SENATOR Jinggoy Estrada has filed a measure seeking expanded financial assistance for underprivileged Filipino students, including those enrolled in technical-vocational courses.

Under Senate Bill No. 1063, or the proposed Underprivileged Students’ Discount Act, qualified students would be entitled to a mandatory five percent discount on essential education-related expenses, including tuition, food, medicines, school supplies, and learning gadgets.

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

The measure aims to ease the financial burden of struggling families, particularly those earning less than PHP250,000 annually, or around PHP20,000 a month.

Under the bill, qualified beneficiaries may avail of discounts in food establishments, pharmacies, drugstores, and stores selling reference books, school supplies, laptops, tablets, and other devices used for online and distance learning.

The proposed discount would also cover tuition, miscellaneous, and other school fees, as well as entrance fees to museums, theaters, and cultural events.

Working students may also qualify for the discount, provided their combined household income falls within the prescribed threshold.

Estrada clarified that the proposed benefit would not affect a student’s eligibility for scholarships, vouchers, and other forms of government or school-based educational assistance.

To encourage compliance, participating establishments would be granted tax incentives by allowing the discounts they provide to be treated as allowable deductions from gross income under the National Internal Revenue Code.

“This bill is not just about discounts. It is about ensuring that education remains a right, not a privilege. Palagi nating sinasabi na hindi dapat maging hadlang ang kahirapan para makapagtapos sa pag-aaral. Panahon na para gawin natin itong mas makatotohanan at mas abot-kamay para sa bawat Pilipinong estudyante,” the senator said.

Under the proposal, the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority would identify qualified beneficiaries and issue identification cards to eligible students.