NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
...will,
V! - 
rl ’i
24 JUL 23 A8,-48
S. No.
SENATE
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR SCHOLARSHIP TO CHILDREN AND DEPENDENTS OF 
FARMERS AND FISHERFOLKS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The agriculture sector remains to be a significant contributor to the growth of 
our economy. In 2023, our country's agriculture sector experienced a growth rate of 
1.2 percent, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Within the said 
sector, farming and fisheries have been the largest sub-sectors in the country.
Farmers and fisherfolks are essential contributors to our economy, ensuring 
food security and economic stability while preserving cultural heritage. Despite their 
significant and critical roles in the economy, farmers and fisherfolks are among the 
poorest and most disadvantaged groups. Many of them earn very low and unstable 
incomes, often forcing them to borrow money to finance their activities and meet their 
basic needs. Additionally, their families have limited access to educational 
opportunities, making it hard to improve their lives and those of their children.
This underscores the urgent need for targeted support to empower these 
farmers and fisherfolks, and their families. Education is a fundamental right that 
should be accessible to all. Providing scholarships is one of the methods to ensure
\\


that less privileged individuals have equal opportunities to access quality education. 
Thus, this bill aims to provide assistance to the same by offering scholarship grants to 
their children and dependents.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPm
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
S. No
SENATE
2737
of «•,?£• rtv-x •
24 JUL 23 A 8 :48
R"C£u'fcO :v.„
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR SCHOLARSHIP TO CHILDREN AND DEPENDENTS OF 
FARMERS AND FISHERFOLKS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Educational
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Scholarship for Children and Dependents of Farmers and Fisherfolks Act."
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SECTION 2. Declaration of FbWcy. - It is declared the policy of the State to
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protect and promote the rights of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall
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take appropriate steps and measures to make such education accessible to all.
6 
Providing scholarships is one of the methods to ensure that less privileged individuals
7 
have equal opportunities to access quality education.
8 
SECTION 3. Full Scholarship for Children and Dependents of Farmers. -
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Children and dependents of farmers listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in
10 
Agriculture (RSBSA), shall be entitled to full scholarship from basic education until
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their completion of tertiary education subject to rules and regulations as mandated by
12 
this Act.
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The benefits shall include all expenses for education, whether in public or
14 
private school, such as but not limited to tuition fees, miscellaneous and other fees.


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board and lodging, transportation expenses, aiiowances for books, clothing and food
2 
and other similar expenses.
3 
SECTION 4. Special Fund for Educational Benefits. - In order to carry out the
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provisions of this Act, there is hereby estabiished a Speciai Fund, to be known as the
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"Educational Benefits for Farmers and Fisherfolks Fund," in the amount of Fifty Million
6 
Pesos (P50,000,000.00). Such fund shall be perpetually maintained and used
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exclusively for the benefit of children and dependents of farmers; Provided, that not
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more than 5% of this Fund shaii be used for the administration of the Special Fund.
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SECTION 5. Administration of the Fund. - The Unified Student Financiai
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Assistance for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Governing Board, in consultation with the
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Department of Agriculture and three (3) representatives from the farmers and
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fisherfoiks selected from a verified procedure of selection as agreed upon by the
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farmers and fisherfolks, shall have the primary responsibiiity of managing and
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supervising the Fund. It shall also be responsible in formulating the mechanics, scope
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and limitations, and requirements for the scholarship program.
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The UniFAST Secretariat shall serve as the Secretariat providing administrative
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support to the Board and shall perform functions as authorized by the UniFAST Board.
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SECTION 6. 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.
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act 
is declared unconstitutional or invalid, parts of provisions of this Act that are not 
affected shaii continue to be in fuii force and effect.
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified and/or superseded as case may be by this 
Act accordingly.


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SECTION 8. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation, whichever comes earlier.
Approved,