Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BII,Lfu`O.-  ~
Introduced by: REP. RUTH MARIANO-HERNANDEZ
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A SOCIAL WORK SCHOLAREHIP PROGRAM FOR DESERVING
STUDENTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY N OTE
This bill aims to establish a Social Work scholarship and return service (SWSP) program
for  deserving  students  under  the  auspices  of  the  Commission  on  Higher  Education
(CHED)  and  the  Department  of Social  Welfare  and  Development  (DSWD).  The  SWSP
program shall comprehensively address the dearth of Social Workers across the country.
The  DSWD  is  the  primary  government agency  mandated  to  develop,  implement  and
coordinate social protection and poverty-reduction solutions for and with the poor, the
vulnerable, and the disadvantaged. It envisions all  Filipinos are freed from hunger and
poverty, having equal access to opportunities that is enabled by a fair, just, and peaceful
society. Social workers enable the DSWD and other social welfare entities to pursue this
these lofty mandates.
In the DSWD inventory of its employees, there are 6,796 registered Social Workers as of
July  31,  2022  across  the  country.    On  the  other  hand,  according  to  the  Civil  Service
Commission  (CSC)   there  are  9,541  social  welfare  positions  across  the  government
bureaucracy. Of this number, there are 2,010 positions that have yet to be filled as of June
30, 2022.  These posts include those for licensed Social Workers: Social Welfare Officer,
Social Worker, Social Welfare and Development Officer, Provincial/City/Municipal Social
Welfare Officer; and for non-licensed Social Workers: Social Welfare Assistant, and Social
Welfare  Aide,  in  National  Government  Agencies  (NGAs)  and  local  government  units
(LGUs)I
The above data  provides a snapshot of the shortage in the number of Social Workers
urgently   needed   to   provide   dedicated   service   to   the   disadvantaged   sectors   and
communities across the country.


This measure conceives SWSP program as a long-term effort to ensure the stability of the
DSWD and all current and future social welfare and development entities in the country.
It  likewise  encourages  deserving  and  qualified  students  to  pursue  Social  Work  and
Development (SWD) and eventually enter into public service. The SWSP program opens
up opportunities for students to engage in a fulfilling and purposeful profession, which
would  enable  them  to  confront  social  and  other  socio-economic  issues  and  thereby
impact the lives of people.
2


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO.
§ Q 1 r)
Introduced by: REP. RUTH MARIANO-HERNANDEZ
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A SOCIAL WORK SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR DESERVING
STUDENTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Social Work Scholarship Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
and  develop  the  skills  and  capabilities  of public  social  workers  to  make  them  more
responsive  and  better  equipped  in  delivering  social  welfare  and  development  (SWD)
programs   and   services.  The   State   shall   likewise   encourage   students  with   proper
qualifications  and  excellent  abilities  to  pursue  social  work  education  and  eventually
become social workers and be employed in the government service.
Towards this end, the State shall establish a social work scholarship program that will
help  deserving  students  pursue  social  work  education  and  training,  with  the  aim  of
rendering qualified and licensed professional social work services, at the DSWD Central
Office,  Field  Offices,  government  hospitals,  government  residential  care  facilities,  the
other parts of the national government bureaucracy, to government social work offices
or institutions in their respective hometowns, in any underserved municipality or city in
any  province,  as  part of their  integration  into  the  government social  welfare  service
System.
This  shall  ensure  the  availability  of qualified  Social  Workers  in  each  LGU,  who  shall
provide   quality   social   welfare   and   development   services   from   the   agencies   and
institutions that form part of the national government bureaucracy, all the way to every
municipality    in    the    country,    especially    in    underserved,    remote,    economically
underdeveloped,     distressed,     conflict-afflicted     and     geographically    isolated     and
disadvantaged areas.
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SEC.  3.  Establishment of the  Social  Work Scholarship  Program.  -  There  shall  be
established a Social Work Scholarship Program (SWSP) Program for deserving students
in   state   universities   and   colleges   (SUCs)   or   in   partner   private   higher   education
institutions (PHEls)  in regions where there are no SUCs offering a Social Work course:
Provl.decJ, That the Commission on  Higher Education (CHED)  may designate  more than
one  (1)  partner  higher  education  institutions  (HEls)  in  the  region,  including  regions
where there are existing SUCs offering the Social Work programs as deemed necessary,
upon consultation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In all cases, qualified applicants from municipalities shall be prioritized in the allocation
of scholarship slots to ensure the assignment of at least one (1) Social Worker for every
barangay in the country.
SEC. 4.  Coverage.  -  The  SWSP  established  under this Act shall  be  made  to  deserving
Filipino students who want to pursue a degree in Social Work.
a.    The student financial assistance for the SWSP shall include the following:
i.       Free tuition, miscellaneous, and other school fees;
ii,       Allowance for prescribed books, supplies and equipment;
iii.       Clothingoruniform allowance;
iv.       Allowance for dormitory or boardinghouse accommodation;
v.       Transportation allowance;
vi.       On the Job Training fees and expenses, including financial assistance;
vii.       Social worklicensure examination review fees;
viii.       Social worklicensure examination fees;
ix.        License fees;
x.       Annual medical insurance; and
xi.       Other education-related subsistence or living allowances.
b.    Qualified  students  under  the  SWSP  shall  also  be  eligible  to  participate  in  any
recognized Social Work Exchange Program.
SEC.  5.  Qualification  Requirements.  -  An  applicant for  the  SWSP  shall  possess  the
following qualifications:
(a) Must be a Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines; and
(b)   Must  have  passed  the  entrance  examination  and  complied  with  other  related
requirements for admission into a Social Work degree program in the SUC or PHEI where
the  scholar intends to  enroll,  as  well  as  the  other  requirements  of the  CHED  and  the
DSWD.
SEC. 6. Conditions for the Grant of Scholarship. - Qualified students accepted to the
SWSP shall be subject to the following conditionalities:
(a) Must sign an agreement stating the terms and conditions of the scholarship on a form
prescribed by the CHED and the DSWD pursuant to the provisions of this Act, which shall
contain, among others, a duly executed Affidavit of No Existing Scholarship Grant or With
Return Service Obligation to ensure the student's full participation in the SWSP;
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(b)  Must carry the full load of subjects prescribed per semester by the SUC or PHEI, and
shall not, under any circumstance, drop a course which will result in underloading;
(c) Must not incur a grade below eighty (80) percent  or its grade equivalent in all of the
degree  program's  major  subjects,  and  not  incur  a  failing  grade  in  all  of the  degree
program's minor subjects;
(c)  Must undertake the mandatory practical training hours and finish the entire social
work degree program within the prescribed time frame of the SUC or the PHEI where the
scholar is enrolled in, subject to the retention policies of the SUC or the PHEI: Provi.cJed,
That the deserving student accepted to the SWSP, before actual enrollment in the first
semester as a scholar, may be allowed for valid and justifiable reasons, as determined by
the  CHED,  to  defer  enrollment or  to  file  a  leave  of absence:  Provi`decJ, rtyrther,  That a
scholar  who  is  already  enrolled,  may  be  allowed,  for valid  and  justifiable  reasons,  as
determined by the CHED, to file a leave of absence;
(e)  Must take the  board  examination within  a  maximum  period  of one  (1)  year after
graduation; and
(0 Must render return of service as provided under Section 8 of this Act.
The  scholar  who  fails  to  pass  the  licensure  examination  within  one  (1)  year  after
graduation and completion of the mandatory practical training hours and other academic
requirements shall shoulder all the necessary expenses for the succeeding professional
licensure examinations.
SEC. 7. Disqualification.  - The scholarship grant shall terminate and the scholar shall
repay the full cost of scholarship and related benefits received, including all the expenses
incurred  during the  participation  in  the scholarship  program  in  case  of the  following
circumstances:
(a) If the scholar fails to comply, or violates the conditions for the grant of the scholarship
as provided under Section 6 of this Act;
(b)  If the scholar accepts another scholarship from other government or private agency
or entity while enjoying the benefits under this Act;
(c)  If the scholar fails to meet the academic requirements, as stated in Section 6 (c); or
fails to complete the course within the prescribed period without valid cause, as may be
determined by the SUC or PHEI, or CHED or DSWD through appropriate regulations, such
as, but not limited to, absence without notice, willful neglect or other causes within the
control of the scholar;
(d) If the scholar fails to obtain a passing grade in the Social Work Licensure Examination
within  five  (5)  years  from  the  time  the  scholar  has  graduated  and  completed  the
mandatory practical training hours; ProVI.bed, That, instead of repaying the full cost of the
scholarship  and  related   expenses,  the  scholar  whose  scholarship  status  has  been
terminated under Section 7 (b) or 7 (c) of this Act may opt to engage in work within the
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Social  Work  and  development  system,  such  as  engaging  in  research  work  for  the
government or teaching Social Work-related subjects in a public educational institution,
or being integrated into the Social Work and development system for a period prorated
to the number of years of mandatory return service provided under this Act; ProVI.c7ed,
/Lfrther,  That  the  alternative  return  service  shall  exclude  the  period  of  mandatory
practical training hours;
(e)  If  it  has  been  determined  that  the  scholar  has  submitted  falsified  or  fraudulent
documents and/or requirements, or has employed fraud, in order to qualify for the SWPS
program; and
(e)  If,  while  being  a  scholar,  the  scholar  commits  gross  misconduct in  a  manner that
would bring significant damage to the SUC or PHEI concerned or the general public.
SEC. 8. Mandatory Return Service and Integration of the Scholar into the Public
Social Welfare and Development System. - Upon passing the Social Work Licensure
Examination   administered   by  the   Professional   Regulation   Commission   (PRC)   and
conferment by the PRC of the license to practice the social work profession, the scholar
shall be integrated into the social welfare and development system, through the DSWD,
and shall receive the appropriate civil service rank, salary and related benefits.
The scholar shall serve in a government office, government hospital, or any accredited
government social welfare and development facility in the scholar's hometown or, in the
absence of a need thereat, in any municipality within the scholar's home province, or in
any  underserved  municipality  closest to  the  scholar's  hometown  determined  by  the
DSWD as a priority area, for at least one (1) year for every scholarship year availed of:
Provi.ded, That scholars from municipalities with no licensed social workers shall render
the return service work in the scholar's hometown: Provz.ded, rtyrther,  That the scholar
who  assumed  the  slot intended  for a resident of another municipality, no  resident of
which qualified to be a scholar under this Act, shall render the return service work in the
same municipality where the slot was originally intended:  Provl'cJed, flJlcr/ly,  That in all
cases, the scholar shall only be required to serve in such municipality if no threat to the
scholar's life is present thereat.
The scholar shall render the mandatory return service within six (6) years from the time
of  passing  the   Social  Work  Licensure   Examinations:  Provided,   however,     That  the
mandatory return service and integration into the public social welfare and development
system under this Act shall be separate and distinct from the mandatory practical training
required  prior to taking the license  examination  for social workers:  Provided, /zjrthcr,
That  the  number  of  years  served  by  the  scholar  in  the  public  social  welfare  and
development system as part of the return service requirements, if any, of the SUC or PHEI
concerned, or social welfare research within the Philippines in a public institution or any
international organization accredited by the DSWD for the underprivileged areas within
the  Philippines,  or  full-time  teaching  in  a  public  institution  shall  be  counted  in  the
required  number  of years  of return  service  under this Act:  ProVI'ded, /I.ncr/ly,  That the
licensed social worker shall receive appropriate salaries and other benefits for service
rendered   under   the   mandatory   integration   into   the   public   social   welfare   and
development system,
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SEC. 9. Sanctions. -A social worker who has availed of the SWSP but fails or refuses to
comply with the mandatory return service and integration provided under this Act, as
determined by the scholar's SUC or PHEI, in coordination with CHED and DSWD, shall be
required  to  pay  the  full  cost  of  scholarship,  including  other  benefits  and  expenses
incurred by reason of participation in the SWSP,
In case of nonpayment, as provided in the preceding paragraph, the PRC shall deny the
renewal of the social worker's license: Prov!.decJ, That the abovementioned penalties shall
not  apply to  social  workers  who  fail  to  comply  with  the  required  return  service  on
account, or by reason of, severe or serious illness.
SEC.10. Harmonization of All Nationally-Funded Scholarship Programs. -Upon the
effectivity of this Act,  all  nationally-funded  social  work scholarship  programs  shall be
harmonized,   rationalized,   and   consolidated   under   the   SWSP.   The   harmonization,
rationalization and  consolidation  of scholarship  programs  under the  SWSP  shall be  in
coordination  with  the  UniFAST  Board  created  under  Republic  Act  No.  10687  or  the
"United Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Act".
SEC.  11. Training While Serving the  Mandatory Return  Service.  -  The  CHED  and
DSWD shall develop programs for the continuous training of scholars while serving the
mandatory return service under this Act.
SEC.  12.  Social  Work  Schools  and  Plantilla  Positions.  -  In  order to  have  a  holistic
solution  and  address  the  scarcity  of  social  workers  in  the   country,  the   CHED,  in
coordination with the  DSWD,  shall  ensure that each  region  shall have  at least one  (1)
school offering social work programs. For this purpose, the CHED shall also streamline
the requirements for the application for authority to offer social work degree programs.
The CHED and DSWD shall issue the appropriate guidelines within sixty (60) days from
the effectivity of this Act.
In  addition,  the   Department  of  Budget  and   Management  (DBM),  DSWD   and  local
government units  (LGUs)  where  applicable,  shall  ensure  that all  scholars  required  to
render return service under this Act shall be appointed to appropriate plantilla positions
commensurate to their merit and fitness.
SEC.  13.  Role  of the  CHED.  -  The  CHED  shall  perform  the  following functions  in  the
implementation of the SWSP:
(a)  Impose  the  accreditation  of Social  Work  degree  programs,  especially  in  SUCs  and
PHEls;
(b) Encourage private HEls to create/develop modules on Social Work courses;
(c)  Conduct regular information dissemination of and recruitment to the SWSP in SUCs
and  PHEls,  in  coordination  with  the  DSWD,  to  ensure  that there  will  be  an  adequate
number of social workers in all the municipalities and provinces;
(d)  Review,  modify,  and  enhance  the  social  work  education  curriculum  standards  to
preparegraduatestoworkincommunity-basedSocialWorkprogramsandtoensurethat
7


Social Work programs remain up-to-date and are of comparable quality to Social Work
education in other countries;
(e) Together with the DSWD, develop programs for the continuous training of scholars,
based on identified competency gaps, while serving the mandatory return service under
this Act;
(f)  Coordinate with the  DSWD,  SUCs, and  PHEls for the  integration  of the social work
scholar into the public social welfare and development system;
(g) Formulate, promulgate, disseminate and implement the necessary policies, standards,
guidelines, and rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the SWSP under
this Act;
(h) Develop strategies and implement a system of quality control to improve the quality
of the social work degree program offerings in SUCs and PHEls;
[h) Require SUCs and PHEls to implement and submit a tracking, monitoring, evaluation
and assistance system to  determine the whereabouts of the social work scholars after
graduation from SUCs or PHEls;
(i)  Ensure  the  timely  and  adequate  release  to  partner-SUCs  and  PHEls  of the  funds
necessary for the  implementation  of the  SWSP, and  monitor the timely and adequate
release of the same by the partner-SUCs and PHEls to the scholar-beneficiaries under the
SWSP Program; and
(j)  Recommend, in  coordination with partner-SUCs and  PHEls, to the DBM the amount
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC.14. Role of the SUCs and PHEls. -The SUCs and PHEls shall perform the following
functions in the implementation of the SWSP:
(a)  Monitor  the  progress  of all  scholars  in  their  respective  educational  institutions,
identify  those  who  have  low  or  failing  grades,  and  counsel  them  to  improve  their
academic performance;
(b)  Coordinate with the CHED to ensure the timely release and accurate distribution of
allowances and other fees to the scholars;
(c)  Make an annual report to the CHED on the performance of social work scholars and
other necessary or vital information regarding the SWSP;
(d)  Assist  the  CHED  in  the  conduct  of  regular  information  dissemination  on,  and
recruitment to the SWSP;
(e)  Review, modify, and enhance the social work education curriculum, in coordination
with the implementing agencies (national government agencies and non-governmental
organizations,  etc.), to  prepare the  scholars to  work in  community-based  social work
programs to ensure that Social Work education programs remain up to date with recent
8


trends and developments;
(0  Recommend  strategies  to  CHED  and  DSWD  to  improve  the  implementation  of the
SWSP;
(g) Conduct a tracer study on the whereabouts of their respective social work scholars
after graduation from their institution and submit the results thereof to the CHED;
(h) Recommend to CHED and DBM the budget necessary to implement the SWSP in their
respective institutions based on their projected capacity and evaluation of the adequacy
of the funding under this Program; and
(i) Perform such other functions as may be deemed necessary for the success of the SWSP.
SEC.  15. Role of the DSWD. -  The  DSWD  shall perform the following functions in the
implementation of the SWSP:
(a)   In  coordination  with  CHED,  SUCs  and  PHEls,  determine  the  initial  number  and
distribution of social workers needed for each barangay, municipality, city, or province,
which determination shall be made every five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act;
(b)  Ensure  the  integration  of  scholars  into  the  public  social  work  and  development
service  system,  and  monitor their  performance  during the  mandatory  return  service
period;
(c) Coordinate with the LGUs for the mandatory integration of scholar-social workers into
the public social welfare and development service system; and,
(d) Recommend to DBM the creation of plantilla positions for scholar-social workers with
salary  grades  commensurate  to  their  educational  achievement,  training,  and  other
qualifications, subject to increase of salary based on the salary standardization policies.
SEC.16. Role of LGUs. -LGUs are mandated to support the integration of the social work
scholars into the public social work and development system by performing the following
functions:
(a) Create a mechanism or system to provide the necessary support, including support to
ensure  their  safety  and  protection,  for the  integration  of social  workers  who  will  be
assigned to the LGU;
(b) Coordinate with the DSWD and the social workers to determine the specific needs or
requirements   of  the   community   and   provide   the   necessary   assistance,   including
involvement  in  the  research  component  of the  public  social  work  and  development
system;
(c)   As   far  as   practicable  and   subject  to   availability   of  funds,   maintain   a   regular
counterpart  fund  to  be  used  for  providing the  balance  of the  scholarship  budget  for
scholars enrolled in SUCs or PHEls;
9


(d) Provide other forms of financial assistance, subject to availability of funds, to support
the integration program of social workers in the LGUs;
(e) Recommend to the CHED any strategies to improve the implementation of the SWSP;
(f)  In  coordination  with  the  CHED,  SUC,  or  PHEI  concerned,  conduct  an  information
dissemination campaign on the SWSP within the municipality, city or province, with the
objective of attracting qualified applicants to the said Program;
(g)   Execute  and  enforce  laws,  ordinances  and  regulations  which  may,  directly  or
indirectly, have a positive impact on the SWSP; and
(h) Perform all other acts to assist the scholar to ensure that the scholar finishes the social
work degree program within the time frame provided by the SUC or PHEI or the CHED.
SEC.17. Funding. The amount necessary to carry out the implementation of this Act shall
be  charged  against the  current year's  appropriation  of the  participating  SUCs,  PHEls,
DSWD, and CHED.
Thereafter,  the  amount  necessary  for  the  continuous  implementation  of  the  SWSP
provided under this Act shall be included in the scholarship program of SUCs and CHED
in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 18. Transitory Provisions. Upon the effectivity of this Act, current scholars under
the existing scholarship programs of DSWD and CHED shall automatically be eligible to
avail the benefits under this Act.
SEC.19. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on SWSP. -There is hereby created
a  Joint  Congressional   Oversight  Committee  to   oversee,   monitor   and   evaluate   the
implementation of this Act,
The Oversight Committee shall be composed of five (5)  members each from the Senate
and from the House of Representatives, and shall include the following: Chairperson of
the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education; Chairperson of the
House   Committee   on   Higher  and   Technical   Education;   Chairperson   of  the   Senate
Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development; Chairperson of the House
Committee  on  Social  Services;  and  three  (3)  members  each  to  be  chosen  from  the
membership of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, and
the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education by the Senate President and the
House Speaker, respectively: Provl.cJed, That at least one (1) member from the respective
nominees  of the  House  of  Representatives  and  the  Senate  shall  be  chosen  from  the
Minority.
SEC. 20. Determination of Number and Allocation of scholars to be Admitted. -Every
five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD and CHED shall, upon assessing
the  shortage  of  social  human  resource  work force  in  the  country  against  the  ideal
standards and the upon consultation with participating SUCs and  PHEls, the  DBM, and
the PRC, determine the number and geographical allocation of scholars to be admitted
every school year allocating at least one (1) scholarship slot in municipalities and cities
10


that  lack the  ideal  number  of government licensed  social  workers:  ProVI.ded,  That  in
determining the allocation quota of the scholars to be admitted to the Program, utmost
priority is  given  to  regions  with  the  low social  worker-to-population  ratios:  ProVI'd€cJ,
/I.ncr//y, That in order to ensure an adequate number of competent human resources for
social work for the entire country, the DSWD shall submit to Congress the National Social
Work and Development Human Resource Master Plan, and all updates thereto.
SEC. 21.  Implementing Rules and Regulations.  -Within  one  hundred twenty  (120)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the CHED and the DSWD shall, in coordination with
the  Philippine  Association  of State  Universities  and  Colleges,  Coordinating  Council  of
Private  Educational  Associations,  PRC,  DBM,  SUCs,  PHEls,  recognized  associations  of
social   work  and   other   relevant  stakeholders,   formulate   and   issue   the   rules   and
regulations to fully implement the provisions of this Act: Prov].ded,  That the absence of
the implementing rules and regulations shall not affect the effectivity of this Act and the
grant of benefits provided therein.
SEC. 22. Separability Clause. -If any part or provision of this Act shall be held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions hereof that are not affected shall remain
in full force and effect.
SEC. 23. Repealing Clause.  -All  laws,  decrees,  or rules  inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 24. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)  days after its publication in
the O/fci.a/ Gcrz€£te or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
11