TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 130ft
HI feroatf
o( t!)i’ Siv. i^vtarp
25 AUG 28 P2:48
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GRANT OF STUDENT LOAD DISCOUNT 
PRIVILEGE ON MOBILE AND INTERNET SERVICES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated the digital transformation 
of education, revealing both opportunities and considerable challenges in the sector. 
Among these challenges are barriers related to access, such as insufficient availability 
of devices, inadequate internet connectivity, and financial limitations, which 
disproportionately affect underprivileged student populations.
Socio-economic inequalities have also highlighted the substantial obstacles to 
implementing fair digital education. Students from economically disadvantaged 
backgrounds often lack the essential resources and support needed for effective 
engagement with online learning facilities.
To address this challenge, this initiative aims to alleviate the financial burdens 
of these students by empowering them and creating a more equitable educational 
environment, while promoting collaboration between the government, educational 
institutions, and telecommunications companies (TELCOs)
Particularly, this bill proposes a twenty percent (20%) discount on mobile load, 
texting, calling, and internet services for eligible students. The discount provided can 
then be claimed as a deduction by TELCOs, therefore incentivizing them to actively 
participate and support a brighter and more prosperous future for the nation's youth.


In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
^—■
MARK A. VILLAR


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1308
Senate
of Il)f A'i riTtarj’
25 AUG 28 P2 48
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GRANT OF STUDENT LOAD DISCOUNT 
PRIVILEGE ON MOBILE AND INTERNET SERVICES
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'.
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. -The State shall give priority to education, science
4 
and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism,
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accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and developmen. It
6 
also recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation building.
7 
Pursuant to these policies, the State ensures equitable access to education by
8 
providing necessary support to students, particularly in their communication and
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online learning needs. To achieve this, the State shall:
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(a) Establish a mechanism that ensures the mandatory grant of a student load
11 
discount privilege;
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(b) Enlist the cooperation of telecommunication companies (TELCOs) in
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extending assistance to students through this privilege; and
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(c) Encourage students, particularly the poor and underprivileged, to utilize
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digital tools for education.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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(a) Student - Any Filipino citizen currently enrolled in a duly authorized
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eiementary, secondary, technical-vocational, or higher education institution, excluding
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post-graduate degree courses.
1


1 
(b) Telecommunication Companies (TELCOs) - Companies providing mobile,
2 
text, call, and internet services in the Philippines.
3 
(c) Student Load Discount - A 20% discount on prepaid and postpaid mobile
4 
load, text, call, and internet services availed by eligible students.
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Sec. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all telecommunication services,
6 
including but not limited to:
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(a) Prepaid mobile load for text, call, and data;
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(b) Postpaid mobile plans; and
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(c) Broadband and internet services used for educational purposes.
10 
Sec. 5. Student Load Discount Privilege. - A student shall be entitled to a twenty
11 
percent (20%) discount on mobile load, text, call, and internet services, subject to the
12 
following conditions:
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(a) The discount shall be applied upon presentation of a valid school ID or proof
14 
of enrollment.
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(b) The discount shall be available year-round, including weekends and
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holidays.
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(c) The discount shall apply only to personal educational use and may not be
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transferred.
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Sec. 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
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20%, the student may choose which discount to apply.
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Sec. 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
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by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
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Sec. 8. Implementation and Monitoring. - The National Telecommunications
26 
Commission (NTC) and the Department of Information and Communications
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Technology (DICT) shall oversee the implementation of this Act. TELCOs shall submit
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quarterly reports on compliance.
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Sec. 9. Penalties. -The following penalties shall be imposed for violation of this
30 
Act, to wit:
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(a) TELCOs that refuse to grant the discount shall be fined Fifty thousand Pesos
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(Php50,000.00) for the first offense. One hundred thousand pesos (Phpl00,000.00)


1 
for the second offense, and Two hundred thousand pesos (Php200,000.00) for the
2 
third and subsequent offenses.
3 
(b) Any student found using fraudulent documents to avail of the discount shall
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be disqualified from the privilege without prejudice to the filing of appropriate criminal
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charges for such act.
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Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within ninety (90) days
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from the effectivity of this Act, the NTC, DICT, Department of Education (DepEd), and
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the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall formulate the IRR necessary to
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implement the provisions Act.
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Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force
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and effect.
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Sec. 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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Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in
16 
the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,