Estrada pushes 5% discount for poor students

Senator Jinggoy Estrada is seeking to provide financial relief for low-income learners through a proposed measure that would mandate a five percent discount on a wide range of education-related expenses.

Under Senate Bill 1063 or the “Underprivileged Students’ Discount Act,” qualified students would be entitled to discounts on tuition, food, medicines, school supplies, and learning devices such as laptops and tablets.

Estrada said Friday the measure is intended to ease the day-to-day financial strain of students from poor families, including those enrolled in technical-vocational programs.

“Maraming estudyante ang kapos sa panggastos araw-araw kaya bawat pisong natitipid nila ay napakahalaga,” he said.

He added that modern learning requirements have made digital tools essential rather than optional.

“Sa panahon ngayon, hindi na luho ang laptop, tablet, o cellphone. Kailangan na ang mga ito para makasabay sa pag-aaral. At lalong hindi luho ang pagkain, tuition, at school supplies. Kaya bawat diskwento ay malaking ginhawa para sa mga estudyante at kanilang pamilya,” he said.

The bill defines eligible beneficiaries as students from households earning below ₱250,000 annually, or about ₱20,000 per month. Working students may also qualify as long as their household income falls within the threshold.

If enacted, the discount would cover tuition and other school fees, food establishments, pharmacies, bookstores, and retailers of essential learning devices. It would also extend to entrance fees for museums, theaters, and cultural activities.

Estrada said the proposal would not affect existing scholarships, vouchers, or government educational assistance programs.

To support implementation, establishments granting the discount may treat it as an allowable tax deduction under the National Internal Revenue Code.

Under the measure, the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will identify qualified students and issue official identification cards to beneficiaries.