Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 3050

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS TO DESERVING
NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, PROVIDING FUNDS FOR
THIS PURPOSE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In Philippine society, we put a premium on education since it gives our people,
especially the youth, the opportunity to improve their lives. We consider a good
education a passport to success in the future. And because we value education so
much, it has propelled the country to become Asia's most literate nation

Through education, we empower our people and this is exactly what this bill
proposes to do by institutionalizing and strengthening an existing program for free
education to deserving government employees both national and local. This is also
consistent with the provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which states that:

"The Civil Service Commission, as the central personnel agency of the
Government, shall establish a career service and adopt measures to promote morale,
efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness, and courtesy in the civil service.
It shall strengthen the merit and rewards system, integrate all human resources
development programs for all levels and ranks, and institutionalize a management
climate conducive to public accountability xxx." (Art. E-B, Sec. 3).

Since the Government is the largest employer in this country, it is only proper
that it is able to provide a mechanism of continuing education to strengthen its

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workforce together with a competitive compensation package to be able to be at par
with their private sector counterparts. This is to prevent brilliant human resources and
talented fresh graduates from shying away from government service.

This bill is being introduced as a humble attempt to professionalize the
government sector further. It provides the grant of scholarships in the skill and training
level, as well in courses leading to an academic title and graduate school programs to
deserving government employees. Likewise, it presents an advantage for government
as it concentrates on core areas of studies which may be the demand of the future
Hence, we expect an outstanding government bureaucracy in the years to come.

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

DIOSDADO MACAI AL ARROYO en en ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3050

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS TO DESERVING
NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, PROVIDING FUNDS FOR
THIS PURPOSE 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 "Tulong Aral sa
Kinabukasan Act of 2013."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is declared a policy of the State to
promote morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness and courtesy in
the civil service; to institutionalize a merit and reward system in the form of free
education or scholarship grant to deserving civil servants; to integrate scholarship
programs towards human resources development in the government; and to establish a
management climate where potentials are tapped and utilized to the fullest and the best
virtues harnessed and instilled in the minds of every proud government personnel

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following shall mean:
a. "Tulong Aral sa Kinabukasan” shall refer to the government-sponsored

program under this Act providing free education or scholarship grants to
deserving employees of the national and local governments.


b. "Short-term training grants" shall refer to the government assistance under this
Act for scholarship or training programs of not more than six (6) month duration
in upgrading of skills of government employees in clerical, trade, crafts, custodial
and related services.

c. "Baccalaureate degree grants” shall refer to government assistance under this
Act for scholarship programs consisting in four-or five-year continuous studies
leading to an academic title or course diploma.

d. "Graduate school grants” shall refer to government assistance under this Act
for scholarship programs in specialized field of study in post graduate level where
a baccalaureate degree and training experience is a pre-requisite.

SECTION 4. The Scholarship Program. — There is hereby adopted the "Tulong
Aral sa Kinabukasan” program, a nationwide scholarship program offering free
education or scholarship grant to all government employees in the national and local
government levels who want to pursue short-term training, baccalaureate degree
courses, and/or graduate school training and education programs in accordance with
the requirements under this Act.

For this purpose, the existing Local Scholarship Program (LSP) and the Local
Scholarship Program for Skilled Workers in Government (LSPSWG) being undertaken
and handled by the Civil Service Commission shall be incorporated into the "Tulong Aral
sa Kinabukasan" program under this Act.

SECTION 5. Scholarship Grant Thrusts. — The Civil Service Commission (CSC),
in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED), shall formulate the core areas of studies for the training,
education or scholarship grants covered under this Act, including, but not limited to the
sciences, fiscal management and public finance, economics, the technical,
technological, entrepreneurial fields and other similar areas which are geared towards
technology development and modern governance and management approaches.

SECTION 6. Selection Procedure. - Employees in the national and local
governments who possess the following qualifications shall be eligible under the
scholarship program:

a. A permanent or temporary appointment at the time of filing;

b. An aggregate of at two (2) years work experience in government;

c. A performance rating of at least 'Satisfactory’ for the last two (2)

d. Not more than forty-five (45) years old as of last birthday;

e. Good health; and


f. Absence of pending administrative case:

Provided, That in the case of the graduate school grants, following additional
requirements shall also be imposed

a. Abachelor's degree from a college or university of good standing;
b. Absence of a masteral degree; and

c. Non-availment of any foreign/local scholarship grant from the government in
the past two (2) years prior to the school year the employee will study:

Provided, further, That a written or oral examination may be administered by the
Civil Service Commission or through a Screening and Selection Committee to be
chaired by the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, with the Secretaries of the
Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Science and Technology, the
Department of Interior and Local Government and the Chairman of the Commission on
Higher Education, or their representatives, with the rank of at least an Assistant
Secretary, as members.

SECTION 7. Private Sector Initiative. - The private sector is encouraged to align
their existing free education or scholarship programs with the program envisioned under
this Act.

Contributions to the fund supporting the scholarship program under this Act shall
be deductible from the annual taxable income to the extent of twenty percent (20%)
thereof in the case of individual taxpayers and one hundred twenty percent (120%)
thereof in the case of corporations, firms or entities, or such contributions may be
considered as an input value-added tax, at the election of the contributor.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The CSC, in
coordination with the DepEd and CHED, shall formulate the necessary rules and
tegulations for the implementation of this Act and the determination of courses covered
under the program, as well as the application procedure, the nomination process, if any,
responsibilities of the grantee; additional benefits; and other matters

SECTION 9. Funding Source. - The sources of funds for the implementation of
this Act shalll be as follows:

a. For its first year of implementation, the appropriations set aside for the Local
Scholarship Program and Local Scholarship Program for Skill Workers in all
offices of the Government.


b. For the succeeding years of implementation, such amounts as are needed
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and complemented by
the savings generated from the different bureaus, offices and agencies and by
contributions extended by private corporation, companies and entities.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is
declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,