Senate Offite of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 MAY -5 P 3:43 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVED BY: 2102 S. No. — Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GRANT OF INTERNSHIP ALLOWANCE FOR STUDENTS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN THE PHILIPPINES EXPLANATORY NOTE Internship programs are integral components of tertiary education. They serve as the critical bridge between theory and practice, allowing students to translate classroom learning into real-world application while developing the technical competencies, professional discipline, and workplace values required for meaningful employment. For many degree and technical vocational programs, the completion of an internship is not optional but a mandated academic requirement, often the final major hurdle before graduation and entry into the workforce. Yet for many Filipino students, particularly those from low-income households, completing this requirement comes at a cost they can scarcely afford. Transportation, meals, uniforms, documentation, and other incidental expenses accumulate over weeks or months of training. In health, education, engineering, hospitality, and other practice-based programs, these costs are compounded by extended hours, shifting schedules, or assignments outside the student's home community. For families already struggling to meet daily needs, such expenses can delay completion, compel students to take on debt, or prevent graduation despite the fulfillment of all other academic requirements. This measure seeks to close that gap. By institutionalizing a one-time Student Internship Allowance of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) for students who
successfully complete their required internship, the State affirms its commitment to accessible and quality education, promotes equitable opportunity, and supports a smoother transition from school to work. It recognizes that internships are not merely academic exercises but essential pathways to employment, professional licensure, and workforce readiness. This measure likewise complements existing national efforts to strengthen human capital development by ensuring that investments in education translate into actual degree completion and employability. By supporting students at the final stage of their training, the State helps produce graduates who are ready to contribute productively to national development, and ensures that financial hardship is never the reason a qualified student fails to graduate. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. -LOREN LEGARDA
Scuate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES MAY -5 P3:43 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: 2102 S. No. — Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Student Internship Allowance
2 Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration of State Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
4 to promote accessible and quality education for all, and to provide adequate support 5 to students in the fulfillment of their academic and professional requirements. The State recognizes that internship programs are integral to the development 7 of a competent and job-ready workforce, and that the direct costs associated with 8 these programs may prevent students from low-income backgrounds from completing 9 their education. Toward this end, the State shall institutionalize a targeted financial assistance grant for students who successfully complete their required internship, to advance educational equity, foster inclusive economic participation, and support a successful school-to-work transition.
Sec. 3. Definition of Term. - As used in this Act, the term "internship" refers to
any form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the 16 classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional or
1 workplace setting, as required by the student's academic curriculum or certification program, however denominated, including but not limited to practicum, on-the-job training (OJT), clinical exposure, field practice, industry immersion, and other similar 4 experiences.
Sec. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all Filipino students enrolled in any
6 public or private Higher Education Institution (HEI) duly recognized by the Commission 7 on Higher Education (CHED), or in any Technical-Vocational Institution (TVI) 8 accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), who 9 are required to complete an internship as a mandatory component of their academic 10 curriculum or certification requirements. The grant of allowance shall extend to students enrolled in undergraduate, diploma, certificate, and technical-vocational programs, whether full-time or part-time, provided they satisfy the eligibility criteria under Section 6 of this Act.
Sec. 5. Student Internship Allowance. - A one-time Student Internship
15 Allowance in the amount of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) shall be granted to each eligible student who has been duly certified by the HEI or TVI as having successfully completed the internship required under their academic curriculum or certification program. The allowance shall be intended to defray the student's subsistence, transportation, documentation, and other necessary incidental costs incurred during the internship period. The Student Internship Allowance shall be non-taxable and non-transferable, and shall not be subject to any deductions by the host establishment or the educational institution. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish any right, benefit, or entitlement accruing to student interns under other applicable laws and issuances.
Sec. 6. Eligibility. - To be entitled to the Student Internship Allowance, a
student must: (a) Be a Filipino citizen enrolled in a duly recognized HEI or accredited TVI; (b) Be required to undertake an internship as a mandatory component of the student's academic curriculum or certification program; (c) Have completed the prescribed number of internship hours as provided in the
approved curriculum or training program guidelines; 2 (d) Have submitted all required post-internship reports, evaluations, and supporting documentation to the HEI or TVI; and (e) Have been certified by the HEI or TVI as having successfully completed the internship, on the basis of a passing or satisfactory final assessment by the institution, taking into account the evaluation of the host training establishment, as applicable.
Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The initial amount necessary for the implementation
9 of this Act shall be charged against the current budget of the CHED and TESDA. 10 Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Sec. 8. 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 the implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 10. 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.
Sec. 11. Effectivity. - Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the implementing
rules and regulations, this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,