1
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by REP. JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines remains an agricultural nation, with nearly one in four Filipino 
workers engaged in farming, forestry, or fisheries. Despite their critical role in food 
production and rural development, farmers remain among the poorest sectors in the 
country. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (2023), poverty incidence 
among farmers remains disproportionately high, with many families earning below 
the official poverty threshold.1 This persistent economic condition perpetuates a two-
fold problem: first, the children of farmers are often unable to pursue higher 
education due to financial constraints; and second, fewer students are drawn to 
agriculture-related courses, perceiving limited opportunities and long-term 
insecurity in the field. 
This challenge is compounded by a deepening generational gap in agriculture. The 
2022 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries reveals a sharp increase in aging 
agricultural operators: those aged 65 and above rose by 75.3% from 2012 to 2022. In 
contrast, the number of young agricultural operators aged 15 to 24 declined over the 
same period, with particularly steep drops among male youth.2 Without strategic 
action, this shift threatens the sustainability of the country’s agricultural sector, its 
food systems, and its rural workforce. 
This bill seeks to respond to these challenges through the establishment of a 
Kabataang Magsasaka Scholarship Program—a national scholarship and return 
service initiative targeted specifically at students in agriculture and allied fields who 
are children or dependents of farmers. By providing comprehensive financial 
1 Philippine Statistics Authority, PRESS RELEASE: Fisherfolks and Farmers Remain to Have the 
Highest 
Poverty 
Incidences 
Among 
the 
Basic 
Sectors 
in 
2021 
(March 
24, 
2023), 
[https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/phdsd/Press%20Release_5%20%281%29.pdf] 
(Date 
last 
accessed: July 29, 2025). 
2 Philippine Statistics Authority, 2022 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries Agricultural Households and 
Operators (December 28, 2024), [https://psa.gov.ph/content/2022-census-agriculture-and-
fisheries-agricultural-households-and-operators] (Date last accessed: July 29, 2025). 
July 31, 2025
12:00 pm
2790


2
support and aligning education with sectoral needs, the measure aims to cultivate a 
new generation of technically trained, socially rooted, and publicly accountable 
leaders in Philippine agriculture. 
Under the proposed measure, eligible scholars will receive free tuition and other 
school fees, monthly stipends, educational materials, support for field immersion and 
research, and reimbursement for board exams and review fees. The program will 
cover undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies in Commission on Higher 
Education (“CHED”)-identified agriculture and allied degree programs, offered 
through State Universities and Colleges (“SUCs”), Local Universities and Colleges 
(“LUCs”), accredited private Higher Education Institutions (“HEIs”), and selected 
partner institutions abroad. 
To ensure that this public investment yields long-term national benefit, the bill 
requires all graduates to render a return service obligation in the agriculture sector. 
This may take the form of government service, academic or research work, or 
Department of Agriculture (“DA”)-endorsed agribusiness ventures that directly 
contribute to rural development. The return service mechanism is designed to be 
flexible but accountable, grounded in service and impact. 
The measure also mandates the modernization of agricultural curricula and training 
systems. CHED and the DA are directed to update academic programs to reflect 
evolving sectoral demands, including climate-resilient farming, farm mechanization, 
agri-business, and digital agriculture. Support for research, faculty development, and 
partnerships with Local Government Units (“LGUs”) and rural enterprises will 
ensure that learning remains grounded in practical realities and responsive to 
development goals. 
This proposed measure affirms the State’s duty to support inclusive access to quality 
education and to promote a sustainable, future-ready agricultural workforce. It 
responds directly to the structural decline in youth participation in farming and 
provides concrete opportunities for the children of farmers to advance their lives and 
communities. 
This bill is filed as a counterpart to a measure introduced by Senator Panfilo “Ping” 
Lacson in the Senate, and is consistent with similar proposals in the 20th Congress 
aimed at addressing the aging agricultural workforce and the persistent poverty 
among farming families. Its filing affirms a shared legislative commitment to 
strengthening the country’s agricultural sector by investing in the education and 
public service of the next generation of agri-professionals. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 


3
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by REP. JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AND RETURN 
SERVICE PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN AGRICULTURE AND 
ALLIED FIELDS WHO ARE CHILDREN OR DEPENDENTS OF 
FARMERS, TO BE KNOWN AS THE KABATAANG MAGSASAKA 
SCHOLARSHIP ACT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR  
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Kabataang 
Magsasaka Scholarship Act.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to establish and maintain a comprehensive system of scholarship grants, student 
loan programs, subsidies, and other incentives designed to support deserving 
students in both public and private educational institutions, with particular 
emphasis on assisting underprivileged individuals. 
The State is committed to promoting inclusive access to quality education 
in agriculture and allied fields, especially for children or dependents of farmers. 
This initiative aims to advance food security, foster rural development, and 
enhance the professionalization of the agricultural sector. To achieve these goals, 
the State shall implement a scholarship and return service program that supports 
qualified students who pledge to serve in the government agricultural sector 
upon completion of their studies. 
2790


 
4
 
SEC. 3.  Coverage and Eligibility. – The Kabataang Magsasaka Scholarship 
Program shall be granted exclusively to eligible children or dependents of 
farmers, subject to compliance with the following conditions: 
 
(a) The applicant must be enrolled in, or accepted into, an undergraduate 
degree program in agriculture or allied fields identified by the CHED and the DA; 
 
(b) The scholarship shall also be open to those pursuing master's or 
doctoral degrees, as well as post-baccalaureate certificate or diploma programs in 
the same fields. The minimum qualification standards, including academic and 
other merit-based requirements, shall be determined by CHED and the DA 
through guidelines to be issued in relation thereto, taking into account the 
academic rigors of the program, equitable access, and alignment with national 
agricultural development priorities; 
 
(c) The applicant must be enrolled in, or accepted into, any of the SUCs, 
LUCs, or CHED-accredited partner private HEIs in the Philippines, or in CHED-
accredited partner institutions abroad for those pursuing graduate-level studies 
or training; and 
 
(d) the applicant must be certified as a child or dependent of a farmer by 
the municipal or city agriculture office, or through other certification mechanisms 
as may be determined by CHED and the DA, including but not limited to the 
Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture. 
 
SEC. 4. Scholarship Benefits. – Qualified scholars shall be entitled to the 
following benefits: 
 
(a) Free tuition and other school fees in accordance with Republic Act No. 
10931 or as otherwise provided under this Act for those enrolled in non-public 
partner institutions; 
 
(b) Allowances and support for prescribed books, uniforms, equipment, 
and instructional materials; 
 
(c) A monthly living stipend, as determined by CHED and the DA; 
 
(d) Expenses for internships, fieldwork, field immersion, capstone projects, 
research, and other academic requirements as may be determined by CHED and 
DA; and 


 
5
 
(e) Reimbursement or direct funding for licensure or board examination 
fees, including board review courses for applicable programs, shall be extended 
for the first attempt, subject to limitations prescribed by CHED and DA. Any 
succeeding attempts shall be undertaken on a self-funded basis. 
 
SEC. 5. International Graduate Training Track. – To further enrich the 
graduate scholarship component of the Program, the CHED and the DA shall 
identify select scholars for short-term certificate training, graduate diploma 
programs, or full graduate studies in partner institutions abroad, particularly in 
areas where local expertise or programs remain limited. These international 
opportunities shall be aligned with national agricultural goals and subject to 
screening, availability of funding, and return service requirements. 
 
Scholars under this track shall be entitled to all applicable benefits 
provided under this Act, including allowances and support at rates 
commensurate with the tuition fees and cost of living in the host country. 
 
SEC. 6. Retention Policy for Undergraduates. – Undergraduate scholars 
shall remain in the program for as long as they are enrolled in good standing. 
Academic deficiencies shall not automatically disqualify a scholar, and CHED 
and the DA may provide academic support to help ensure completion of the 
degree. 
 
SEC. 7. Partner Higher Education Institutions. – The Kabataang 
Magsasaka Scholarship Program shall be implemented primarily through SUCs 
and LUCs that offer degree programs in agriculture and allied fields, as identified 
by CHED and the DA.  
 
CHED, in coordination with the DA, may also accredit private HEIs in the 
Philippines with demonstrated capacity, qualified faculty, appropriate facilities, 
and relevant academic programs as partner institutions for both undergraduate 
and graduate levels. 
 
For purposes of graduate training or programs, CHED and the DA may 
likewise accredit foreign HEIs, whether public or private, subject to guidelines 
and alignment with national agricultural development priorities. 
 
SEC. 8. Administration and Implementation. – The Kabataang Magsasaka 
Scholarship Program shall be jointly administered by CHED and the DA, which 
shall: 
 


 
6
(a) Formulate the implementing rules and guidelines of the Program; 
 
(b) Establish regional selection and screening committees to ensure fair 
and needs- sensitive implementation; 
 
(c) Maintain and update a centralized scholarship database for effective 
tracking of scholars and return service compliance; and 
 
(d) Coordinate with partner HEIS, LGUs, and other agencies for scholar 
support and monitoring. 
 
SEC. 9. Modernization of Agricultural Education and Training. – To 
ensure that scholars gain knowledge and skills relevant to today's agricultural 
needs, the CHED, in coordination with the DA and partner HEIs, shall: 
 
(a) Include updated and practical topics in the curriculum, such as climate-
resilient farming, agri-business, farm mechanization, and the use of modern tools 
and digital technology in agriculture; 
 
(b) Provide students with access to demonstration farms, laboratories, and 
equipment to support hands-on training in modern agricultural practices; 
 
(c) Promote partnerships with research institutions, experts, private 
organizations, and agri-technology providers to support student learning and 
exposure to new developments in the field; 
 
(d) Offer continuing learning opportunities and training programs for 
graduates to help them stay informed about current trends and innovations in 
agriculture; and 
 
(e) Support the development of master's and doctorate programs in SUCs 
and qualified LUCs. This includes assistance for curriculum development, faculty 
training, research facilities, and partnerships with local governments and agri-
based industries to ensure relevance to rural development needs. 
 
The CHED and the DA shall issue the necessary guidelines to implement 
this section effectively. 
 
SEC. 10. Return Service Requirement. – Graduates of this Program shall be 
required to render return service in the government for a minimum period 
equivalent to the length of time they benefited from the scholarship, subject to the 
following conditions: 


 
7
 
(a) Return service shall be rendered in a government agency, government-
owned or controlled corporation, LGU, or public educational or research 
institution involved in agriculture or allied sectors, as determined by CHED and 
DA; 
 
(b) Return service shall commence within one (1) year after graduation or 
completion of mandatory licensure requirements; 
 
(c) In the event that no suitable return service opportunity is available in 
the government, as verified and certified jointly by CHED and DA, graduates 
may fulfill their service obligation through alternative placements. These may 
include: 
 
i. Accredited non-government organizations, cooperatives, or private 
sector entities directly engaged in agricultural development, extension services, 
agribusiness, or research; 
 
ii. Start-up ventures or enterprises in the agricultural or allied sectors, 
provided these are endorsed by DA and monitored for compliance; and 
 
iii. Academic or research contributions, such as teaching or conducting 
DA/CHED-approved research in agriculture-related fields in public or private 
institutions. 
 
(d) In lieu of employment-based return service, graduates may apply to 
fulfill their obligation by establishing an agricultural or allied-sector enterprise 
that demonstrably contributes to local or national development. Subject to CHED 
and DA approval, such graduates may be eligible to receive seed funding or 
startup support, provided that: 
 
i. The proposed enterprise is aligned with the objectives of the 
program; 
 
ii. The graduate submits a business plan and implementation timeline 
for evaluation; 
 


 
8
iii. The enterprise must operate for a minimum period equivalent to 
the return service requirement, during which it shall be subject to regular 
performance monitoring; and 
 
iv. Failure to sustain the enterprise without valid reason, or deviation 
from approved activities, shall result in mandatory reimbursement of both 
scholarship benefits and startup funds received. 
 
SEC. 11. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to implement this Act 
shall be charged against the current appropriations of CHED and the DA. 
Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continued implementation 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 12. Non-Duplication of Benefits. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed to duplicate the benefits provided under Republic Act No. 10931 or the 
Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. Where applicable, the 
benefits under this Act shall be complementary to those provided under existing 
laws and shall supplement, not supplant, other scholarship grants or support 
programs for the agricultural sector. 
 
SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The CHED and the DA 
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions 
of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity. 
 
SEC. 14. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining section/s of the Act or any provision/s 
not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SEC. 16. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,