FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 936 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
One of the greatest paradoxes of our age is that physical assets have 
ceased to be the main sources of wealth. In its place, human creativity has 
become the source of economic growth, impelling leaps and bounds in 
technology and economic productivity. 
Human brainpower will be the strongest motive force behind Philippine 
economic development in the third millennium. In order to harness the country's 
intellectual resources, we need to put in place measures that will put an end to 
the brain drain and the migration of our brightest talents, and the non-
development of potentials due to poverty. 
This bill seeks to harness ~nd optimize our country's intellectual resources 
through the establishment of the "Advanced Studies Development Program". This 
program shall pool together all foreign and local public and private sponsorship 
intended for further education, enrichment and training of exceptionally able and 
highly motivated Filipinos employed in both the government and private sectors. 
The program will align sponsorships among priority areas identified to be 
critical to Philippine economic development, and provide incentives for the 
beneficiaries to put the skills and education acquired under training to the service 
of the Filipino nation. 
All parents know that education is the most important investment for the 
future, and the most valuable legacy to bequeath to one's children. We should 
therefore provide for measures to manage our country's investments in higher 
education, and to ensure that they be put to productive use for the welfare of the 
entire nation. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnest.~1 ~~~ 
EL "LITO" M. LAPID 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 936 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M.Lapid 
AN ACT 
10 
,JUL -8 file :39 
CREATING AN ADVANCED STUDIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR 
EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE 
pRIVATE SECTOR 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 bill shall be known as "Advanced 
Studies Development Program Act of 2010". 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policies. -
Human resources development is 
essential for economic development and progress. In pursuit of economic development 
and progress, the State shall give priority to the creation of a critical mass of elite 
professionals who shall take the lead in harnessing SCience, technology and related 
disciplines towards accelerating the productivity of the country's human resources. 
Consonant with this thrust, it is hereby declared a policy of the State to devise a 
program for exceptionally able and highly motivated employees, preferably age 30 - 45, 
from the government, the private sector and/or the self-employed to undertake 
advanced studies in a branch of science, technology, or related fields of learning on 
which depends the development and progress of the country. As such, it shall provide 
for fellowships to enable them to pursue advanced studies or research in their field of 
• 
expertise. 
The State shall develop a critical mass of first-rate specialists in various 
disciplines and areas of specialization vital to national development to form a collective 
national "think tank" who shall place continuously their knowledge and skills at the 
service of the nation, be it in industry, the academe or the highest policy-making levels 
of the government, with the government taking the lead in harnessing their knowledge 
and skills for the greatest good of the country. 
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SEC. 3. 
Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
are hereunder defined accordingly: 
a) 
Post-graduate - a formal degree course program or program of training/ 
research requiring at least a Master's Degree for entry; a student pursuing 
such program; 
b) 
Advanced studies - a post-graduate problem-oriented program of studies 
and/or research, not necessarily leading to a degree, undertaken for 
further specialization or advanced knowledge in a specific field of study, or 
to acquire specialized knowledge and/or skills in a particular area of 
science or technology; 
c) 
Pensionado - A Filipino citizen selected and supported by the Philippine 
government under this Program to undertake advanced studies in 
selected institutions of higher learning or recognized research centers, in 
fields relevant to the officially declared priority areas for development. 
SEC. 4. 
Establishment· of a Program. - There shall be established under 
the Commission on Higher Education, hereafter referred to as CHED, in coordination 
with the non-government organizations (NGOs) the private sector and other government 
agencies, namely the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST), and the Department of Education (DepEd) fellowship program to be called as 
the "Pensionado Program" for Filipinos employed in the government and the private 
sectors and those who are self-employed. 
The Program shall pool together all fellowships, scholarships, training grants 
sponsored or extended by foreign governments, agencies and other bodies, as well as 
by local agencies and organizations, whether public or private, intended for advanced 
studies in international centers of advanced learning, or scholarship and research. 
SEC. 5. 
Establishment of a National Secretariat; Functions and 
Composition. - There shall be established a National Secretariat, hereafter referred to 
as the Secretariat, with the following 'functions: 
1. 
To identify and assist in negotiations with sponsors (foreign and local, 
public and private) of fellowships, scholarships and grants; 
2. 
To provide assistance to the Selection Panel in accomplishing its work; 
3. 
To provide the Pension ados continuing assistance from the time of 
selection through the time of their return to the country, including 
assistance for the productive utilization of their newly gained expertise; 
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4. 
To serve as the administrative arm of the government for the Program; 
5. 
In general, to promulgate and implement the policies and guidelines 
governing the Program. 
The National Secretariat shall be headed by an Executive Officer, with the rank 
of Assistant Secretary, to be appointed by the President of the Republic of the 
Philippines upon the recommendation of the CHED. 
Members of the Secretariat shall consist of representatives from the National 
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED). These representatives shall be seconded to the Secretariat for a 
period of one (1) year, subject to renewal every year. Service rendered thereat shall be 
considered as service in their prospective agencies and shall also be considered as part 
of their performance for promotions purposes. 
SEC. 6. 
Number of Pensionados and Length of Grant - There shall be 
selected twenty-four (24) fellows annually - three (3) fellows for each priority disciplinel 
industry! field of the eight vital disciplines or areas of specialization identified by CHED 
in consultation with the NEDA as frontiers or new areas essential for pushing the 
economic and social development thrusts of the country. The scholarship shall be for 
one year only. 
SEC. 7. 
Selection Process. - There shall be a Selection Panel under the 
Secretariat consisting of three (3) university presidents and two (2) eminent members 
from the academe to be appointed by the CHED. They shall serve, on a staggered 
basis for purposes of continuity and consistency, each for a term of three (3) years. 
The Selection Panel shall make the final selection of the Pensionados from 
among the nominees from the academe, industry and research centers. The integrity 
and objectives of the Program are paramount considerations for the Panel 
in making the selection. 
SEC. 8. 
Qualifications. - In order to qualify for the Fellowship Program, the 
applicant must be: 
(a) 
A Filipino citizen; 
(b) 
Gainfully employed; 
(c) 
A college degree graduate, with honors; 
(d) 
With demonstrated leadership and proven exceptional performance in 
his/her present work; 
(e) 
Enthusiastic in undergoing further training 
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(f) 
Willing to sign a contract requiring him/her to return to his/her job or in 
another capacity after one (1) year of training 
SEC. 9. 
Place of Study. • The Pensionados shall be sent to a foreign 
country well-known for its advanced stage in a particular discipline or area of 
specialization. Training and education may be in an academic institution, research and 
development center (R&D) or a major industrial establishment with an R&D program. It 
mayor may not lead to an advanced degree. 
SEC. 10. 
Assistance to Grantees. • The Pensionado is entitled to the 
following benefits: 
(a) 
One (1) year leave with pay, including allowances and other benefits; 
(b) 
One (1) economy rourd trip air fare to and from the host country plus 
other travel expenses required for foreign travel; 
(c) 
Clothing allowance to be determined by the Secretariat; 
(d) 
Monthly stipend which on study abroad, of such amount to be determined 
by the Secretariat; 
(e) 
Books, Instructional Materials/Research allowance of such amount to be 
determined by the Secretariat. 
(f) 
Health, travel and insurance fees of such amount to be determined by the 
Secretariat. 
SEC. 11. 
Program Funding. . The cost of each fellowship grant shall be 
shared by the Pensionado's employer and the National Government. The employer 
pays the salary, allowances and other benefits due the Fellow as employed during one 
year period of advanced studies overseas while the National Government, thru the 
Program, shall be responsible for items Letter (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) as enumerated in 
Section 10 hereof. 
With the transfer of all pertinent foreign and local sponsored grants for 
coordination under the Program, the Government, thru the Program may negotiate 
bilateral arrangements with host governments, host universities, host research 
institutions and host corporations to share at least fifty percent (50%) of the total cost of 
items Letter (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) under Section 10 hereof. 
The National Government may also negotiate bilateral agreements with host 
governments, host universities, research institutions and corporations to enable our 
scholars to stay abroad and continue their studies or training at a minimal cost to the 
National Government. A sharing program can be established where the host 
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. government, host universities, research institutions and corporations can pick up a part 
of the expenses of the scholars while he/she is abroad. 
SEC. 12. 
Service Obligation. - Immediately upon completion of the studies 
or training, a Fellow shall be required to return to his/her job or in another capacity 
approved by the Secretariat and serve on a full-time basis for a minimum period 
equivalent to twice the period covered by the fellowship grant. In addition, the scholar 
shall be required to hold seminars or training sessions for employees from the 
government and the private sectors. on topics related to the course or training he!she 
has completed. 
Any recipient of the program who has not completed his!her course shall 
reimburse the Fellowship the grant received or render service to the sponsoring agency 
or company for a period equivalent to the period covered by the fellowship grant. 
, 
Any Pensionado who violates the service obligation imposed under this Section 
shall reimburse the sponsoring agency or company and the National Government of the 
fund assistance received under this Act in full or in part as the case may be. 
SEC. 13. 
Mechanisms for Utilization of Returned Fellows. - There shall 
be established and developed a National Network of Specialized Institutes for Advanced 
Studies in universities selected by CHED in consultation with the DOST and other 
appropriate agencies to be determined by the Secretariat to provide returned scholars 
an office, laboratory, library and conference facilities for their continuing scholarly work, 
research development and training activities. The Institute shall also serve as a place 
for an Exchange Program and Collaborative Research among local and international 
• 
scientists and scholars in priority areas of research and development. 
The National Government may, thru the CHED and!or the National Secretariat, 
negotiate bilateral agreements with foreign government, universities, research 
institutions and corporations, public and private to effect exchange of scholars and 
scientists for collaborative advanced studies, as well as to equip the Institute for 
purposes of benefit to the cause of scholarly or scientific advancement and national 
development. 
A sharing program may be established whereby the host government! university! 
institution! corporation can pick up part of the expenses of the Fellow in pursuit of 
his!her Fellowship. 
SEC. 14. 
Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial 
implementation if this Act shall be drawn from the savings of the National Government. 
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, . 
Thereafter, the funds necessary for the continuous implementation of the Program shall 
be included in the General Appropriations Act. 
The Program shall receive two-tents percent (0.2%) from the share of the DOST 
and one percent (1 %) from the share of the Philippine Youth Commission in the Bases 
Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) proceeds. 
SEC. 15. 
Transfer of Other Fellowship, Scholarship and Training Grants. 
-
All foreign and locally sponsored fellowship, scholarship and training grants will be 
transferred to the Program for coordination. With respect to government employees who 
• 
may be affected by the transfer, the pertinent rules and regulations of the Civil Service 
Commission (CSC) shall apply. 
SEC. 16. 
Rules and Regulations. • Within ninety (90) days from the 
approval of this Act, the Secretariat shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions thereof. 
SEC. 17. 
Repealing Clause. -
All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations or portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SEC. 18. 
Separability Clause. - In the even any of the provisions of this Act 
is declared unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected by 
such declaration. 
, 
SEC. 19. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved, 
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