NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
: | •
oftJjee
24 JUL-8 A 8 .23
SENATE
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR STUDENTS, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides that, "the State shall 
protect and promote the rights of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall 
take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all." Despite this 
constitutional mandate, Filipinos' equitable access to quality education remains evasive 
all throughout the years of their formal education.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), nearly 11 million Filipino 
children and youth are not attending formal school. The PSA said that 10.7 million or 
25%, out of 42.8 million household population aged five to twenty-four (24) years old, 
are out-of-school children and youth. One of the primary reasons for their non- 
attendance was financial constraints or high education cost.
To help alleviate the financial burden of Filipino students and their families due 
to the rising cost of education, this measure seeks to grant privileges, benefits, and 
discounts to students.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
/ImEE R. MARCOS


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
V Irr of 11)? £ '■ rt.'-i
24 JUL-8 A 8 -23
SENATE
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR STUDENTS, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta for 
Students'Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and promote 
the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps 
to make such education accessible to all. Towards this end, the State shall establish, 
maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education 
relevant to the needs of the people and society.
Sec. 3. Coverage. - Any Filipino student enrolled in basic education, bachelor's 
degree programs at the college level and post-secondary non-degree technical- 
vocational courses shall be covered under this Act.
Sec. 4. Privileges, Benefits, and Discounts. - Filipino students shall be entitled 
to the following:
a. A ten percent (10%) discount on textbooks and other school supplies as well 
as electronic devices, such as but not limited to computers, laptops, tablets 
and other electronic devices ,which may hereinafter be prescribed, used 
primarily by the student for online or distance learning;
b. A twenty percent (20%) discount on domestic regular fares, upon personal 
presentation of their duly issued school identification cards (IDs) or current 
validated enrollment form, supported by the prescribed government-issued


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identification document, as provided in Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11314 
otherwise known as the "Student Fare Discount Act";
c. Counseling and psychosocial services which include individual and peer 
group, including family counseling, as may be necessary. The counselling 
and psychosocial services shall focus on the resolution of personal 
relationship and role conflicts;
d. Livelihood development services which include Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority (TESDA) trainings, livelihood skills, value orientation, 
and the provision of seed capital or job placements, as may be necessary;
e. Critical incidence stress debriefing which includes preventive stress 
management strategy designed to assist students in coping with crisis 
situations and cases of abuse;
f. 
Special assistance for students in need of protection which include temporary 
shelter, counseling, legal assistance, medical care, self-concept or ego­
building, crisis management, and spiritual enrichment; and
g. Medical assistance implemented by the DOH through their retained hospitals 
and medical centers, and the LGUs through their respective provincial, 
district, city, and municipal hospitals and rural health units (RHUs).
Sec. 5. Cash Aid for Indigent Students. - In addition to the privileges, benefits, 
and discounts provided in Sec. 4 of this Act, indigent students shall also be granted a 
quarterly cash aid to cover education-related expenses, as follows:
a. Php 1,000.00 for elementary students;
b. Php 2,000.00 for high school students; and
c. Php 3,000.00 for college students or those taking vocational courses.
"Education-related expenses" shall refer to expenses related to the education 
of a student such as books, school supplies, uniforms, reproduction of materials, 
electronic devices necessary for education and other fees such as for practical teaching 
devices student publication, yearbook, insurance, and student trust fund, among 
others.
For purposes of this Act, those whose parents have a gross annual income of 
not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php250,000.00) shall be considered 
as indigent students. Provided that, only two (2) students per family may avail of such 
cash aid. Provided further that, the previously mentioned gross annual threshold shall 
be subject to review by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 
every three (3) years.


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Sec. 6. Lead Agency on the Grant of Quarterly Cash Aid. - The Department of 
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall take the lead in the implementation of 
the quarterly cash aid, as provided in Section 5 of this Act, in close coordination with 
NEDA and other relevant government agencies.
Sec. 7. Grounds for Qualifications and Disqualifications for the Quarterly Cash 
Aid for Indigent Students. - The DSWD, Department of Education (DepEd), Technical 
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED) shall identify the qualifications and disqualifications of indigent 
students from the quarterly cash aid, as provided in Sec. 5 of this Act, in conformity 
with its implementing rules and regulations.
Sec. 8. Tax Incentives. - Discounts granted by the establishments to the 
students shall be treated as allowable deductions from their gross income in the 
computation of the income tax in accordance with the provisions of the National 
Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended by R.A. No. 10963, otherwise known as 
the "Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN).
Sec. 9. Flexible Classes Schedule. - The universities, colleges, and schools shall 
provide for a flexible schedule for students. Provided that, the same shall not affect the 
student's productivity.
Sec. 10. Non-Discrimination of Students. - No university, college, and/or school 
shall discriminate against any student or student applicant with respect to the academic 
terms and conditions on account of his or her status.
Sec. 11. Medical Assistance. - The Department of Health (DOH) shall develop a 
comprehensive health care program for students in accordance with R.A. No. 11223 
otherwise known as the "Universal Health Care Act". The program shall be implemented 
by the DOH through their retained hospitals and medical centers, and the LGUs through 
their respective provincial, district, city, and municipal hospitals and rural health units 
(RHUs).
Sec. 12. Database of all Students. - The DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, shall 
establish and maintain a centralized database of all students which shall be annually 
updated by each accordingly.
Sec. 13. Record and Maintenance of Indigent Students Database. - The DSWD, 
in consultation with the DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, shall establish and maintain a 
centralized database of all indigent students who have been accredited, in accordance 
with this Act. To this end, the LGUs shall submit the list of students receiving benefits 
under this Act to the DepEd, CHED, and TESDA as the case may be, on a quarterly 
basis.


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In cases of multiple entries or other badges of fraud, the DepEd, CHED or TESDA 
shall notify the concerned LGU for its appropriate action.
Sec. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, DepEd, TESDA and CHED, in coordination with 
the Department of Finance (DOF) and NEDA, shall issue the rules and regulations 
necessary for the implementation of this Act.
Sec. 15. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be included in the budget of the concerned departments and/or agencies 
in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Sec. 16. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect.
Sec. 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of 
general circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,