'Prepaid Load Forever' bill to aid online students, entrepreneurs: Gatchalian

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Friday that prepaid load and mobile data in the Philippines should not have expiration dates, particularly now that students and entrepreneurs have a growing need for these amid the pandemic.

"Dapat wala na itong expiry date dahil itong load na ito ay binili mo na. In fact, in-advance payment mo na ito. Ganoon din sa data load lalo na ngayon sa panahon na ito, marami sa ating mga kababayan ang nag-oonline learning, ginagamit ang computer sa pag-aaral at madalas silang bumili ng load kaya timely itong proposal natin," Gatchalian stated in a Laging Handa briefing.

He added that Filipinos have made it a habit to use the internet in terms of education and business.

The vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs mentioned that there are around 110 million mobile phone users in the country, with the majority buying prepaid loads and data.

"Marami sa atin dala-dalawa ang cellphone, dala-dalawa ang numero... Almost 80% ng ating subsribers ay prepaid buyers," Gatchalian mentioned.

Gatchalian authored Senate Bill No. 365, which prohibits public telecommunications entities and ICT providers from putting an expiration date for prepaid load credits, regardless of the amount involved, unless fully consumed.

In the Philippines, prepaid load credits worth P300 have a one-year validity while those with higher value have a longer expiration period.

Words by Lorille Antoinette Mata

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