08 AUS 2013

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No,__ 2898.

Introduced by Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide an opportunity for qualified poor but deserving
students to pursue college education by virtue of a scholarship grant.

It is embodied in the Constitution that the State shall protect and
promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take
appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all, Pursuant to this
mandate, Congress passed the Free Secondary Education Act of 1988 to
provide free secondary education to the less-privileged and the poor.

Unfortunately, however, many high school graduates from the low
income sector of society have no means to pursue college education. More
unfortunate are those among these graduates who possess above average
intelligence and who are intellectually capable and ready to continue with their
education have families which have no means to provide them with such
opportunity,

itis the theme of this Bill that education is the greatest equalizer.

There is a need therefore for government to come to the rescue of
these students. It is our responsibility to provide them with good education so
as to aid them in becoming productive members of society. This will also be a
giant step towards achieving an inclusive growth in the country.

The foregoing reasons warrant the approval of this measure.

REP. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA
Lone District, Bacolod City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2358

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO PROVIDE
SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS TO POOR BUT DESERVING STUDENTS
REPRESENTING AT LEAST ONE PERCENT (1%) OF THE TOTAL
STUDENT POPULATION

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
“Scholarship Grants for Poor but Deserving Students Act of 2013”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State
to give highest priority to education, protect and promote the rights of all
citizens to quality education and it shall take appropriate steps to make such
education accessible to all. © Towards this end, there shall be granted
scholarship to poor but deserving students in all colleges and universities.

SEC. 3. Definition. - As used in this Act, the term ‘poor but
deserving students” shall refer to any Filipino student who graduated high
school with academic weight average of at least eighty-five percent (85%) and
whose family has no visible means of income or with an annual income of not

more than sixty thousand pesos (P60,000.00)

SEC. 4. Coverage.— Scholarship grants shall cover only free
tuition fees to any poor but deserving students as defined under the


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immediately preceding Section. The scholarship grantees shall not be less
than one percent (1%) of the total student population of the college or

university,

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of
the Department of Education (DepEd) and Chairperson of the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED), in consultation with the heads and leaders of duly
recognized organizations of colleges and universities, shall promulgate the
rules and regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this
Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected therein
shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, and executive orders
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national

newspapers of general circulation

Approved