Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 3949

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ABIGAIL FAYE C. FERRIOL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution provides that:

The 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.

One of the ways outlined in order to achieve universal access to quality education is
found in Article XIV, Section 2(3) of the Constitution. It provides that the State shall:

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;

This measure aims to help increase access to quality education. In doing so, there will
be several results. First is the creation of incentives to outstanding graduates from the public
school system by offering scholarship grants to them. Through the grants, these top graduates
will truly have a choice in terms their academic path. A private education, which previously was
beyond their reach, will now be within reach. By virtue of their academic achievements in their
elementary education, investing in their future would certainly be worthwhile. Lastly, by making
secondary private education more accessible to the top graduates of the elementary public
schools, we are also able to help decongest the public secondary schools.

Recent data would show that the capacity of private secondary schools is not yet fully
utilized. These schools could be tapped to help decongest the public secondary schools. In
school year 2008-2009, for example, there are 5,359 public secondary schools in contrast to
4,707 private secondary schools. It is important to note though that public schools account for
majority of the secondary enrolment figures - 5,421,562 out of 6,763,858. These figures are
largely the same if we look back to school year 2004-2005.

With the perennial problems like school building shortage and overcrowding in
classrooms besetting our public schools, the national government could tap the private sector
as a partner in improving the quality of education in the country. Even this solution is not a novel
one for it is based in the recognition of the role of the private educational system. Article XIV,
Section 4(1) of the Constitution provides:


The State recognizes the complementary roles of public and private
institutions in the educational system and shall exercise reasonable supervision
and regulation of all educational institutions.

ABIGAIL FAYE C. FERRIOL
Representative
Kalinga Party list


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3949

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ABIGAIL FAYE C. FERRIOL

AN ACT GRANTING HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP TO THE TOP 10 STUDENTS WHO
GRADUATED FROM PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Top 10 Public Elementary
School Graduates Scholarship Grant Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It shall be the policy of the State to establish and
maintain a system of scholarship grants, subsidies and other incentives which shall be available
to deserving students in public elementary schools. Having achieved excellence in their studies,
these underprivileged students will be offered the opportunity to continue their education in the
private educational system. Toward this end, the State shall provide financial assistance to
Qualified graduates from public elementary schools in the country.

SEC. 3. Coverage. - The scholarship grant shall be offered to the top 10 graduating
students of each graduating class of all public elementary schools throughout the Philippines.
The grant shall be extended only to students who are citizens of the Philippines.

SEC. 4. Applicable Schools. — The scholarship grant shall be applicable in private
schools in the country. The Department of Education shall formulate the guidelines and criteria
in the selection and accreditation of private schools where the scholarship grant can be used.

SEC. §. Scholarship Grant. — The scholarship grant for qualified public elementary
‘school graduates shall cover the four years of high school education in a private school.

The national goverment shall grant a scholarship equivalent to the full tuition and other
matriculation fees of the school to the valedictorians and salutatorians of their respective
graduating class. For the students who will place 3rd to Sth of their graduating class, a
scholarship equivalent to 75% of the tuition and other matriculation fees of the chosen school
will be given. For those who will finish 6th to 10th, a scholarship equivalent to 50% of the tuition
and other matriculation fees of the chosen school will be given.

SEC. 6. Forfeiture of Grant. — The scholarship grant shall be forfeited upon the
following grounds:


a. If the student incurs a failing mark in any academic subject

b. If the student drops out in the middle of the school year

c. If the student is suspended for more than 2 weeks, dismissed or expelled by the
school for disciplinary violations

SEC. 7. Funding. — The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this Act
shall be charged to the appropriations for the CHED under the current General Appropriations
‘Act (GAA). Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this
‘Act shall be included in the annual GAA.

SEC 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education shall
shall promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Act
within a period of three (3) months from the approval hereof.

SEC 9. Separability Clause. ~ If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is
declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions thereof which are not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect thirty (15) days after its
‘complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,