CAVITE 2nd District Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla is pushing for the institutionalization of mandatory allowances for college students undergoing internships or on-the-job training (OJT) to help ease the financial burden on their families.

Under House Bill No. 9027, or the proposed National Higher Education Internship Framework Act, companies, government agencies, and other host institutions would be required to provide student interns with a mandatory allowance.

The measure proposes a stipend equivalent to 75% of the prevailing regional minimum wage, ensuring that students are fairly compensated for work performed during their training period.

Mercado-Revilla said the bill aims to address reports that many student interns perform actual production work while shouldering their own expenses. In some cases, students are even required to pay placement, training, or administrative fees.

According to the lawmaker, internships should not become an additional financial burden on families, especially those from low-income households already struggling to support their children’s education.

“This initiative aims to protect students from exploitative arrangements while promoting fair and meaningful work-based learning experiences,” she said.

The proposed legislation seeks to establish a standardized national framework for internships that balances educational requirements with the rights and welfare of student trainees.