Miriam seeks discounts for poor college students

Here’s some good news for working college students.

With the spiralling costs of tuition, basic goods and transport fares, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago is proposing a discount card for underprivileged students that will give them perks similar to those granted to senior citizens.

Santiago filed S.B. No. 2177 or the "Underprivileged College Students Discount Act" which seeks to give discounts to working college students whose annual gross income combined with their parents’ annual income do not exceed P100,000.

She said a five percent discount shall be granted to underprivileged college students by food establishments, canteens, restaurants, public transport operators, drug stores, and bookstores, provided that these establishments may claim the cost as tax credit.

Furthermore, Defensor Santiago said even schools should grant a five percent discount to working college students, even if they will avail of the government‘s "Study Now, Pay Later Plan."

"Filipinos still cannot afford the rising cost of education. As a result, a substantial number of students take part time jobs to cover the expenses. Others cut their expenses on basic needs such as food, medicine, clothing and housing," she said.

Santiago filed the bill on behalf of six college students who drafted it as part of their final requirements in Santiago‘s one month Senate internship program called "Summer sa Senado."

They are Alfred de Guzman (UP Diliman), Karlos Entuna (PLM), Deona Figura (University of Nueva Caceres), Kerwyn Garcia (UST), Michael Pernites (PSDA), and Sandee Recabar (Miriam College).

According to Santiago, the Department of Education, Culture and sports will have to establish an Office for the Underprivileged College Students in the Commission on Higher Education to implement the program.

She said establishment that will not honor the underprivileged college students discount card will pay a fine of P2,000 or face imprisonment for one month.

The bill aims to alleviate the burden of shouldering educational expenses placed on the students.

The government instituted a similar discount mechanism for assisting senior citizens in R.A. No. 7432.