NINETEENTH CONGkESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
)
'22 JUL 14 P4 •■09
SENATE
s. No. 655
Rl'CElVtO lit.
Introduced by SENATOR FRANCIS "TOL" N. TOLENTINO
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR GIFTED AND 
TALENTED STUDENTS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section 2 (3) of the 1987 Constitution provides that: "The State 
shall: [ejstablish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan 
programs, subsidies, and other incentives which shall be available co deserving 
students in both public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged."
In this regard, state support is an important factor in enabling students to 
pursue excellence in the fields of math, science, humanities, arts and sports, which 
would then translate to high-valued skills and intellectual capital. Incentivizing and 
subsidizing the education of deserving students not only recognizes the vital role of 
the youth in nation building but also opens up avenues for Innovation and 
occupational specialization.
Gifted and talented learners can become the source of national pride in 
different fields as they represent the country in competitions and showcases. Once 
they reach their potentials, they may even provide creative solutions to pressing 
development issues. The first step in capacity-building is to create a conducive 
atmosphere for learning that takes into account their specific needs. This is where 
the current government paradigm falls short.
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At present, there is no institutionalized system that aptly caters to the 
academic demands of gifted and talented learners. Such students require a different 
treatment and certain adjustments in educational programs as the lack of 
challenging learning opportunities may cause stagnation that would inhibit them 
from fully developing.
Gifted education in the Philippines has been limited to a few science and 
mathematics programs offered by the Philippine Science High School System under 
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and music and arts programs 
offered by the Philippine High School for the Arts under the National Commission of 
Culture, and Arts (NCCA). Elite private schools in urban areas mostly monopolize 
gifted education across the country and access to these institutions can be difficult 
for marginalized learners.
In sum, there is no unifying body or organization advocating and supervising 
gifted education in the Philippines. While science schools all over the country have 
become the current haven for gifted and talented learners, there is much to be 
desired in terms of access to opportunities and state support.
In order to give effect to the Constitutional mandate and to institutionalize 
state sponsorship for gifted learning, this bill aims to provide the following:
(a) A system of acceleration in academic curriculum and student engagement 
with external mentors from concerned fields of study;
(b) Scholarships, grants and incentives for gifted and talented learners as 
well as sponsorships in local or international competitions and showcases to 
enhance competitiveness;
(c) Fellowship placements in various governmental institutions to address the 
"brain drain" debacle.
Verily, the potential of gifted and talented learners to create meaningful 
solutions that could fuel job creation, improve lives and increase efficiency in
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government services is limitless. It is in the national interest of the Government to 
hone the brightest minds and give them the opportunity to contribute in addressing 
the Nation's challenges. Considering the foregoing, the immediate enactment of this 
bill is respectfully requested.
"TOL" N. TOLENTINO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
V-,i ^ ft'
of tlje 01 c; tuny
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SENATE
S. No.B 5 5
•22 JUL 14 P4 :09
RECEIVED DY;
Introduced by SENATOR FRANCIS "TOL" N. TOLENTINO
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR GIFTED AND 
TALENTED STUDENTS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title, This Act shaii be known as the "Henyong Kabataang
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Pinoy Act of 2022."
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Section 2. State Policy, It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan program,
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subsidies, and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both
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public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged.
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The State affirms the role of students who are gifted and/or talented in different
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intellectual, physical, creative or social domains in nation building and recognizes their
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potential to significantly contribute to national development through innovative
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strategies and creative solutions.
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The State endeavors to increase the access of gifted and/or talented learners
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to rigorous, relevant ana engaging learning opportunities aligned with their individual
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learning needs, strengths, interests and goals.


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Section 3. Scope and Limitations. The Act shall be limited in scope,
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application, and effectivity to Filipino students in primary, secondary, and tertiary
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education.
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Section 4. Definition of Terms. For purposes of the Act, the following
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terms shall mean:
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a) 
Government Fellows Program - refers to the program that enables
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gifted and/or talented learners who are beneficiaries of scholarships,
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grants, and other such benefits to devote prescribed years to work in
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the public sector to be able to bring back to the community;
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b) 
Gifted Learner - refers to those students whose potential is distinctly
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above average in one or more areas of human cognition. Gifted
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students have exceptional abilities In one or more academic subjects
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such as mathematics, science, history and geography;
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c) 
Talented [.earner - refers to those students whose skills are distinctly
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above average in one or more areas of human performance. Talented
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learners have exceptional abilities in one or more practical subjects
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such as dance, music, arts, sports, among others;
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d) 
Mentorship Program - refers to a system where in a mentor or a
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partner with specific skills and knowledge are connected with gifted or
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talented learners who need or want the same skills and advantages to
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move up in work, skill level, or school performance;
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e) 
Service Obligation Contract - refers to an undertaking by the gifted
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and/or talented learners, who enjoyed any of the benefits under this
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Act, to serve in the public sector for a specific number of years after
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completion of tertiary education;
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Section 5. Gifted and Taiented Learners Deveiopment Program. A
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"Gifted and Talented Learners Development Program" (Program) shall be created to
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address the special needs of gifted and/or talented learners. This shall include


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comprehensive and aligned services that use individualized, consultative and
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collaborative methods to enhance student performance in cognitive and affective
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areas.
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Gifted and/or talented learners shall have access to learning resources such
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as technology infused learning, internships, acceleration, enrichment programs,
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mentorships or individual projects based on student interest and areas of giftedness
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or talent: Provided to ensure the proper education approach, the Department
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of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and ail other
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concerned agencies shall formulate and adopt policies geared towards the full
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development of gifted and/or talented learners.
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Sedf ion 6. Local and International Scholarshi/:^s, Gifted and Talented
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Learners who meet the requirements of the selection process shall enjoy any or all
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of the following scholarship grants:
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a) 
Primary and Secondary Education - Gifted and/or talented learners
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shall have immediate access to specialized high schools such as the
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Philippine Science High School and the Philippines High School for the
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Arts, among others.
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In case the student chooses a private educational institution,
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scholarships grants including, but not limited to, the cost of tuition and
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miscellaneous fees shall be subsidized.
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b) 
Tertiary Education and Vocational Education - Tertiary and Vocational
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Education scholarship grants, aids anu other assistance shall be
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governed by Republic Act No. 10687, otherwise known as the "Unified
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Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST)
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Act of 2015," and Republic Act No. 10648, otherwise known as the
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"Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2014": Provided, that the high school
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graduation requirement for application shall be waived for
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exceptionally gifted and/or talented students; Provided further, that
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enjoyment of benefits under the aforementioned laws shall not


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C)
prejudice the conferment of additional benefits and incentives given to 
gifted and/or talented learners under this Act; Provided finally, that in 
the event that the UniFAST Program or the Iskolar ng Bayan Program 
shall not be applicable to selected gifted and/or talented learners, the 
Committee shall formulate the necessary scholarship program/s that 
would allow such learners access to quality education and training 
relevant to their needs.
International Education Programs - If international scholarships and 
programs are available to qualified students, the Committee shall 
encourage and assist in the application process of gifted and/or 
talented learners. All fees pertinent thereto, including the cost of the 
program, shall be shouldered by the State.
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Section 7. Additional Benefits. In addition to scholarship grants, gifted
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and/or talented learners shall be entitled to the following monthly benefits:
a) 
Educational Expenses Allowance in the amount of Five 
Thousand Pesos (Php5,000);
b) 
Medical Allowance in the amount of Two Thousand Pesos 
(Php2,000);
c) 
Transportation Allowance in the amount of One Thousand Pesos
d) 
(Phpl,000);
e) 
Board and Lodging Allowance in the amount of Ten Thousand
Pesos (Phpl0,000) for underprivileged and/or marginalized learners from far 
flung areas who will be dislocated from their residences;
f) 
Subsidies and Sponsorships 
for Local and International
Competitions and Showcases shall be available to learners representing the
Philippines. Application fees, transportation fees, board and lodging for the 
learner and one (1) parent or guardian shall be shouldered by the State.


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Furthermore, Competition or Showcase Allowance for local and international
events shall be determined by the Committee.
Section 8. Acceleration Program. The DepEd, CHED, and other concerned 
agencies shall devise an "Acceleration Program" to address the advanced learning 
requirements of gifted and/or talented learners. Such as entrance to school at a 
younger age than their peers, grade-skipping or early entry to tertiary education 
regardless of their age.
Section 9. Mentorship Program. A Mentorship Program shall be made 
available to gifted and/or talented students. The Committee shall facilitate in the 
appropriate matching of an in-school and external mentor, who may come from the 
private or public sector. The designated mentor shall supervise the content 
enrichment, transfer of knowledge and specific gift-based or talent-based skills 
development of the learner.
Section 10. Government Fel!ows Program, To encourage pad:icipation in 
policy development, all gifted and/or talented learners who enjoyed any of the 
scholarships, grants and other benefits under this Act shall enter into a "Government 
Fellows Program" requiring public service for a specific number of years after 
completing tertiary education. They shall be bound by a Service Obligation Contract 
and the terms therein snail be equitably determined by the Committee.
Section 11. Gifted and Talented Education Committee. To carry out 
the purposes of this Act, a Gifted and Talented Education Committee (Committee) 
shall be created. It shall be attached to the DepEd, composed of the Secretary of the 
DepEd as ex officio Chairperson, the CHED Commissioner, and other heads of 
concerned agencies as may be determined by the Implementing Rules and 
Regulations.
The Committee shall formulate and approve policies and strategies for gifted 
and/or talented learners and review existing policies to ensure consistency with 
policy framework under this Act. It shall also promulgate the minimum guidelines


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and rules and regulations for determining qualified Beneficiaries for the Gifted and
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Talented Learners Education Program.
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Section 12. Appropriations, The amount of One Hundred Million 
(Phpl00,000,000) necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, specifically for 
the creation of the Committee and the initial implementation of this Act, shall be 
charged against the current year's appropriation of the DepEd. Thereafter, such 
amount as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
Section 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - For the purpose of 
establishing an institutionalized government support system for gifted and/or 
talented learners, a committee composed of the Department of Education, 
Commission on Higher Education, Department of Science and Technology, National 
Center for Culture and the Arts, National Sports Commission and other concerned 
government agencies shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations in 
order to carry out the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days from its 
effectivity.
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Section 14. Separability Clause, If any provision of this Act is held
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain 
in full force and effect.
Section 15. Repealing Clause, All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations, and other executive issuances which are 
inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, 
modified, or repealed accordingly.
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Section 16. Effectivity Clause, This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
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following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
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circulation.
Approved,