Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 10323 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
 EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
The 1987 Constitution mandates the State to support education through 
appropriate technology and research, adequate financial, production, marketing, 
and other support services. 
According to RA8545 it is a declared policy of the State, in conformity with the 
mandate of the Constitution, to promote and make quality education accessible 
to all Filipino citizens. 
The State also hereby recognizes the complementary roles of public and private 
educational institutions in the educational system and the invaluable 
contribution that the private schools have made and will make to education. 
May 6, 2024
10:45 am


This House Bill seeks to provide the mechanisms to improve quality in private 
education by maximizing the use of existing resources of private education, 
recognizing in the process the government responsibility to provide basic 
elementary and secondary education as having priority over its function to 
provide for higher education. 
This House Bill seeks to provide government assistance to students and 
teachers in private education. 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO Ph.D.   


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 10323 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    AN ACT 
PROVIDING GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS AND 
TEACHERS IN PRIVATE EDUCATION, ESTABLISHING A FUND 
FOR SUBSIDIZING SALARIES OF PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 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 Government 
Assistance fund to Students and Teachers in the Private Education sector 
Act of 2024. 
SECTION 
2. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY — It shall hereby be a declared 
policy of the State in agreement with the mandate of the Constitution, to promote 
and make quality education accessible to all Filipino citizens. 
The State shall also hereby recognize the corresponding roles of public and 
private educational institutions in the educational system and the invaluable 
contribution that the private schools have made and will make to education. 


the State shall provide the mechanisms to improve quality in private education 
by maximizing the use of existing resources of private education, recognizing in 
the process the government’s responsibility to provide basic elementary and 
secondary education, post-secondary vocational and technical education and 
higher education as having priority over its other functions. 
SECTION 
3. 
CRITERIA FOR ASSISTANCE — The programs for assistance 
shall be based on a set of criteria which shall include, among others, tuition fees 
charged by the schools, the socioeconomic needs of each region giving priority to 
the Social Reform Agenda (SRA), overall performance of the schools, the 
academic qualifications and the financial needs of the students and the teachers 
and the financial needs of the schools, as well as the geographic spread and size 
of student population. 
In addition to the previous criteria, within such reasonable time as the respective 
National Assistance Council may determine, student grantees under the 
Private Education Student Financial Assistance Program shall be enrolled in 
schools which have accredited programs or are applying for accreditation as may 
be recognized by the respective National Assistance Council. 
Preference shall be given to students whose family income is not more than Two 
hundred Fifty thousand pesos (P250,000.00) or such amounts as may be 
determined by the respective councils, as defined hereinafter. 
For purposes of this Act, programs of assistance to students and teachers of 
private post-secondary vocational and technical institutions and higher 
educational institutions shall likewise be extended to students and teachers at 
community colleges in degree and non-degree programs. 
Implementation of the program shall encourage students to undergo post-
secondary vocational and technical and higher education courses in the same 
region where their families reside. 


The programs of assistance under this Act shall be extended only to students 
who are citizens of the Philippines. 
SECTION 
4. 
The National Assistance Council, the Department of 
Education (DEPED), the CHED and the TESDA shall formulate measurement 
standards for the evaluation of the quality of courses as well as the standing and 
status of the recipient institutions. 
Within two (2) years from the approval of this Act, the assistance shall be given 
to schools:  
Provided, That the present allocation of the tuition fee and other income of the 
schools shall be used at the same proportion and allocation as provided by law. 
SECTION 
5. 
Forms of Assistance. — Assistance to private education shall 
consist of assistance to students and assistance to teachers. 
The following are forms of assistance to students in private education: 
(1) Tuition fee supplements for students in private high schools, 
including students in vocational and technical courses; 
(2) High School Textbook Assistance Fund:  
Provided, That the textbook assistance per student in private high 
schools shall be determined by the council and shall not exceed 
what students in public high schools are provided on a per student 
basis under a comprehensive textbook program of the Secondary 
Education Development Program (SEDP):  
Provided, further, That the textbook assistance shall be granted only 
to beneficiaries of tuition fee supplements and educational service 
contracting scheme provided in this Act; 
(3) Expansion of the existing Educational Service Contracting (ESC) 
Scheme; 


(4) The voucher system of the Private Education Student Financial 
Assistance Program (PESFA); 
(5) Scholarship grants to students graduating as valedictorians and 
salutatorians from secondary schools; 
(6) Tuition fee supplements to students in private colleges and 
universities; and 
(7)  Education Loan Fund. 
The following are forms of assistance to teachers and faculty in 
private education: 
(1) In-service training fund for teachers in private high schools; and 
(2) College Faculty Development Fund. 
 
SECTION 
6. 
Tuition Fee Supplements for Students in Private High 
Schools: 
(1) Financial Assistance for tuition for students in private high 
schools shall be provided by the government through a voucher 
system in the following manner: 
“(a) For students enrolled in schools charging an amount as may be 
determined by the State Assistance Council, the government shall 
provide them with a voucher in such an amount as may be 
determined by the council:  
Provided, That the government shall reimburse the vouchers from 
the schools concerned within one hundred twenty (120) days from 
the close of the registration period. 
“(2) Assistance under paragraph (1), subparagraph (a) shall be 
guaranteed to all private high schools participating in the program 
for a number of slots as of the effectivity of this Act as the total 
number of students who availed of tuition fee supplements for 
school year 2024-2025:  


Provided, That the State Assistance Council may in subsequent 
years determine additional slots and/or additional participating 
high schools as may be deemed necessary. 
SECTION 
7. 
High School Textbook Assistance Fund — There shall be 
established in the Department of Education, a High School Textbook Assistance 
Fund, so that assistance on a per student basis shall be given to students 
enrolled in private schools exclusively for the purchase of high school textbooks, 
in support of the implementation of the Secondary Education Development 
Program: Provided, That the textbook assistance per student in private high 
schools shall be determined by the council and shall not exceed what students 
in public high schools are provided on a per student basis: Provided, further, 
That the textbook assistance shall be granted only to beneficiaries of tuition fee 
supplements and educational service contracting scheme provided in this Act. 
SECTION 
8. 
Expansion 
of 
the 
Existing 
Educational 
Service 
Contracting (ESC) Scheme:  
(a) The Department of Education shall continue to enter into 
contracts with private schools whereby the government shall 
shoulder the tuition and other fees of high school students who shall 
enroll in private high schools under this program. 
(b) The Department shall also enter into contracts with private 
schools in communities where there are no public high schools, in 
which case the Department shall shoulder the tuition and other fees 
of students who shall enroll in said private schools. 
(c) The amount of assistance to be given by the government under 
this section shall not exceed that determined as the per student cost 
in public high schools. 
(d) The Department shall fully pay the subsidized amount to 
participating schools not later than one hundred eighty (180) days 
from the close of the registration period. 


(e) The amount of assistance shall be allocated and distributed 
among the eighteen (18) regions in proportion to the total population 
as well as the high school age population for the first school year:  
Provided, That starting school year 2024-2025, an equalization 
scheme shall be implemented by the State Assistance Council. 
(f) The amount of assistance to private high schools participating in 
the program shall be guaranteed for a number of slots as of the 
effectivity of this Act as the number of students availing of 
educational service contracting assistance for school year 2024-
2025:  
Provided, That the State Assistance Council may, in subsequent 
years determine additional slots and/or additional participating 
private high schools as may be deemed necessary. 
 
SECTION 
9. 
Assistance to College Freshmen. 
(a) The Voucher System of Private Education Student Financial 
Assistance (PESFA) Program. The existing Private Education 
Student Financial Assistance (PESFA) Program which covers 
degree and non-degree vocational/technical courses shall be 
expanded so that all qualified enrolling first year students can 
benefit from a scholarship, plus an allowance. Such financial 
assistance shall be granted to deserving underprivileged 
students, who shall be selected on the basis of family income, 
geographic spread, results of competitive examinations to be 
given by the CHED for degree courses and the TESDA for non-
degree vocational/technical courses in all secondary schools in 
coordination with the DEPED.  
(b) The program shall be equitably allocated to provinces and cities 
in accordance with regional and national plans to priority 
courses as determined by the CHED and the TESDA. 


For purposes of this Act, an underprivileged student shall refer to a 
student whose gross income, if any, and that of the combined 
annual gross income of his/her parents is not more than Two 
hundred fifty thousand pesos (P250,000.00). 
(b) Tuition Waiver. Private post-secondary vocational and technical 
institutions and higher educational institutions shall provide for full 
or half tuition waivers for five percent (5%) of the entering freshmen, 
which shall include among others, valedictorians and salutatorians 
of both public high schools and private high schools: Provided, that 
those valedictorians and salutatorians meet admission tests of the 
schools concerned. 
(c) Allowance for Valedictorians. Subject to rules and regulations 
as may be promulgated by the State Assistance Council, 
valedictorians referred to under subparagraph (b) above, may, in 
addition to tuition waivers granted by the school concerned, be 
entitled to such allowances from the government as are provided to 
PESFA grantees, provided they shall enroll in priority courses. 
(d) Allowance for other Honorees. In case the graduating class is 
composed of more than two hundred and fifty (250) students, all 
salutatorians and first honorable mention graduates thereof may 
also be entitled to the allowance granted to valedictorians under the 
preceding paragraph. 
SECTION 
10. 
Further Assistance to Students in Private Colleges and 
Universities. — Tuition fee supplements for students of private post-secondary 
vocational and technical institutions and higher educational institutions 
enrolled in priority course programs determined by the TESDA and the CHED 
shall be provided by the government through a voucher system in the following 
manner: 


For students in priority programs in schools charging an effective per unit tuition 
rate of such amount as may be determined by the State Assistance Council, the 
government shall provide the student with a voucher for the amount of tuition 
fee supplement determined by the State Assistance Council. 
Government assistance and tuition increases shall be governed by the same 
conditions as provided under prevailing laws. 
SECTION 
11. 
Education Loan Fund  
(a) ‘Study Now, Pay Later Plan.’ There is hereby created a special 
fund to be known as the Students’ Loan Fund to be administered by 
the CHED and the TESDA or upon delegation by the CHED by the 
Student Loan Fund Authority created under Republic Act No. 
6014 which is hereby reinstituted pursuant to the terms of the same 
Republic Act which shall be used to finance educational loans to 
cover matriculation and other school fees and educational expenses 
for book subsistence, and board and lodging. 
(b) Amounts covering payments for tuition and other school fees 
shall be paid directly to the school concerned. 
(c) Any loan granted under this section shall be paid by the student-
debtor after he has finished the course or profession for which the 
proceeds of the loan was expended, but only after a period of two (2) 
years from the time he has acquired an employment: Provided, 
however, That interest at the rate of not more than six percent (6%) 
per annum shall accrue on the balance thereof. 
(d) Social Security Fund. The Social Security System shall make 
available low interest educational loans to its members and to 
private educational institutions for school buildings and/or 
improvement of their plants and facilities. 


SECTION 
12. 
The right of any student to avail himself/herself of the 
benefits - under this Act shall not apply if he/she fails for one (1) school year in 
the majority of the academic subjects in which he/she has enrolled during the 
course of his/her study unless such failure is due to some valid cause beyond 
his/her control. 
SECTION 
13. 
 In-service Training Fund (Inset Fund) — For the purpose 
of improving the quality of teaching in private secondary education, there is 
hereby established in the Department of Education (DEPED) an Inset Fund to 
provide for the upgrading of knowledge and teaching competencies in critical 
subject areas and for the modernization of teaching techniques and strategies, 
including training in the use of computers and of other multi-media educational 
technologies to assist instruction:  
Provided, That the Inset Fund shall be available only to qualified licensed 
teachers in participating private high schools as determined by the State 
Assistance Council:  
Provided, further, That the amount of Inset Fund available to private secondary 
education shall not exceed that available to public secondary education on a per 
capita basis. 
SECTION 
14. 
College Faculty Development Fund. — For the purpose of 
improving the quality of teaching in private post-secondary vocational and 
technical institutions and higher educational institutions, there is hereby 
established in the TESDA and the CHED, a College Faculty Development Fund 
to provide for scholarships for graduate degree, degree and non-degree 
workshops or seminars for faculty members in private post-secondary vocational 
and technical institutions and higher educational institutions:  
Provided, that faculty member recipients of such scholarships shall serve as 
many numbers of years return service for every year of scholarship availed of as 


may be determined by the State Assistance Council in conformity with prevailing 
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) policies on return 
service of government scholars. The scholarship shall be in priority courses as 
determined by the TESDA and the CHED and cannot be awarded to promote or 
inhibit sectarian purposes. 
SECTION 
15. 
 Teachers Salary Subsidy Fund — A Teachers Salary 
Subsidy Fund is hereby established in the DEPED to grant government subsidy 
to teachers in private high schools participating in the programs of assistance 
provided in this Act:  
Provided, That the total monthly salary which includes the subsidy to be received 
by such private high school teachers shall not be more than eighty percent (80%) 
of the salary of his counterpart in the public sector: Provided, further, That the 
amount of monthly subsidy shall not exceed the amount of any monthly salary 
increase that teachers in public high schools shall after the effectivity of this Act 
hereinafter receive:  
Provided, That private high school teachers qualified to receive subsidy under 
this Act are duly licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC):  
Provided, further, That the government shall provide them with a voucher for the 
salary subsidy which shall be reimbursed directly to the teachers within sixty 
(60) days after the close of the school year upon submission of proof of 
qualification and actual teaching service in a participating private high school: 
Provided, further, That the present allocation out of increases from tuition and 
other income shall be maintained:  
Provided, finally, that in case of insufficiency of funds, priority shall be given to 
married teachers supporting a family. 
SECTION 
16. 
Program Administration/Rules and Regulations. — The 
State Assistance Council shall be responsible for policy guidance and direction, 


monitoring and evaluation of new and existing programs, and the promulgation 
of the rules and regulations, while the Department of Education, the TESDA and 
the CHED shall be responsible for the day-to-day administration and program 
implementation for the programs of assistance to private secondary education, 
post-secondary vocational and technical education and higher education, 
respectively. Likewise, it may engage the services and support of any qualified 
government or private entity for its implementation. 
The State Assistance Council, hereinafter known as the Council, shall be 
headed by the Secretary of Education, as chairperson, the chairperson of the 
CHED and the director-general of the TESDA as co-chairpersons, with 
representatives from the National Economic and Development Authority, the 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) , the Department of Science and 
Technology (DOST) and representatives from duly organized nationwide 
associations of teachers, students, parents, and school administrators 
concerned with secondary, post-secondary vocational and technical education 
and higher education as members.  
The last three (3) members shall be appointed by the Council upon the 
recommendation of their respective sectors for a term of one (1) school year 
subject to re-appointment for a maximum term of four (4) school years. A 
representative each from the Committees on Education of both Houses of 
Congress shall be designated resource persons to the Council. 
The Council shall meet, from time to time, as the need arises, to assess the 
effectivity of the programs and to ensure that the secondary schools, post-
secondary vocational and technical institutions, and higher educational 
institutions where student recipients are enrolled continue to provide quality 
education. For this purpose, the Council shall establish criteria, to determine 
which secondary schools, post-secondary vocational and technical institutions 
and higher educational institutions may continue to enroll students and 
teachers/faculty as recipients of government assistance under this Act. 


SECTION 
17. Appropriations. — The amount needed to implement these 
programs shall be provided for in the annual General Appropriations Act for the 
year 2024 The appropriation of Ten billion pesos (P10,000,000,000.00) 
already appropriated under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2024 shall 
be used for this purpose. 
All funds appropriated for this purpose shall be constituted as a trust fund to be 
administered by the State Assistance Council, which shall be directly and 
automatically released to the different regional offices of the DEPED. 
SECTION 
 18. Penalties and Sanctions — In case of violations of the 
provisions of this Act or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto 
by the institution, the Department of Education, the TESDA and the CHED, 
upon the recommendation of the Council, may bar the institution from 
participating in or benefiting from the programs of this Act, and from other 
programs of the Department, without prejudice to administrative and criminal 
charges as may be filed against the school and/or its responsible officers under 
existing laws. 
SECTION 
19. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
20. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 21. 
SUPERVISING AND ASSESSMENT CONCERNS. — the 
department of Education (DEPED) shall provide the necessary technical and 
financial assistance to ensure effective operations and integration. 


SECTION 22. 
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY. — the Department of Education 
(DEPED). 
SECTION 
23. 
PROGRESS 
REPORT 
– The 
Secretary 
of 
the 
department of Education (DEPED) shall prepare an annual report on the status 
of the implementation of the Government Assistance Programs which shall be 
submitted, to the Office of the President and to the Chairpersons of the 
Committee on Economic Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
SECTION 
24. 
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL. – The department of 
Education (DEPED) shall maintain a sufficient staffing pattern. Hence, it is 
authorized to increase its manpower to meet such required and may continue to 
increase personnel per percentage rate increase of committed mandates 
annually or as the need arises. 
SECTION 
25. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of three (3) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the department of Education (DEPED) shall continue to 
develop, modernize and constantly update its operational capabilities to keep 
pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 26. 
PERIODIC REPORTS - The Secretary of the 
department of Education (DEPED) shall submit periodic reports on its 
findings and make recommendations on actions to be taken by both Congress 
and Senate and the appropriate departments, in order to carry out the 
objectives and mandates of this Act. 


SECTION 27. 
AUTOMATIC REVIEW - Every three (3) years after the 
effectivity of this Act, an independent review panel composed of experts to be 
appointed by the President of the Republic shall review the policies and 
programs in the defense and security sector and shall make recommendations, 
based on its findings, to the President and to both Houses of Congress. 
SECTION 
28. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
29. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
30. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,