TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
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SENATE 
Senate Bill No. ^ 4 8
25 JliL -8 P5 '?-]
Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND 
FOR EMERGENCIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the Philippines, pursuing an education is not only a right but, 
more importantly, a dream that many students pursue with grit and 
resilience. For countless young Filipinos, especially those from low- 
income families, this dream comes at a cost. Each day is a quiet act of 
sacrifice as they stretch every peso to make it to the next school day. 
This already difficult situation is further compounded in times of 
emergencies. Natural disasters, displacement, medical crises, and other 
unforeseen events can instantly derail their education entirely.
While the government offers various scholarships and assistance 
programs, these are often inaccessible in urgent situations due to red 
tape and documentary requirements. In moments of emergency, 
students and their families need immediate assistance.
This bill seeks to establish the Student Assistance Fund for 
Emergencies (SAFE) to address this critical gap. Under SAFE, students 
affected by emergencies may receive prompt financial support for 
transportation, food, lodging, school contributions, medical expenses, 
and other essential costs that stand in the way of their education.


Procedures for application are simplified, recognizing the 
urgeney of such circumstances and providing temporary relief with 
minimal red tape. To enforce accountability and ensure the system is 
not abused, guidelines for post-submission of doeuments and 
verifieation are provided, along with mechanisms to disincentivize 
abuse.
By institutionalizing SAFE, we affirm the State’s duty to make 
edueation genuinely accessible even when life beeomes hardest. It is a 
commitment that in times of a student’s most difficult situations, the 
government will not turn its back on them. It is a safety net for the 
present, and an investment in the nation’s future.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is 
earnestly sought.
mV TULFO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 248
25 JIJL -8 P5 :21
Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND 
FOR EMERGENCIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the 
Student Assistance Fund for Emergencies (SAFE) Act.,'‘
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy 
of the State to uphold the right to accessible education and to provide 
immediate relief to students in times of emergencies and unforeseen 
hardship. Toward this end, the State shall establish a mechanism for 
rapid response and assistance to students facing emergencies that may 
hinder their ability to continue their education.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
a) Accommodation allowance refers to financial assistance provided 
to cover temporary lodging expenses incurred by a student due to 
emergencies that prevent them from returning home or 
necessitate temporary relocation;


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b) Digital Disbursement Platforms refer to government-accredited
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electronic or online systems used to transmit financial assistance
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directly to beneficiaries through digital wallets, bank accounts, or
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other secure digital means;
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c) Displacement refers to the forced or involuntary movement of a
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student from their residence or regular place of lodging due to
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natural disasters, calamities, armed conflict, eviction, or other
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similar emergencies;
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d) Emergency refers to any unforeseen or unavoidable event or
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circumstance that imposes an immediate financial burden on
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students and threatens their ability to continue or complete their
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education;
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e) Immediate Assistance refers to the prompt release of financial
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support under this Act subject to post-compliance requirements;
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f) Medical Expenses refer to those costs incurred by a student for
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medical treatment or hospitalization arising from accidents,
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injuries, or illness occurring during school-sanctioned activities
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or within the school premises;
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g) Mobile Payout Centers refer to roving physical facilities
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designated by the DSWD or authorized partners to deliver
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financial assistance in geographically isolated, disadvantaged, or
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disaster-affected areas;
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h) Student refers to any Filipino citizen enrolled in a duly recognized
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basic education or higher education institution in the Philippines;
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i) School-Related Fees or Urgent Contributions refer to mandatory
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academic or administrative charges required for a student’s
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continued enrollment, participation in essential school-
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sanctioned activities, or fulfillment of academic requirements, the
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payment of which is time-sensitive or cannot be reasonably
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delayed;
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j) Subsistence Allowance refers to financial assistance intended to
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cover a student’s basic daily needs, including food and non-
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alcoholic beverages, during periods of emergency; and
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k) Transportation Allowance refers to financial assistance to cover
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the cost of travel between a student’s place of residence and their
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educational institution, or to and from a temporary shelter or
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evacuation center, as necessitated by an emergency.


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SEC. 4. Student Assistance Fund for Emergencies. - There is 
hereby established a fund to be known as the Student Assistance Fund 
for Emergencies (SAFE), to be administered by the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), to provide immediate 
assistance to students in distress due to emergencies.
SEC. 5. Types of Assistance. - The SAFE shall provide immediate 
assistance in the form of:
a) Transportation allowance;
b) Subsistence and/or accommodation allowance;
c) School-related fees or urgent contributions;
d) Emergency medical expenses; and
e) Other similar expenses directly related to ensuring the student’s 
ability to continue their education during or immediately after an 
emergency.
SEC. 6. Covered Emergencies. — For purposes of this Act, 
covered emergencies include, but are not limited to:
a) Natural or man-made calamities such as typhoons, earthquakes, 
floods, fires, volcanic eruptions, pandemics, and armed conflicts;
b) Destruction of residence resulting in permanent or temporary 
displacement;
c) Suspensions or disruptions of classes requiring unexpected 
transportation, accommodation, or subsistence costs;
d) Medical emergencies, particularly those occurring during school- 
sanctioned events or within school premises;
e) Inability to pay urgent school contributions; or
f) Other analogous situations, where delay would cause undue 
hardship to the student or result in educational disruption.
SEC. 7. Modes of Delivery. - The DSWD shall adopt efficient 
and flexible modes of delivering assistance to the students needing 
immediate assistance from the government, including but not limited 
to cash disbursements, digital disbursement platforms, mobile payout


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centers, or direct coordination with the concerned schools and LGUs, 
to ensure rapid and equitable access to SAFE support.
SEC. 8. Expediency and Simplified Requirements. — The SAFE 
shall be designed for immediate response. Applicants may receive 
immediate assistance upon submission of minimal or preliminary 
documentation, subject to full documentary compliance within thirty 
(30) calendar days from receipt of assistance.
The required documents shall include:
a) Proof of enrollment;
b) Name, Address, and Contact Details of the Student or their 
parent/guardian; and
c) Certification or any proof of emergency issued by the school, 
hospital, local government unit (LGU) or other competent 
authority.
SEC. 9. Failure to Submit. - Failure to submit the required 
documents within the prescribed period or submission of falsified 
information shall result in:
a) Disqualification from receiving future assistance under SAFE or 
other similar government programs;
b) Inclusion in a watchlist of assistance grantees; and
c) Initiation of recovery mechanisms.
SEC. 10. Liability of Government Officials. — Government 
officials and school personnel found to have willfully facilitated or 
approved fraudulent applications shall be held administratively or 
criminally liable under applicable laws.
SEC. 11. Amount of Assistance. - The amount of assistance shall 
depend on the nature and severity of the covered emergency, but in no 
case shall exceed Five Thousand Pesos (PHP 5,000.00) per student per 
emergency, subject to availability of funds.


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SEC. 12. Real-Time Data Sharing and Validation. - The DSWD, 
in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) and 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), shall establish an 
integrated system for real-time data sharing and validation of student 
beneficiaries, subject to the provisions of Republic Act No. 10173, 
otherwise known as ''Data Privacy Act of 2012 This system shall 
allow validation of applications, monitor disbursements, and prevent 
duplication or abuse.
SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety 
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, in consultation 
with the DepEd, CHED, and other relevant agencies, shall promulgate 
the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the effective 
implementation of this Act.
SEC. 14. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s 
appropriations of the DSWD. Thereafter, such sum as may be 
necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 15. Reporting and Oversight. - The DSWD shall submit an 
annual report to Congress detailing the implementation of SAFE, 
including the disbursements made, types of assistance rendered, and 
the number of student beneficiaries served. Congress shall review its 
implementation and may recommend amendments as necessary.
SEC. 16. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this 
Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions 
thereof not so declared shall remain valid and effective.
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SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, orders,
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issuances, rules, and regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent
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with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen
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(15) days following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or
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in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,