Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH (16) CONGRESS | >
First Regular Session

1767

House Bill No..

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The accessibility of quality education to all citizens is the main purpose of this proposed
measure. To concretize this vision, this measure seeks to require all colleges and universities to
provide scholarship grants to poor but deserving students.

Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution provides that » The State shall protect and
promote that right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps
to make such education accessible to all.”

In order to enforce this clear mandate of the Constitution, all colleges and universities
shall be required under this measure to give their full support in the implementation of an
effective scholarship program geared towards the holistic education and training of poor but
deserving students and to provide them the necessary support mechanism to finish their
education.

This measure aims to empower and educate the poor Filipino students by giving them
the avenue to finish their college education and thereafter pursue productive careers. When we
educate the poor and provide them with the educational support mechanisms to finish their
studies, we proactively contribute to the welfare and well-being of this nation.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

“

HON. JOSEPH F. VIOLAGO
Representative
2ed District, Nueva Ecija


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH (16!) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1767

House Bill No.

Introduced by Hon. Joseph Gilbert F. Violago

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP
GRANTS TO POOR BUT DESERVING STUDENTS REPRESENTING AT LEAST FIVE
PERCENT (5%) OF THE TOTAL STUDENT POPULATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 for the Poor
Act of 2013.”

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

SEC. 3. Nature and Extent of Scholarship Grants, - Scholarship grants are hereby granted
in the form of free tuition fee to at least five percent (5%) of the student population in all colleges
and universities which grants shall be available to poor but deserving students.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The Secretary of the Department of
Education shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations for the speedy and
effective implementation of this scholarship program.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act js declared unconstitutional, the
other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication in the
Official Gazette or jn at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,