Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __ 28 29

Introduced by Representative Marlyn Primicias-Agabas

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Philippines, in order to harness more effectively the opportunities
abounding the era of globalization, has to recognize the vital role of science
and technology as the foundation of future economic development. With
globalization giving rise to rapid technological change, increased competition
among nations, the expansion of the services sector, and increasing mobility
of skilled labor, the country should look for ways and means to sustain its
strengths, even fortify its staple resources, so that it may not lose out on
opportunities while participating in the world arena.

The National Science and Technology Plan for 2002-2020 or NSTP
2020 states that biotechnology and information and communications
technology stand out as having great potential for less developed countries in
the era of globalization. Yet in the Philippines, opportunities in these fields
are not well-recognized partially due to lack of government support to
students who wish to pursue tertiary studies in the said fields. Sadly, there
are only two (2) scholarship grants being given by the Department of Science
and Technology every year in Natural and Applied Sciences, Engineering and
Information and Communications Technology which offer limited financial
benefits and subsidies to grantees.

This proposed National Scholarship Program will help correct the
oversight of government education grants by providing high school graduates
greater access to education opportunities in a more equitable manner. It will
institutionalize a more focused approach toward science and technology
education by ensuring that every poor and deserving high school student who
has the capacity to pursue a career in science and technology shall have the
unequivocal support of the government.

‘This proposed measure underscores this fact and shall mandate the
government to embrace this concept more tightly.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is urgently sought.

jy.
PRIMIGIAS-AGABAS
6% District, Pahgasinan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2829

Introduced by Representative Marlyn Primicias-Agabas

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS IN SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY COURSES IN EVERY PROVINCE OF THE
COUNTRY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. There shall be selected annually from the graduating
classes of all public high schools in each province of the country, poor but
deserving students who shall be granted scholarships in science and
technology courses.

SECTION 2. The Scholarship shall be in the form of Financial
Assistance to cover tuition and registration fees, book allowance, board and
lodging fees or transportation allowance, and a monthly stipend for living
expenses in an amount as the college or university, where the grantee shall
enroll, may determine as reasonable and necessary.

SECTION 3. For the purposes of this Act, Science and Technology
Courses shall refer to courses in the area of Allied, Natural and Applied
Sciences, Engineering, and Information and Communications Technology.

SECTION 4. No student shall be granted the scholarship unless he or
she possesses the following qualifications:

(1) He must belong to the top one (1) percent of the high school
graduating class, and attain and maintain, such tests, standards, or criteria
as will insure that he is specifically gifted in and/or inclined to study the
particular college course of his preference;

(2)He must be of good health, excellent moral character, and
unquestionable integrity:

(3) He must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines: and


(4) Must have qualified for admission to the college or university as
well as to the course the scholar intended to enroll.

SECTION 5. The Commission on Higher Education, in consultation
with the Department of Science and Technology, shall provide an annual
listing of Science and Technology Courses that may be availed by scholars
and update the same in consideration of the country’s Science and Technology
requirements.

SECTION 6. In order to provide for an equitable allotment of slots for
scholarship grantees, the Scholarship under this Act shall be geared towards
enlisting more scholars from poor provinces of the Philippines.

SECTION 7. Any scholar who shall fail to finish his intended course
within the time he is expected to graduate or has shifted to courses not
otherwise provided in the CHED listing of eligible courses without justifiable
reasons as may be determined by CHED shall be liable to reimburse the
Government of all expenses and financial assistance received under this Act.

SECTION 8. In order to encourage graduates of the scholarship
program under this Act to work in his city/municipality, they shall be entitled
to the following incentives:

(1) Priority for job placement in the province where the grantee is a
resident or in any government agency desiring or requiring the graduate’s
educational competencies or in the private sector in positions appropriate to
his area of education or training;

(2) Access to government research facilities in the conduct of research
and development projects and other science and technology services; and

(3) Priority in government post-graduate scholarship grants locally and
abroad.

SECTION 9. For the purposes of this Act, the Commission on Higher
Education in coordination with the State Scholarship Council shall
implement this Act and shall exercise and perform the following specific
functions and duties:

(1) To screen and approve candidates for scholarships:

(2)To prescribe such tests and standards, which candidates for
scholarship shall attain and maintain as will insure that he will perform
excellently in the particular field of study of his choice;

(3) To determine the number of scholars:

(3) To help the qualified scholar in selecting the college or university in
which he wants to enroll;

(4) To approve or fix the different expenses which shall be provided to
individual scholars and authorize the payment thereof out of the fund
appropriated by law:


(5) To enter into contract/Memorandum of Agreement with the colleges
and universities where the recipients enrolled; and

(6) In general, to do such acts, adopt such measures, enter into such
arrangements, or issue such rules and regulations as may be proper for the
effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 10. The amount necessary for the effective implementation
of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations of the Commission on
Higher Education under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter,
such sum as may be provided for its operation shall be included in the
General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 11. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder or any provision hereof not affected thereby
shall remain in force and effect.

SECTION 12. All laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential
issuances and other administrative rules and regulations or parts thereof
which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. This Act shall take effect immediately after its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,