A measure seeking to compel companies, government agencies, and other host institutions to provide a mandatory allowance to college students undergoing work-related internships have been filed in the House of Representatives.

Pursuing this proposed law was Cavite 2nd district Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, who filed House Bill (HB) No. 9027, or the proposed National Higher Education Internship Framework Act, for this purpose.

Mercado-Revilla filed the HB No. 9027 amid concerns that some internship and training programs require students to shoulder significant costs, and in certain cases, pay program, placement, training, or administrative fees in order to complete internship requirements.

She notes that while many legitimate internships are unpaid and do not charge participants, there are persistent reports of fee-based internship arrangements that have raised questions about fairness and accessibility for students.

Under the bill, students performing productive work as part of their required internship program would be entitled to receive a stipend or allowance equivalent to at least 75 percent of the prevailing regional minimum wage, based on actual attendance and hours worked.

Mercado-Revilla said the proposal seeks to address the long-standing practice of requiring students to render valuable services without compensation while bearing the costs of transportation, meals, and other internship-related expenses.

“Many college students are expected to report to work, follow office schedules, and perform essential tasks that contribute to the operations of their host institutions. It is only fair that they receive reasonable compensation for their time and effort,” she said.

The lady lawmaker noted that internships are intended to provide practical training and industry exposure, but many students end up facing financial hardship simply to complete a graduation requirement.

“Hindi dapat maging dagdag na pasanin ang internship sa mga estudyante at kanilang mga pamilya. For many young Filipinos, especially those from low-income households, unpaid internships can become a barrier to finishing their education,” she said.

(Internships should not become an added burden for students and their families. For many young Filipinos, especially those from low-income households, unpaid internships can turn into a barrier to completing their education.)

Mercado-Revilla explained that while existing laws provide support mechanisms for certain training programs, there is currently no comprehensive national law guaranteeing allowances and protections for most higher education interns.

The proposed measure aims to establish uniform standards for internship programs in both public and private institutions to ensure that students receive meaningful training in a safe and supportive environment.

Aside from the mandatory allowance, the bill requires host institutions to enter into formal internship agreements that clearly define learning objectives, duration of engagement, work expectations, supervision arrangements, and any benefits to be provided to interns.

The bill also mandates host institutions to provide adequate safety and liability coverage for interns and establish accessible grievance mechanisms to address complaints involving harassment, mistreatment, unsafe working conditions, or other violations.

To encourage compliance, Mercado-Revilla said the measure provides incentives for participating institutions, including possible tax deductions on internship stipends, access to government technical assistance programs, recognition awards, and inclusion in a national directory of accredited internship providers.

According to the Cavite solon, the proposal seeks to strike a balance between protecting students and supporting employers that are willing to invest in developing future professionals.

“Internships should be about learning, mentorship, and career preparation—not free labor. Students who contribute productive work deserve fair treatment, proper supervision, and reasonable compensation,” she said.

“By ensuring fair compensation and stronger protections, we can help make internships more accessible, more meaningful, and more beneficial for both students and employers,” Mercado-Revilla added.