New Bill Seeks to Provide Discounts for Underprivileged Students
In an effort to support underprivileged students, Bicol Saro party-list Representative Brian Raymund Yamsuan has pushed for the enactment of a bill that aims to grant a 5% discount on tuition, school supplies, and electronic gadgets for online learning.
The proposed Underprivileged Students’ Discount Act (House Bill 1850) stipulates that qualified students will also receive a 5% discount on books, food, and medicine purchases.
Additionally, the bill proposes a 5% discount on entrance fees to museums, theaters, and cultural events organized by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
“This measure will significantly provide relief to the financial woes continuously faced by poor students in pursuing their education. A 5% discount may not mean much to those who can afford to buy everything they need for school. But this would be a big help to students and their families struggling to make ends meet,” stated Yamsuan.
“We hope that through this measure, many underprivileged students would be encouraged to continue their studies and tread the path towards a bright and stable future,” he added.
To qualify, students’ parents must not earn more than PHP 250,000 per year and must be enrolled in basic education, post-secondary non-degree technical vocational courses, or bachelor’s degree programs.
The PHP 250,000 threshold is set to be reviewed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) every three years to ensure its relevance.
The discounts provided by private establishments can be deducted from their tax obligations.
The Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will identify students eligible for the program and issue the necessary identification cards.
Establishments that fail to comply will face temporary suspension of their operating license and fines ranging from PHP 20,000 to PHP 250,000. (Billy Begas)