TELCOs) in extending
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assistance to students through this privilege; and
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(c) Encourage students, particularly the poor and underprivileged, to utilize digital
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tools for education.
1 Article II Section 17,1987 Constitution
2 Ibid, Section 24


Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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(a) Student - Any Filipino citizen currently enrolled in a duly authorized 
elementary, secondary, technical-vocational, or higher education institution, 
excluding post-graduate degree courses.
(b) Telecommunication Companies (TELCOs) - Companies providing mobile, text, 
call, and internet services in the Phiiippines.
(c) Student Load Discount - A 20% discount on prepaid and postpaid mobile load, 
text, call, and internet services availed by eligible students.
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Section 4. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all telecommunication services,
10 including but not limited to:
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(a) Prepaid mobile load for text, call, and data;
(b) Postpaid mobile plans; and
(c) Broadband and internet services used for educational purposes.
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Section 5. Student Load Discount Priviiege. - A student shall be entitled to a 20%
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discount on mobile load, text, call, and internet services, subject to the following
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conditions:
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(a) The discount shaii be applied upon presentation of a valid school ID or proof 
of enrollment.
(b) The discount shaii be avaiiabie year-round, including weekends and hoiidays.
(c) The discount shaii appiy oniy to personai educational use and may not be 
transferred.
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Section 6. Prohibition on Double Discounts. - Students cannot avail of multiple
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discounts at the same time. If a promotional discount from a TELCO is higher than 20%,
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the student may choose which discount to apply.
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Section 7. Tax Deduction for TELCOs. - TELCOs may claim tax deductions
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equivalent to the cost of the discount granted, subject to the rules to be promulgated by
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the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
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Section 8. Implementation and Monitoring. - The National Telecommunications
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Commission (NTC) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology
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(DICT) shall oversee the implementation of this Act. TELCOs shall submit quarteriy
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reports on compliance.


1 
Section 9. Penalties. - The following penalties shall be imposed for violation of
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this Act, to wit:
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(a) TELCOs that refuse to grant the discount shall be fined:
P50,000 for the first offense
P100,000 for the second offense
P200,000 for the third and subsequent offenses
(b) Any student found using fraudulent documents to avail of the discount shali be 
disquaiified from the privilege without prejudice to the filing of appropriate 
criminal charges for such act.
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Section 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within 90 days from
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the effectivity of this Act, the NTC, DICT, Department of Education (DepEd), and the
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Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall formulate the IRR.
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Section 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall continue to be in effect.
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Section 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, or executive orders inconsistent
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with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Section 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in
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the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved