Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 8704

Introduced by
HON. YEDDA MARIE K, ROMUALDEZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines provides that “the State shall
protect and promote the rights of all citizens to quality education at all levels
and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all”
(Article XVI, Section 3). The right to education, therefore, does not
discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender and socio-economic status,
including age. Many Filipinos, who for lack of financial resources or other
pressing circumstances, have to put off their college education until their
senior years.

With the adoption of Republic Act 9994, otherwise known as the
Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, Filipino senior citizens are recognized
as an integral part of Filipino society. Therefore, they are assured with full
assistance and support from the State in order to realize the improvement of
their total well being, motivate them to contribute to nation building, and foster
their capacity to attain a more meaningful and productive ageing

Providing scholarships for qualified indigent senior citizens will
maximize their contribution to nation building and provide access and equity to
quality education among financially disadvantaged but academically
deserving students. This scholarship program will enable them to pursue and
complete their post-secondary or tertiary education and thus affirm their full
participation in Filipino society.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of a bill |p earnestly sought.

Vf,
\ he
Rep. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
Representative, First District of Leyte


wawaneunr

11
12
23.
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35,
36
37
38
39

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3704

House Bill No.

Introduced by
HON. YEDDA MARIE K, ROMUALDEZ

AN ACT GRANTING FULL SCHOLARSHIPS TO INDIGENT SENIOR
CITIZENS ENROLLED IN STATE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITIES, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Senior Citizen
Scholarship Act of 2016”.

Section 2, Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to provide elderly citizens with full assistance support to the
improvement of their total well-being, motivate them to contribute to nation
building, and foster their capacity to attain a more meaningful and productive
ageing, in full recognition that senior citizens are integral part of Filipino

society.

To this end, a four-year college scholarship grant shall be provided to
qualified indigent senior citizens, who have not yet attained a college degree
and have satisfied the requirements for admission in a state college or
university, to enable them to pursue and complete their post-secondary or

tertiary education and thus affirm their full participation in Filipino society.


Caran ene

it
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27

grants are hereby automatically granted in the form of free tuition, to the
extent feasible, to any senior citizen who intends to pursue post-secondary or
tertiary education in a state college or university: Provided, That the enrolled
student must be at least sixty (60) years old: Provided further, That the
enrolled senior citizen shall meet the minimum requirements for admission:
Provided furthermore, That he or she must not yet completed any four-year
undergraduate program: Provided finally, That he or she must present a proof
of indigency issued by the Municipal Social Welfare Office or Office of Senior
Citizen Affairs.

Section 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Commission on Higher Education shall

promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations for the effective

implementation of this Act.

Section 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders,
tules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the

provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 7. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act is
held unconstitutionat or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not

affected shall continue to remain in full force and effect.

Section 8. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
following completion of its publication in the Official Gazette and in at least two
(2) newspapers of general circulation.