Magna Carta for Students Act

25 JUL 15 P3:18 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session RICELED U SENATE S.B. No. - Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR STUDENTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides that, "the State shall

protect and promote the rights of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all." Despite this constitutional mandate, Filipinos' equitable access to quality education remains a significant challenge all throughout their years of formal education. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), nearly 11 million Filipino children and youth are not attending formal school. The PSA reports that 10.7 million, or 25% out of 42.8 million household population aged five to twenty-four (24) years old, are out-of-school children and youth. One of the primary and persistent reasons for their non-attendance is financial constraints or the high cost of education. Financial instability is casting a shadow over the future of higher education institutions (HEls) in the country, according to a recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). In an article by the Business World, dated 18 March 2025, 6% of working students drop out of school due to limited financial capacity, while others were forced to drop out due to family responsibilities (38%), and difficulty in work and life balance (29%). The study noted that flexibility in time and finances is the most crucial way to help lighten the burden of working students. To directly address this pressing issue and help alleviate the financial burden of Filipino students and their families due to the rising costs associated with education, this urgent measure seeks to grant privileges, benefits, and discounts to students.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. IMEER. MARCOST

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE) JUL 15 P3:18 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session RECEIVED & SENATE S.B. No. 652 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR STUDENTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta for

Students' Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and promote

the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. Towards this end, the State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society.

Sec. 3. Coverage. - Any Filipino student enrolled in basic education, bachelor's

9 degree programs at the college level, and post-secondary non-degree technical- vocational courses shall be covered under this Act.

Sec. 4. Privileges, Benefits, and Discounts. - Filipino students shall be entitled

to the following: a. A ten percent (10% discount on textbooks and other school supplies as well as electronic devices, such as but not limited to computers, laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices, which may hereinafter be prescribed, used primarily by the student for online or distance learning;

b. A twenty percent (20%) discount on domestic regular fares, upon personal presentation of their duly issued school identification cards (IDs) or current validated enrollment form, supported by the prescribed government-issued identification document, as provided for in Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11314, otherwise known as the "Student Fare Discount Act;" c. Counseling and psychosocial services, which include individual and peer 7 group counseling, including family counseling, as may be necessary. Counselling and psychosocial services shall focus on the resolution of personal relationship and role 9 conflicts; d. Livelihood development services, which include Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) trainings, livelihood skills, value orientation, and the provision of seed capital or job placements, as may be necessary; e. Critical incidence stress debriefing, which includes preventive stress management strategy designed to assist students in coping with crisis situations and cases of abuse; f. Special assistance for students in need of protection, which include temporary shelter, counseling, legal assistance, medical care, self-concept or ego- building, crisis management, and spiritual enrichment; and g. Medical assistance implemented by the Department of Health (DOH), through their retained hospitals and medical centers, and Local Government Units (LGUs), through their respective provincial, district, city, and municipal hospitals and rural health units (RHUs).

Sec. 5. Cash Aid for Indigent Students. - In addition to the privileges, benefits,

and discounts provided for in Sec. 4 of this Act, indigent students shall also be granted a quarterly cash aid to cover education-related expenses, as follows: a. Php 1,000.00 for elementary students; b. Php 2,000.00 for high school students; and c. Php 3,000.00 for college students or those taking vocational courses.

"Education-related expenses" shall refer to expenses related to the education of a student, such as books, school supplies, uniforms, reproduction of materials, electronic devices necessary for education, and other fees such as for practical teaching devices student publication, yearbook, insurance, and student trust fund, among others. For purposes of this Act, those whose parents have a gross annual income of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php250,000.00) shall be considered as indigent students. Provided that, only two (2) students per family may avail of such cash aid. Provided further that, the previously mentioned gross annual threshold shall be subject to review by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) every three (3) years.

Sec. 6. Lead Implementing Agency on the Grant of Quarterly Cash Aid. - The

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall be the primary agency responsible for the implementation of the quarterly cash aid, as provided for in Sec. 5 of this Act, in close coordination with DEPDev, and other relevant government agencies.

Sec. 7. Grounds for Qualifications and Disqualifications for the Quarterly Cash

17 Aid for Indigent Students. - The DSWD, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall identify the qualifications and disqualifications of indigent students for the quarterly cash aid, as provided for in Sec. 5 of this Act, in conformity with its implementing rules and regulations.

Sec. 8. Tax Incentives. - Discounts granted by the establishments to students

shall be treated as allowable deductions from their gross income in the computation of their income tax, in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended.

Sec. 9. Flexible Class Schedule. - Universities, colleges, and schools shall adopt

and implement flexible class schedules for their students. Provided that, such flexible schedules shall not affect nor compromise the academic performance of students.

Sec. 10. Non-Discrimination of Students. - No university, college, or school shall

discriminate against any student or student applicant with respect to the academic terms and conditions on account of their status.

Sec. 11. Medical Assistance. - The DOH shall formulate and develop a

5 comprehensive health care program for students, in accordance with the provisions of R.A. No. 11223, otherwise known as the "Universal Health Care Act". The program shall 7 be implemented by the DOH, through their retained hospitals and medical centers, and 8 the LGUs, through their respective provincial, district, city, and municipal hospitals, and RHUS.

Sec. 12. Database of all Students. - The DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, shall

establish and maintain a centralized and secured database encompassing all students under their jurisdiction, which shall be annually updated by each agency accordingly.

Sec. 13. Database of Indigent Students. - The DSWD, in consultation with the

DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, shall establish and maintain a centralized and secured database of all indigent students accredited under this Act. To this end, the LGUs shall submit, on a quarterly basis, a verified list of students receiving benefits under this Act to the DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, as the case may be. In cases where multiple entries, inconsistencies, or other badges of fraud are identified, the DepEd, CHED or TESDA shall immediately notify the concerned LGU for its appropriate action.

Sec. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from

the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, DepEd, TESDA, and CHED, in coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF) and DEPDev, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act.

Sec. 15. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of

this Act shall be included in the budget of the concerned departments and/or agencies in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Sec. 16. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive

order, letter of instruction, administrative order, ordinance, rule or regulation, or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

Sec. 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following

9 the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. Approved,