For many students, internships mean juggling multiple deadlines, enduring sleepless nights, and suffering from unpaid hours of work—but this new bill hopes to change that.
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Akbayan Partylist Representative Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno has filed a new bill that provides a “comprehensive approach in addressing the needs and challenges of interns.”
INTERNS ARE NOT FREE LABOR! Like and share to support our Interns’ Rights and Welfare Bill (HB 5081)!
Sa panukalang ito, ang mga university at college students na required mag-internship ay may karapatan sa just compensation, tamang working hours, leaves, proteksyon vs… pic.twitter.com/rUutK7xr9X
— Chel Diokno (@ChelDiokno) October 4, 2025
“Hindi dapat inaabuso ang mga interns… Sa panukalang ito, para sa mga college at university students na may internship, dapat may kontrata [at] malinaw na internship plan para siguradong kapakanan ng mga estudyante ang inuuna (Interns should not be exploited. Under this proposed bill, college and university students undergoing internships must have a contract and a clear internship plan to ensure that their welfare is prioritized),” Chel stated in a video posted across social media platforms.
Under House Bill 5081, the proposed law in Congress aims to provide better safeguards and fair compensation for college and university students undergoing internships. It mandates a 75 percent stipend or allowance based on the applicable minimum wage for work or services rendered.
The bill covers interns working in government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local government units (LGUs), with pay prorated according to actual hours worked. Similarly, interns in the private sector will receive a non-taxable allowance equivalent to 75% of the minimum wage, also computed based on the actual hours worked within an eight-hour workday.
Interns’ working hours will follow regular office schedules and rest days. In case they end up working on weekends, holidays, or beyond regular hours, they will be entitled to overtime pay, rest days, or holiday pay—just like regular employees.
Beyond just compensation, the bill also ensures humane working conditions for student interns. This includes reasonable work hours, access to medical, dental, and mental health services, accident insurance, and entitlement to personal and medical leaves. Moreover, interns will have access to basic workplace facilities and protection from abuse, discrimination, exploitation, and sexual harassment.
If enacted into law, the measure will require universities and employers to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) outlining each party’s roles and responsibilities, along with a detailed internship plan specifying the internship’s duration and schedule.
Internships should not exceed 300 hours or six months, and students will receive proper compensation throughout the program.
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