TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JJL-3 ?6:08
SENATE
S. No. 126
Introduced by Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GRANT OF STUDENT LOAD DISCOUNT 
PRIVILEGE ON MOBILE AND INTERNET SERVICES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In today's learning environment, access to communication and internet services 
is no longer a luxury. It is a basic educational necessity. Whether for attending online 
classes, submitting assignments, or accessing digital learning materials, students now 
rely on mobile and internet connectivity as an integral part of their academic life.
Yet for many Filipino students, especially those from low- and middle-income 
families, the cost of maintaining regular access to mobile data and internet services 
remains a significant burden. This ongoing digital divide continues to limit educational 
participation and learning outcomes, particularly In remote, rural, and underserved 
areas.
The proposed measure seeks to address this gap by institutionalizing a 20% 
discount on mobile load, text, call, and internet services for ail enrolled students from 
elementary to tertiary levels. By easing the cost of connectivity, this measure provides 
meaningful financial relief to students and their families, while reinforcing the role of 
digital tools in modern education.
To support the long-term viability of the program and encourage private sector 
collaboration, the bill also provides that telecommunications companies (TELCOs) may 
claim tax deductions equivalent to the value of the discounts granted. This incentive 
recognizes the contribution of the telecommunications industry and helps ensure the 
program's sustainability.
Ultimately, this bill reaffirms the State's duty to promote equitable access to 
quality education. In a world where connectivity has become foundational to learning, 
no student should be left behind simply because they cannot afford to stay online. 
Through this targeted support, we take one concrete step toward a more inclusive, 
accessible, and future-ready education system.


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


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL-3 P6:C8
SENATE
s. No. 126
Introduced by Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV
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 We. This Act shall be known as the "Student Discount Para
2 
Sa Load 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,
5 
accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. 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
9 
online learning needs. To achieve this, the State shall:
10 
(a) Establish a mechanism that ensures the mandatory grant of a student load
11 
discount privilege;
12 
(b) Enlist the cooperation of telecommunication companies (TELCOs) in extending
13 
assistance to students through this privilege; and
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(c) Encourage students, particularly the poor and underprivileged, to utilize digital
15 
tools for education.


1 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
2 
(a) Student refers to any Filipino citizen currently enrolled in a duly authorized
3 
elementary, secondary, technical-vocational, or higher education institution, excluding
4 
post-graduate degree courses;
5 
(b) Telecommunication Companies (TELCOs) refer to companies providing mobile,
6 
text, call, and internet services in the Philippines;
7 
(c) Retailers refer to individuals or business establishments, whether physical or
8 
online, duly authorized to sell or distribute prepaid mobile load, mobile data, call and
9 
text services, and other internet services to consumers on behalf of TELCOs;
10 
(d) Student Load Discount refers to a twenty percent (20%) discount on prepaid and
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postpaid mobile load, text, call, and internet services availed by eligible students.
12 
Sec. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all telecommunication services,
13 
including but not limited to:
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(a) Prepaid mobile load for text, call, and data;
15 
(b) Postpaid mobile plans; and
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(c) Broadband and internet services used for educational purposes.
17 
Sec. 5. Student Load Discount Privilege. - A student shall be entitled to a twenty
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(20%) discount on mobile load, text, call, and internet services, subject to the
19 
following conditions:
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(a) The discount shall be applied upon presentation of a valid school ID or proof of
21 
enrollment;
22 
(b) The discount shall be available year-round, including weekends and holidays; and
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(c) The discount shall apply only to personal educational use and may not be
24 
transferred.


1 
Sec. 6. Prohibition on Doubie Discounts. - Students cannot avail of multiple
2 
discounts at the same time. If a promotional discount from a TELCO is higher than
3 
twenty (20%), the student may choose which discount to apply.
4 
Sec. 7. Tax Deduction for TELCOs. - TELCOs may claim tax deductions
5 
equivalent to the cost of the discount granted, subject to the rules to be promulgated
6 
by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
7 
Sec. 8. Impiementation and Monitoring. - The National Telecommunications
8 
Commission (NTC) and the Department of Information and Communications
9 
Technology (DICT) shall oversee the implementation of this Act. TELCOs shall submit
10 
quarterly reports on compliance.
11 
Sec. 9. Penaities. -The following penalties shall be imposed for violation of this
12 
Act:
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(a) TELCOs that refuse to grant the discount provided under this Act shall be fined:
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1. Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000) for the first offense;
15 
2. One Hundred Thousand Pesos (R100,000) for the second offense; and
16 
3. Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (R200,000) for the third and subsequent
17 
offenses.
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(b) Retailers who, without justifiable reason, fail or refuse to provide the student load
19 
discount, or who impose conditions contrary to the intent of this Act, shall be subject
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to the following penalties:
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1. Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos (P25,000) for the first offense;
22 
2. Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000) for the second offense; and
23 
3. One Hundred Thousand Pesos (R100,000) and possible disqualification or
24 
blacklisting from being an accredited load or service retailer for the third and
25 
subsequent offenses.


1 
Provided, That the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in coordination with the
2 
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), shall maintain a list of erring
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retailers and may issue orders of disqualification for habitual non-compliance.
4 
(c) Any student found using fraudulent documents to avail of the discount shall be
5 
disqualified from the privilege without prejudice to the filing of appropriate criminal
6 
charges for such act.
7
8 
Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
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the effectivity of this Act, the NTC, DICT, Department of Education (DepEd), and the
10 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall promulgate the rules and regulations
11 
to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
12 
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is declared
13 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
14 
remain in full force and effect.
15 
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, decrees, executive orders, issuances,
16 
and rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to and inconsistent with
17 
this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
18
19 
Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,