Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. __ 
Introduced by Representatives JOCELYN P. TULFO, RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO, and 
EDVIC G. YAP 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR FREE TERTIARY AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND 
OTHER RELATED COURSES TO THE DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF QUALIFIED 
INDIGENT FARMERS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The agricultural sector serves as the backbone of the Philippine economy, yet it 
grapples 
with persistent challenges-an aging farmer population, stagnating 
productivity, and limited adoption of modern technologies. A key obstacle to revitalizing 
this critical sector is the financial inability of many indigent farmers to send their children 
to college, depriving the next generation of opportunities to acquire advanced 
knowledge in agriculture and related fields. 
This bill, to be known as the "Free Agricultural Education for Farmers' 
Dependents Act," seeks to bridge this gap by granting free access to tertiary 
agricultural education and allied disciplines for the dependent children of qualified 
indigent farmers. By eliminating the financial barriers to higher education, this Act aims 
to: 
1. Empower the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders - Equip young
Filipinos from farming communities with cutting-edge knowledge, technical skills,
and innovative practices to drive the modernization of Philippine agriculture.
2. Boost Agricultural Productivity - Promote the adoption of sustainable,
science-based, and efficient farming methods to increase yields, improve
incomes, and enhance the competitiveness of local farmers.
3. Strengthen National Food Security - Cultivate a highly skilled agricultural
workforce capable of ensuring sustainable food production and long-term
self-sufficiency for the nation.
4. Promote Rural Development -
Stimulate economic growth in farming
communities by creating higher-value opportunities and improving the quality of
life for agricultural families.
July 31, 2025
3:24 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.____ 
Introduced by Representatives JOCELYN P. TULFO, RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO, and 
EDVIC G. YAP 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR FREE TERTIARY AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND
OTHER RELATED COURSES TO THE DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF QUALIFIED
INDIGENT FARMERS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled
SECTION 1. Short Title. 
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This Act shall be known as the "Free Agri-Education for Farmers' Dependents Act." 
2 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy.  
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It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote and protect the right of all 
4 
citizens to quality education at all levels and to take appropriate steps to make such 
5 
education accessible to all. Recognizing the pivotal role of agriculture in national 
6 
development and food security, and the socio-economic challenges faced by 
7 
indigent farmers, the State shall prioritize the empowerment of the agricultural 
8 
sector through human capital development. Towards this end, the State shall 
9 
provide free tertiary agricultural education and other related courses to the 
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dependent children of qualified indigent farmers, thereby ensuring a continuous 
11 
supply of skilled and knowledgeable professionals and practitioners in agriculture, 
12 
promoting sustainable farming practices, and enhancing the overall productivity and 
13 
competitiveness of the Philippine agricultural sector. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms.  
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For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
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a. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) refers to the government
17 
agency responsible for regulating and supervising higher education
18 
institutions in the Philippines.
19 
b. Department of Agriculture (DA) refers to the primary government agency
20 
responsible for the promotion of agricultural development in the Philippines.
21 
c. Dependent Child refers to a legitimate, illegitimate, legally adopted, or
22 
stepchild of a qualified indigent farmer, who is twenty-one (21) years of age
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or below, unmarried, and not gainfully employed, or if over twenty-one (21) 
1 
years of age, is suffering from a disability that renders them incapable of self-
2 
support.  
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d. Free Tertiary Agricultural Education refers to the waiver of tuition fees, 
4 
miscellaneous fees, and other mandatory fees, as may be determined by 
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CHED, in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) offering agricultural 
6 
education and other related courses.  
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e. Indigent Farmer refers to a natural person engaged in farming, whether 
8 
personally or through a farm worker, whose family income falls below the 
9 
poverty threshold as determined by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), 
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and who is registered with the Department of Agriculture's Registry System 
11 
for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) or any equivalent official registry.  
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f. Qualified refers to a dependent child who meets the eligibility criteria set 
13 
forth in this Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.  
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g. Related Courses refer to academic programs closely related to agriculture, 
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such as, but not limited to, agricultural engineering, food technology, 
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veterinary medicine, forestry, fisheries, environmental science with 
17 
agricultural focus, and agribusiness management, as may be determined by 
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CHED in consultation with DA.  
19 
h. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) refer to public higher education 
20 
institutions established by law and are fully supported by the national 
21 
government. 
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SECTION 4. Coverage.   
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This Act shall cover all qualified dependent children of indigent farmers who are 
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enrolled or shall enroll in tertiary agricultural education and other related courses in 
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any State University and College (SUC) in the Philippines. 
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SECTION 5. Entitlements.  
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A qualified dependent child of an indigent farmer shall be entitled to: 
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a. Free Tuition and Other Fees. - Exemption from the payment of tuition fees, 
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laboratory fees, library fees, athletic fees, computer fees, cultural fees, and 
30 
all other miscellaneous and mandatory fees, as may be determined by 
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CHED, throughout the duration of their tertiary agricultural education or 
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related course in an SUC.  
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b. Stipend and Allowances. - The Implementing Rules and Regulations may 
34 
provide for a monthly stipend, book allowance, and other necessary 
35 
allowances for qualified beneficiaries, subject to the availability of funds and 
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specific criteria to be set by the implementing agencies. 
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SECTION 6. Qualifications of Beneficiaries.  
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To qualify for the benefits under this Act, a dependent child must: 
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1. Be a dependent child of an indigent farmer as defined in Section 3 of this 
40 
Act.  
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2. Be a Filipino citizen.  
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3. Have passed the entrance examination or admission requirements of the 
43 
SUC where they intend to enroll or are currently enrolled.  
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4. Maintain the academic standards and good moral character as required by 
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the SUC and the provisions of this Act.  
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5. Not be a recipient of any other scholarship grant or financial assistance from 
3 
any government agency or private institution that covers the same 
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entitlements provided under this Act, unless the other grant is insufficient to 
5 
cover all expenses and only the uncovered portion is claimed under this Act. 
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SECTION 7. Responsibilities of Beneficiaries.  
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Beneficiaries of this Act shall: 
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1. Maintain the academic performance required by the SUC for their course. 
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Failure to meet the academic requirements may lead to the forfeiture of the 
10 
scholarship, subject to the policies of the SUC and the Implementing Rules 
11 
and Regulations.  
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2. Complete their chosen course within the prescribed period.  
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3. Upon graduation, render service to the agricultural sector in the Philippines 
14 
for a period equivalent to the number of years they enjoyed the scholarship, 
15 
in a manner and capacity to be determined by the DA in consultation with 
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CHED. This may include working in government agricultural agencies, 
17 
engaging in farming, or contributing to agricultural research or extension 
18 
services. The Implementing Rules and Regulations shall provide the specific 
19 
guidelines for this service requirement. 
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SECTION 8. Implementing Agencies.  
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The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Agriculture 
22 
(DA) shall be the primary implementing agencies of this Act. They shall: 
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a. Formulate and issue the necessary Implementing Rules and Regulations 
24 
(IRR) within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.  
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b. Develop a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system to ensure the 
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effective implementation of this Act.  
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c. Coordinate with State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to ensure the 
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smooth admission, enrollment, and support of qualified beneficiaries.  
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d. Establish a robust database of qualified indigent farmers and their dependent 
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children, in coordination with relevant government agencies and local 
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government units. 
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SECTION 9. Funding.  
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The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in 
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the annual General Appropriations Act. The CHED and DA shall jointly prepare the 
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necessary budget proposals for this purpose. 
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SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).  
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Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the CHED, in consultation 
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with the DA, the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), 
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and other relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
40 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
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SECTION 11. Separability Clause.  
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If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of 
1 
the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 12. Repealing Clause.  
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All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with 
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the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 13. Effectivity. 
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This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette 
7 
or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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