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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR MAGSAYSAY, T I L  
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Education. 
In the tapestry of the Philippine society, education 
occupies an earnest wealth. Inculcated in our minds is the belief that 
education, a good education, is one sure passport to success in life. And 
sure enough, that mentality instilled on the value of education propelled 
the country to become Asia's most literate nation. 
The empowerment of the people through education is therefore a 
mission and which is responded to by this bill by institutionalizing and 
strengthening an existing program for free education to deserving 
employees in the national and local government. This is consistent with 
the declared axiom in the 1987 Philippine Constitution when it states, 
"[tlhe Civil Service Commission, as the central personnel agency of the 
Government, shall establish a career service and adopt measures to 
promote morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness, 
and courtesy in the civil service. 
It shall strengthen the merit and 
rewards system, integrate all human resources development programs 
for all levels and ranks, and institutionalize a management climate 
conducive to public accountability x x x" (Art. E-B, Sec. 3). 
The Government is the largest employer in this country. There was 
a time when people noted that it has become one huge haven for misfits, 
a situs where square pegs converged in a round hole and an area for the 
unheralded bureaucrats. And why not, with monetary benefits, minimal 
opportunities aiid similar advancement failing in dismal comparison with 
their private sector counterpart, brilliant human resource and talented 
fresh graduates distanced themselves from employment in the 
government, 
Recent events, however, provide a good picture of national 
leadership recognition of government workforce. And in an attempt to 
professionalize the sector further, this bill is introduced. 
Scholarship 
grants in the skill and training level, as well in courses leading to an 
academic title and graduate school program are guaranteed to deserving 
government employees. To the government, an advantage is likewise 
noted: core areas of studies which may be the demand of the future are 
the premier concentration of this program. 
Thence, an outstanding 
government bureaucracy is assured. 
Premises cited, an immediate cognizance of this legislation is 
sought. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR MAGSAYSAY, JR. 
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AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP GRANT TO 
DESERVING NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, 
PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THIS PURPOSE AND 
FOR 
OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled 
SECTION 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the “Tulong Aral 
sa Kinabukasan Act of 2004”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is declared a policy of the 
State to 
promote 
morale, 
efficiency, integrity, 
responsiveness, 
progressiveness and courtesy in the civil service; to institutionalize a 
merit and reward system in the form of free education or scholarship 
grant to deserving civil servants; to integrate scholarship programs 
towards human resources development in the government; and to 
establish a management climate where potentials are tapped and utilized 
to the fullest and the best virtues harnessed and instilled in the minds 
of every proud government personnel. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms - As used in this Act, the following 
terms shall have the following signification: 
a. “Tulong Aral sa Kinabukasan” shall refer to the government- 
sponsored program under this Act providing free education or 
scholarship grants to deserving employees of the national and 
local governments. 
b. “Short-term training grants” 
shall refer to the government 
assistance under this Act for scholarship or training programs 
of not more than six (6) month duration in upgrading of skills 
of government employees in clerical, trade, crafts, custodial and 
related services. 
c. ”Baccalaureate degree grants” 
shaIl refer to government 
assistance under this Act for scholarship programs consisting 
in four-or five-year continuous studies leading to an academic 
title or course diploma. 
d. “Graduate school grants” shall refer to government assistance 
under this Act for scholarship programs in specialized field of 
study in post graduate level where a baccalaureate degree and 
training experience is a prerequisite. 
SEC. 4. The Scholarship Program - There is hereby adopted the 
“Tulong Aral sa Kinabukasan” program, a nationwide scholarship 


program offering free education or scholarship grant to all government 
employees in the national and local government levels who want to 
pursue short-term training, baccalaureate degree courses, and/or 
graduate school training and education programs in accordance with the 
requirements under this Act. 
For this purpose, the existing Local Scholarship Program (LSP) and 
the Local Scholarship Program for Skilled Workers in Government (LSP- 
SWG) being undertaken and handled by the Civil Service Cornmission 
shall be incorporated into the “Tulong Aral sa Kinabukasan” program 
under this Act. 
SEC. 5. Scholarship Grant Thrusts - 
The Civil Service 
Commission (CSC), in coordination with the Department of Education, 
Culture and Sports and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 
shall formulate the core areas of studies for the training, education or 
scholarship grants covered under this Act, including, but not limited to 
the sciences, fiscal management and public finance, economics, the 
technical, technological, entrepreneurial fields and similar other areas 
which are geared towards technology development and modern 
governance and management approaches. 
SEC. 6. Selection Procedure - Employees in the national and 
local governments who possess the following qualifications shall be 
eligible under the scholarship program: 
a. A permanent or temporary appointment at the time of filing; 
b. An aggregate of at two (2) years work experience in government; 
c. A performance rating of at least ‘Satisfactory’ for the last two (2) 
d. Not more than forty-five (45) years old as of last birthday; 
e. Good health; and 
f. Absence of pending administrative case: 
Provided, That in the case of the graduate school grants, the 
consecutive rating periods; 
following additional requirements shall also be imposed: 
a. 
A bachelor’s degree from a college or university of good 
b. 
c. 
standing; 
Absence of a masteral degree; and 
Non-availment of any foreign/local scholarship grant from the 
government in the past two (2) years prior to the school year 
the employee will study: 
Provided, further, That a written or oral examination may be 
administered by the Civil Service Commission or through a Screening 
and Selection Committee to be chaired by the Chairman of the Civil 
Service Commission, with the Secretaries of the Department of 
Education, Culture and Sports, the Department of Science and 
Technology, the Department of Interior and Local Government and the 
Chairman of 
the Commission on Higher Education, 
or their 
representatives, with the rank of at least an Assistant Secretary, as 
members. 


SEC. 7, 
Private Sector Initiative 
- 
Private sectors are 
encouraged to align their existing free education or scholarship programs 
with the program envisioned under this Act. 
Contributions to the fund supporting the scholarship program 
under this Act shall be deductible from the annual taxable income to the 
extent of twenty percent (20%) thereof in the case of individual taxpayers 
and one hundred twenty percent (120%) thereof in the case of 
corporations, firms or entities, or such contributions may be considered 
as an input value-added tax, at the election of the contributor. 
SEC. 8. Rules and Regulations - The CSC, in coordination with 
the DECS and CHED, shall formulate the necessary rules and 
regulations for the implementation of this Act and the determination of 
courses covered under the program, as well as the application procedure, 
the nomination process, if any, responsibilities of the grantee; additional 
benefits; and other matters. 
SEC. 9. 
Funding Source - 
The sources of funds for the 
implementation of this Act shall be, as follows: 
a. For its first year of implementation, the appropriations set aside 
for the Local Scholarship Program and Local Scholarship 
Program for Skill Workers in all offices of the Government. 
b. For the succeeding years of implementation, such amounts as 
are needed shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act and complemented by the savings generated 
from the different bureaus, offices and agencies and by 
contributions extended by private corporation, companies and 
entities. 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause - If, for any reason, any provision 
of this Act is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in 
full force and effect. 
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 12. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,