Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
House Bill No. 953 9
Introduced by: Hon. Ma. Victoria Co - Pilaf
EXPLENATORY NOTE
Humanities  and  Social  Sciences  play  a  crucial  role  in fostering  critical  thinking,
cultural  understanding,  and social  cohesion.  However,  despite their  significance,
students  opting  for  these  courses  often face  financial  constraints  that  limit  their
access to quality education. This proposed scholarship seeks to bridge this gap by
providing financial support to deserving students, enabling them to pursue their
academic aspirations without the burden of exorbitant tuition fees.
The scholarship program outlined in this bill is designed to be inclusive and merit~
based, ensuring that talented individuals from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds
have  equal  opportunities  to  excel  in  their  chosen fields.  By  alleviating  financial
pressures, the scholarship aims to attract and retain bright minds in Humarrities and
Social Science disciplines, thereby contributing to a more informed, empathetic, and
culturally aware society.
Moreover, investing in the education of students in these fields is an investment in
the future of our nation. Graduates with a strong foundation in Humanities and
Social  Sciences  contribute  significantly  to  various  sectors,  including  education,
public  policy,  media,  and  community  development.  The  proposed  bill  reflects  a
commitment to nurturing a well-rounded citizenry capable of addressing complex
societal challenges with empathy, critical thinking, and cultural sensitivity.
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The  study  of  humanities  in  the  Philippines  is  instrumental  in  preserving  and
promoting the rich cultural heritage of the nation. Courses in literature, history, and
the   arts   help   students   appreciate   the   country's   diverse   cultural   traditions,
indigenous knowledge, and historical narratives.
Social sciences, including disciplines like sociology and political science, play a vital
role  in  addressing  contemporary  challenges  in  the  Philippines.  Scholars  and
researchers in these fields contribute to the understanding of social issues, policy
development, and community engagement.
In conclusion, this proposed bill for a scholarship program dedicated to Humanities
and Social Science courses is a strategic investment in the intellectual and cultural
capital of our nation. It aligns with our commitment to fostering a society that values
diverse perspectives and encourages the pursuit of knowledge in disciplines that
shape our understanding of the human experience. I urge your esteemed committee
to consider and support this bill, recognizing its potential to empower students,
strengthen our educational system, and contribute to the overall well-being of our
society.
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earne
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HouseBi||No.9539
Introduced by: Hon. Ma. Victoria Co - Pilar
AN ACT INSTITUTING A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR DISCIPLINES
UNDER THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES AND FOR OTHER
PURTOSES
Be it enacted lay the Senate and House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
1      SECTION 1. S*orf ri.#e. - This Act shall be known as the  "Jsfo/ar #g Hwil.¢Hi.d¢de§ ¢f
2      SoksayActof 2023".
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4      SECTION 2. Dec/¢r¢£foH a/Po/..cj?. -   The significance of humanities and social sciences
5      and its role in achieving national progress are often undermined as compared to other fields
6      of knowledge. This creates uneven opportunities and hinders students from pursuing a career
7       in this  field.  Thus, the  state ought to also  give priority to  humanities  and social  science's
8      development and practice as a means of building the state's capacity to better manage and
9      respond to the current socio-political challenges that are faced by the nation.
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11      Moreover, the state recognizes the vital role of youth in nation-building, hence the promotion
12      of  quality   education   that   not   only   inculcates   nationalism   but   also   encourages   their
13      involvement in public and civic affairs - the very core of humanities and social  science
14      studies, and ensuring equal access to it. Therefore, the state shall provide for scholarships,
15       grants-in-aid,   or  other   forms   of  incentives   to   economically-challenged   and   deserving
16      humanities and social science students to enable them to pursue their education and build a
17       career as applied social science practitioners that shall be in direct service to the country and
18       thepeople.
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SECTION 3. Dcf#!./I.o# a/ Tcrus. - The following terms below, as used herein shall mean:
(a) Ed#cc7/!.o#¢/ #eeds - shall refer to student's financial necessities in fulfilling school-
related requisites;
(b) Fzt#d - shall refer to a sum of money made available for scholarship purposes;
(c)  Gra#ts-z.#-4z.d -  shall  refer  to  a modality  of financial  assistance  for  deserving  and
underprivileged students ;
(d) f7cfma#7tz.es crnd Socr.a/ Scz.e7zce£ - shall refer to the field which focuses on programs
and   subjects   such   as   Politics,   Economics,   History,   Psychology,   Philosophy,
Literature, and Arts;
(e)  P/~z.vczfe  U#z.versztz.es - shall refer to Higher Education Institutions (HEls) that are not
primarily funded or operated by the government but are still subject to government
regulation;
(f)  Pro /cr#fo -  shall refer to partial payment made only to a certain extent of a larger
obligation for a set period of time;
(g) Scfoo/ars  -  shall  refer  to  students  who  are  eligible  to  receive  financial  grants  in
meeting their educational needs ;
(h) Scfoo/czrsfazp Prog7.¢m  -  shall refer to the financial aid given to scholars  in order to
provide assistance for their educational needs;
(i)  Sfcr/e  U#z.versztz.cs  a#d  Co//cges  /SUCsJ  -  shall  refer  to  Public  Higher  Education
Institutions  (HEls)  that  are  legally  required  to  exist,  supported  financially  by  the
government, and administered by an independent board of regents;
0)  Student  Financial  Assistance  Programs   (StuFAPs)  -  shall  refer  to  a.  aystem  o£
scholarship, grants-in-aid, student loan and other financial assistance and incentives
which are or shall be made available to eligible students;
(k)  rer/z.any Edwc¢fz.o# - shall refer to a level of education after Senior High School, a
post-secondary   education   which   includes   colleges,   universities,   and   vocational
training courses and institutions;
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(I)  Unified  Student  Financial  Assistance  System fior  Tertiary  Education  (UniFAST)  -
shall  refer  to  the  state-run  and  administered  system  of  Higher  Education  and
technical-vocational Scholarships, Grants-in-Aid, Student Loans, and other modalities
of StuFAPs as outlined in R.A 10687.
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6      SEICTIOIN 4. Humanities and social sciences scholarship Fund. ~Thele.is hereky creaked
7      a Humanities and Social Sciences Scholarship Fund, hereinafter known as the Fund, to be
8      administered by the commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Budget and
9      Management (DBM), and by the respective members of the uniFAST Board mentioned in
10       Section 14, Article Iv of the R.A.10687.
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12      SECTION 5. Scho/¢rs4ip coticmg& -The grant of any scholarship award from the Fund
13       shall  be  applied  only  in  the  field  of Political  Science,  International  Studies,  Journalism,
14      Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology, Anthropology, and such other areas in the undergraduate
15      or postgraduate humanities and social sciences courses as may be provided for in the rules
16      and regulations to be promulgated by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the
17      Department of Education (DepEd),  and other members of the UniFAST Board,  provided,
18      however, that the scholarship grant for the postgraduate level shall not be limited to those
19      scholars or recipients who are graduates of the undergraduate scholarship program.
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21      SECTION  6. As§is/umce /a  Gra#/ccs.  - The  fund for this program  shall  cover expenses
22      ranging  from tuition  and other  school  fees,  textbooks  and  equipment,  board  and  lodging,
23       clothing, traveling expenses, research requirements, and miscellaneous allowances. Grantees
24      shall be entitled to scholarships, Grants-in-Aid, and government programs in partnership with
25      other stakeholders, among others, and which are nationally funded and/or implemented by
26      national and local government agencies, branches, and instrunentalities.
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28       SHCTION 7. E/i.gr.bi./i.fy. -In order to avail for the scholarship, the applicant(s) must possess
29      the following qualifications:
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(a) a natural born Filipino citizen;
(b) must be coming from an indigent family with an average annual gross income not
more than P200,000.00;
(c)  be  currently  eurolled  in any  of the  State Universities  and Colleges  (SUCs),  or  in
private universities and other educational institutions duly recognized and accredited
by  Commission on Higher Education  (CHED),  under any  of the  identified priority
Humanities and Social Science related courses;
(d) must be in good health and excellent moral character;
(e) must have the minimum general weighted average and pass the aptitude test both to
be determined by the UniFAST Board.
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1      SECTION 8. Sc~J.ce ObJJ.gr/I.o#. -Upon completion of a baccalaureate and postgraduate
2      degree, a scholar shall render his service to the country in his field of specialization on a full-
3      time  basis  for a minimum period equivalent to the  length  of time  a  scholar  enjoyed the
4      scholarship.   This may be fulfilled through occupying a government or educational post, or
5      other service related to their course or training in their province or municipality, serving as a
6      specialist or researcher, publishing academic journals, and contributing to the development of
7       Humanities  and  Social  Science  in the  country.  For this purpose,  there  shall  be  a  contract
8      signed   between   the   Government   and   the   scholar   incorporating   the   details   of   the
9       aforementioned service obligation.
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11       SHCTI0N  9.    JmqpJcmc#JI.#g  Bodry.  -  The  Commission  on  Higher  Education  (CHED)
12      together with the members of the uniFAST Board shall directly implement the scholarship
13      progran.
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15      SHCTI0N   10.   .4pproprfofrous.   -   The   amount   necessary   to   carry   out   the   initial
16      implementation of this Act, shall be charged against the current Fiscal Year Appropriations
17      given to the stuFAPs as provided by the uniFAST. The amount necessary for its continued
18      implementation shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.
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20      SECTION  11.  Iixplementing  Rules  and  Regulations.  -  The  Commission  on  Higher
21      Education (CHED) and unified student Financial Assistance system for Tertiary Education
22       (UniFAST)  in  close  coordination  with  State  Universities  and  Colleges  (SUCs),  private
23       universities, and all other concerned bodies shall promulgate within sixty (60) days upon its
24      approval, the rules and regulation for the implementation of the Act.
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26      SECTION  12.  jRepe¢Jl.#g  CJ¢usc.  -  All  laws,  decrees,  orders,  rules  and  regulations,  or
27      portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modifled accordingly.
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29      SECTION  13. Scp¢robi./try Crflusc. - If any provision of this Act or part thereof is held
30      invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected
31       shall remain valid and subsisting.
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33       SECTION 14. Ej7rectr.tJJ.fy cJawsc. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date
34      of  its  publication  in  the  Official  Gazette  or  in  at  least  two  (2)  newspapers  of  general
35       circulation in the philippines.
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3 7                   Approved,
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