Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL No.  8423
1
Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu
HXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section  1  of the  1987 Constitution states that, "[t]he  State shall protect
and  promote  the  right  of all  the  citizens  to  quality  education  at  all  levels  and  shall  take
appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all." In addition, Section 2(3) of the
same  provision  highlights  the  role  of the  State  to  "[e]stablish  and  maintain  a  system  of
scholarship  grants,  student  loan  programs,  subsidies,  and  other  incentives  which  shall  be
available   to   deserving   students   in   both  public   and  private   schools,   especially   to  the
underprivileged."                                  ; ,+,
The Philippines is home to rich lands and natural resources making it an agricultural
country. Despite the agricultural .sector being the backbone of food security, farmers remain
among the poorest and most disadvantaged groups.I The average Filipino farmer earns less
than what can support a family, likewise, sustain a livelihood.
This  bill  seeks  to  give  farmers  and  fisherfolks  assistance  by  providing  scholarship
grants to their children and dependents. Education is a right which should be made available to
people from all social classes. At the same time, it empowers vulnerable groups by being a tool
in alleviating poverty, e,1iminating discrimination, and lifting generations of inequality.
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is sought.
I https : //www.rappler. com/voices/ispeak/opinion-why-fi I ipino-farmers-suffer/


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSEB|LLNo.8423
Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR SCHOLARSHIP TO CHILDRHN AND DEPENDENTS 0F
FARMERS AND FISHHRFOLKS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. S#orf ri.#e. - This Act shall be known as the "Educational Scholarship
for Children and Dependents of Farmers and Fisherfolks Act."
EEC. 2. Full scholarship fior Children and Dependents Of Farmers. - C;hiiidren and
dependents of farmers listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA),
shall  be  entitled to  full  scholarship  from basic  education until  their completion  of tertiary
education subject to rules and regulations as mandated by this Act.
The  benefits  shall  include  all  expenses  for  education,  whether  in public  or private
school, such as but not limited to tuition fees, miscellaneous and other fees, board and lodging,
transportation expenses, allowances for books, clothing and food and other similar expenses.
SEIC. 3. Special Fund f tor Educational Benef itts. -Ln order to carry out the prov±strorLs
of this Act, there is hereby established a Special Fund, to be known as the "Educational Benefits
for Farmers and Fisherfolks Fund," in the amount of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00).
Such fund shall be perpetually maintained and used exclusively for the benefit of children and
dependents of farmers; P7'ovz.ded, that not more than 5% of this Fund shall be used for the
administration of the Special Fund.
SIIC. 4. Adm..in.str¢tr.o# a/ffec Fw#d. -  The Unified Student Financial Assistance for
Tertiary  Education  (UniFAST)  Governing  Board,  in  consultation  with  the  Department  of
Agriculture  and three  (3)  representatives  from the  farmers  and  fisherfolks  selected  from  a
verified procedure of selection as agreed upon by the farmers and fisherfolks, shall have the
primary responsibility of managing and supervising the Fund. It shall also be responsible in


formulating  the  mechanics,  scope  and  limitations,  and  requirements  for  the  scholarship
Prooram.
The UniFAST Secretariat shall serve as the Secretariat providing administrative support
to the Board and shall perform functions as authorized by the UniFAST Board.
SE:C. 5. Implementing Rules  and Regulations. - Within sixty  (60)  days from the
effectivity of this Act, the UniFAST Board in consultation with the Department of Agriculture
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this
Act.
SEC.  6.  Sep¢robi./rty  C7¢wse.  -  If any  provision  or part  hereof,  is  held  invalid  or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.
SEC. 7. J[epe¢/I.#g C/¢wse. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.
SEC.  8.  E/Tecft.tJrty  CJ¢use.  -This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,