Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

2778

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G.
Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez, Yedda Marie K.
Romualdez, and Jude A. Acidre

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Internship or practicum is an essential requirement in many
academic and technical-vocational programs. It allows students to apply
classroom knowledge in real-world settings and helps prepare them for
future employment. However, many students face financial challenges
during their internship due to transportation, food, documentation, and
other related expenses.

This bill seeks to provide a one-time allowance of Ten Thousand
Pesos (?10,000.00) to students who successfully complete their required
internship or practicum. The allowance will serve as financial support to
ease the burden on students and their families, especially those from low-
income backgrounds.

By institutionalizing this assistance, we recognize the value of
students! efforts during their internships and ensure that financial
constraints do not become a barrier to completing their education.

This is one of the bills proposed during the first Eastern Visayas
Young Leaders Parliament held on December 11-15, 2024.


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

FERDINANI A G. R@MUALDEZ is MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ

ANDREW JULIAN K. ROMUALDEZ JUDE AZACIDRE


Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Que3on City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _2778

Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G.
Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez, Yedda Marie K.
Romualdez, and Jude A. Acidre

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GRANT OF INTERNSHIP ALLOWANCE
FOR STUDENTS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE STATE UNIVERSITIES
AND COLLEGES IN THE PHILIPPINES

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

Section 1. Title — This Act shall be known as the “Student
Internship Allowance Act”

Section 2. Declaration of State Policy - It is the declared policy of
the State to uphold the constitutional mandate to promote accessible and
quality education for all, and to provide adequate support to students in
the fulfillment of their academic and professional requirements.

The State recognizes that internship and practicum programs are integral
to the development of a competent and job-ready workforce, and that the
financial burden associated with these programs may hinder students
from lower-income backgrounds from completing their education.


In this regard, the State shall institutionalize financial ‘support for students
who complete their required internship or practicum, as a measure to
foster inclusive growth, uphold equity in education, and encourage
successful transition from school to work.

Section 3. Coverage — This Act shall apply to all Filipino students
enrolled in any public or private Higher Education Institution (HEI) duly
recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), or in any
Technical-Vocational Institution (TVI) accredited by the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), who are required
to complete an internship, practicum, or on-the-job training (OJT) as part
of their academic or certification requirements.

The grant of allowance shall be extended to students in
undergraduate, diploma, certificate, and technical-vocational programs,
whether enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis, provided they have
satisfactorily completed the required number of internship, practicum, or
OUT hours. Eligibility shall be certified by their respective HEI or TVI,
based on their compliance with the approved curriculum or training
Program guidelines.

Section 4. Student Internship Allowance. - A one-time Internship
Allowance in the amount of Ten Thousand Pesos (?10,000.00) shall be
granted to each qualified student provided they have:

a) Completed the required number of internship/practicum hours
as prescribed by their program;

b) Submitted all documentation and evaluation forms to their
institution; and

c) Have been certified by their HEI or TV! as having successfully
completed their internship/practicum.

A one-time Internship Allowance in the amount of Ten Thousand
Pesos (10,000.00) shall be granted to each qualified student who
successfully completed the internship, practicum, or on-the-job training
(OUT) required by their academic or certification program. The allowance
shall serve as financial assistance to support the student's subsistence,
transportation, documentation, and incidental costs incurred during the
internship period.


For the purposes of this Act, successful completion shall mean the
student intern has:

a) fulfilled the required number of internship or practicum hours as
certified by the host training establishment and the HEI or TVI;

b) submitted all post-internship reports, evaluations, and related
documentation as required by their institution; and

¢) received a passing or satisfactory final assessment from both the
institution and the host entity, if applicable.

The allowance shall be non-taxable and non-transferable, and shall
not be subject to any deductions by the host establishment or the
educational institution.

Moreover, this Act shall not diminish other rights or benefits due to
‘student interns under separate applicable laws or regulations.

Section 5. Appropriations. - The initial amount necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current budget of
the CHED and TESDA Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for the
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Section 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty
(60) days from the approval of this Act, the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), in coordination with the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM), shall jointly issue an implementing rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Section 7. Separability Clause. - \f any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected
shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees,
executive orders, letters of instruction, proclamations or administrative
regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Section 9. Effectivity. - Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the
implementing rules and regulations, this Act shall take effect fifteen (15)

3


days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of
general circulation.

Approved,