SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No. 86314

Introduced by: ATTY. MA. THERESA B, BONOAN
4 District, City of Manila

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution, Article 14, Section 1, provides:

“Phe 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.”

It futher provides in the same Article, Section 2 (3) that:
“The State shall:

(3) Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student
loan programs, subsidies, and other incentives which shall be available to
deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to the
under-privileged;”

However, even though the government wants to give each and every
deserving student a scholarship grant or a financial aid for them to finish
tertiary education, it cannot possibly do so for lack 6f funds. To address the
problem of lack of funds and maintaining a scholarship program for
deserving students, both the students and the government should meet
halfway. In other words, the government will provide additional funds to
those who are already working while studying part-time. In that way, the
government can help more deserving students as compared to a program
where the government shoulders everything’ In addition, this method also
encourages students not to rely too much on government and find a way to
help themselves.

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


This is a House of Representative counterpart bill to one filed in the
Senate by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

ATTY. MA. T! BYAANASS BONOAN
4th District, City of Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No.

Introduced by: MA. THERESA B. BONOAN
4% District, City of Manila

AN ACT OF GRANTING FINANCIAL AID TO DESERVING
PART-TIME.STUDENTS HIGHER EDUCATION

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in
Congress of the Philippines assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title." - This Act shall be known as the ““Part-Time
‘Student Grant Act of 2013.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It’ is hereby declared the policy of
the State to 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. In this regard, the State shall provide funds
to help part-time students to finish their tertiary education while they are
working.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term:

(A) “Commission} means the.Commission on Higher Education;


(B

(Ce)

) “Financial need” means need as determined by the Commission
based upon a need analysis standard established by the
Commission. Such standard shall take into consideration the
student’s current annual income and exclude his or her home

equity;

“Part-time students” means a student taking not less than three
(3) semester hours and not more than eleven (11) semester hours
per semester, or the equivalent for a quarter or term. The term
covers only part-time students who are working while studying.

SECTION 4. Grant Program; Establishment and Purpose. - A grant
prograin is established by the government to fosh the pursuit of

tert

tiary education by pwt-he, independent students who have financial

need.

SECTION 5. Participation in Grant Program; Eligibility. - A person is
eligible to participate in the grant program if he or she meets all of the
following:

(1) Is a part-time student.

(2)Is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a university or college of
not less than nine (9) months duration leading to a degree or
certificate from a degree granting educational institution that is
approved by the‘ Commission.

(3)Has resided continuously in this country for the immediately
preceding twelve (12) months and is not considered a resident of
any other country.

(4) Is not incamrated in a corrections institution.

(5)Has complied with this Act and the rules promulgated under
this Act by the Commission.

(6) Is a Philippine citizen.

(7)Is not enrolled in an institution whose primary purpose is to
prepare students for ordination or appointment as a member of
the clergy of a church, denomination, or religious association,

order, or sect.

(8) Is not in default bn a loan guaranteed: by the Commission



(9)Is hewn by the school that he/she is enrolled in to be making
satisfactory academic progress.

SECTION 6. Total Amount Granted to Educational Institution; Use of
Funds. - The total of the amount granted to an educational institution
shall be proportionate to the number of needy independent students
eligible for this program enrolled at the institution for the most recent
year for which statistics are available, Funds provided to eligible schools
shall be used for awards to students, not for administration of the
program.

SECTION 7. Maximum Grant to Eligible Student; Priority; Effect of Other
Scholarships or Grant Awards..

(1) The Commission shall determine the niaximum amount an
eligible student can receive per academic year.

(2) If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the money available,
priority shall be given to persons with the greatest financial need
as determined by each educational institution.

(3) A student who is already receiving a scholarship or grant award,
may be eligible for funds under this Act if the total amount of the
student's scholarships and grants is less than the student's
financial need. A student's scholarship and grant awards may be
increased with funds fmm the program under this Act up to the
level of the maximum grant as provided in this Act.

SECTION "8. Gifts, Grants, Bequests, Donations, And Devises;
Acceptance Authorized; Annual Report. - The Commission may accept
gifts, grants, bequests, donations, and devises, from whatever sources,
of real, personal, or mixed property and money for the purposes
describéd in this act. The Commission shall prepare an annual report of
all gifts, grants,sbequests, donations, and devises for the governor and
the legislature

SECTION 9. Promulgation of Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The
Board shall make reasonable rules and ‘regulations for the orderly and
efficient administration’ of this Act within six (6) months from the time
that this Act takes effect. * 2


SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the
provisions ofthis Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Separability Clause. - Jf any portion or provision of this Act
is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision
not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

co]
SECTION 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
following the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or
in a newSpaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved.