Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2639

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative WALFREDO “ARMAN” R. DIMAGUILA, JR.

(AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GRANT OF STUDENT DISCOUNTS ON MOBILE
LOAD AND INTERNET SERVICES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As we evolve and live in modern times, technology has also reached education
through modern innovations in the digital world by adopting hybrid formats. Access
to stable internet and telecommunications services have become a fundamental
component of learning. However, a significant number of students, particularly from
low to middle-income families, face challenges due to the high cost of mobile data and
internet services.

This bill aims to institutionalize and expand the Twenty percent (20%) discaunt
students have the privilege to use on fares—this time on mobile prepaid load, postpaid
plans, and internet services to support online learning and digital education. It also
provides qualifications and safeguards to prevent abuse and ensure fairness.
Furthermore, this bill obliges telecommunication companies to cooperate in
implementing the privilege and imposes penalties for unjustified non-compliance.


Through the help of Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV, his Senate Bill
on the “Act Institutionalizing the Grant of Student Load Discount Privilege on Mobile
and Internet Services and For Other Purposes" served as an inspiration for this Bill
and hopes to streamline the two in unifying the same intent and purpose.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

DIMAGUILA, JR.
d of Representatives


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Sepsion

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative WALFREDO “ARMAN” R. DIMAGUILA, JR.

AN ACT

INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GRANT OF STUDENT DISCOUNTS ON MOBILE
LOAD AND INTERNET SERVICES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SEC. 1. Short Title, - This Act shall be known as the "Student Mobile Load
Discount Act." *

SEC. 2. Declaration of State Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the

State to:

Promote equitable access to quality education for all learners
through affordable technological resources;

. Recognize and support the increasing use of mobile and internet

services in education in the digital age;


2 c. Protect the welfare of students by easing financial burdens

3 associated with online learning; and
4

15 d. Encourage collaboration between the government and the private
16 sector, particularly telecommunication companies, in advancing
7 education and digital inclusion.

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19 SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following terms
20 shall mean:

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2 a. Student - Any Filipino citizen currently enrolled in a recognized
23 academic institution in the Philippines, including primary, secondary,
24 tertiary, and technical-vocational institutions, whether public or
25 private.

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27 b. Mobile Load - Prepaid mobile credits used for calls, text, and data
28 services.

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30 c. Postpaid Plan— A subscription-based telecommunication service plan
31 billed monthly.

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33 d. Internet Services — Any internet connection service provided by
34 Internet Service Providers (i.e, mobile data, broadband, fiber,
35 Digital Subscriber Line).

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37 e. Telecommunication Companies — Entities authorized by the National
38 Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to provide mobile and
39 internet services in the Philippines.

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a f. Online Learning — A method of education where students access
42 learning materials, attend classes, or communicate with teachers

43 using internet-based platforms.


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SEC. 4. Student Discount Privilege. - All duly registered students shall be entitled
to a Twenty percent (20%) discount on the following:

a. Mobile prepaid load;

b. Mobile postpaid subscriptions (monthly bill amount up to P1,500
only); and

c. Home or personal internet subscription plans intended for online
learning in an amount not exceeding Two Thousand Five Hundred
Pesos (PhP2,500.00) per month.

SEC. 5. Student Availment. — To avail of the discount, a student must possess

the following:

a. Filipino citizenship and currently enrolled in an academic institution
recognized by the Department of Education ("DepEd"), Commission
on Higher Education (“CHED"), or Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (* 7ESDA’);

b. Have a valid school ID, current enrollment form, or a digital
enrollment confirmation from the school;

c. Register with their preferred telecom provider through an official
online or physical application form, subject to annual validation; and

d. Avail of only one discount per individual account, whether prepaid,
postpaid, or home internet.

SEC. 6. Prohibition Against Double Discounts. — A student shall not be
entitled to multiple discounts under this Act. The discount shall apply to only one
account or service per student at any given time. Telecommunication companies must
implement systems to validate and prevent duplicate discounts using the student's
name, school, and mobile number or account ID.


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SEC. 7. Partnerships with Telecommunication Companies. - All
telecommunication companies operating in the Philippines are mandated to:

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Implement this discount program within sixty (60) days of the law's
effectivity;

Coordinate with DepEd, CHED, or TESDA, and the Department of
Information and Communications Technology (the “DICT”) to verify
student eligibility and prevent abuse;

a

°

. Develop application systems, both online and physical, for students
to enroll in the discount program;

a

|. Include the discounted amount clearly in their monthly billing
‘statements or transaction receipts.

SEC. 8. Tax Deduction for TELCOs. — Telecommunication companies may claim
tax deductions equivalent to the cost of the discount granted, subject to the rules to
be promulgated by the Bureau of Intemal Revenue.

SEC. 9. Oversight and Monitoring. — The DICT, in coordination with DepEd,
CHED, TESDA, and the NTC, shall be the lead implementing agency and shall establish
a centralized Student Discount Monitoring System to verify student eligibility, audit
telecom compliance, handle complaints and disputes; and generate annual reports for
Congress and the Office of the President.

SEC. 10. Penalties. — The following penalties shall be imposed for violation of
this Act:

a. Any telecommunication company that willfully refuses to implement
the mandated discount shall be liable to:


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+ A fine of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP500,000.00) to Two
Million Pesos (PhP2,000,000.00) per verified violation;

+ Possible suspension of their permit to operate, upon repeated
non-compliance.

b. Any individual or student found falsifying documents to obtain the
discount shall be subject to:

+ Suspension of discount privilege; and

+ Possible criminal liability under existing laws for falsification of
public documents.

SEC.11. Funding. — Initial funding for the administrative implementation of this
Act shall be sourced from the current budget of the DICT. Subsequent allocations shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within 60 days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DICT, in consultation with DepEd, CHED, TESDA, NTC, and
major telecom companies, shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 15. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

APPROVED.