Student Interns Might Finally Get Better Pay And More Protection Under These Proposed Bills

For many students, internships are often seen as the exciting bridge between school and the "real world." It's where theories finally get tested outside the classroom, where students get their first glimpse of workplace culture, and where they start figuring out whether the career path they chose actually feels right for them.

While the experience is meant to focus on learning, many interns also spend weeks or even months dedicating time, effort, and money just to complete their required hours. From daily transportation expenses and meal budgets to uniforms, documents, and work materials, internships can quickly become another financial responsibility students have to carry on top of their academic workload.

Under the proposed Senate Bill 2157 or the Student Internship Allowance Act, filed by Senator Raffy Tulfo on May 25, 2026, qualified students completing required internships, on-the-job training (OJT), or practicum programs could receive a P10,000 allowance to help offset the expenses that often come with the experience.

The proposal covers students from public and private colleges and universities recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as well as learners in Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-accredited technical-vocational programs that require internships or practicums for completion. If enacted, the allowance could help ease some of the financial pressure that students face while balancing academics and workplace training.

As of writing, the Senate bill remains a proposed measure. Like other proposed laws, it must still go through several stages before it can officially become law.

But this isn’t the first recent proposal pushing for better treatment and support for interns. Over the past year, several House bills have also been filed seeking to improve internship conditions through allowances, fair compensation, and stronger protections for student interns.

Back in October 2025, Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno, together with fellow lawmakers, filed House Bill No. 5081 or the Interns' Rights and Welfare Act.

The proposal goes beyond financial assistance by pushing for stronger workplace protections, structured learning plans, and formal internship agreements to ensure students are gaining meaningful experience and not just being assigned unrelated tasks.

Among its key provisions is financial compensation for interns. Students in government agencies would receive a stipend equivalent to 75 percent of Salary Grade 1, Step 1, while those in private companies would get 75 percent of the applicable minimum wage based on hours rendered, with tax exemptions included.

The bill also proposes safeguards on working hours, rest days, and protection from abuse and discrimination, alongside a task force involvingmembers from CHED, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Civil Service Commission, and student representatives to handle complaints.

In a separate proposal, Cavite 2nd District Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla filed House Bill No. 9027 or the National Higher Education Internship Framework Act in June. It takes a broader approach by focusing on creating a standardized national system for internships across both public and private higher education institutions.

Like House Bill 5081, this bill proposes that interns performing productive work receive a stipend or allowance equivalent to at least 75 percent of the prevailing regional minimum wage, computed based on the actual hours they render. It also requires formal internship agreements that define learning objectives, work arrangements, and supervision standards, alongside safety coverage and grievance mechanisms for students.

And to encourage compliance from both parties, the bill includes incentives such as tax deductions on stipends, government support programs, and recognition for accredited internship providers.

While the proposals are still under review, we're all for internship experiences that help students learn, grow, and step into their future careers feeling supported every step of the way! 🤗