CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES _)
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No.__289'7

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MARK A. VILLAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 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. (Section 1, Article XIV) Further, it states that
“The State shall 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 underprivileged.” (Section
2 paragraph 2)

While there are existing scholarship programs for the specially gifted students, a
study grant for members of the National Cultural Communities, and the CHED
Scholarship Program, these programs provide only limited slots

To date, there is no ambitious government program that takes care of the mass
of secondary level graduates who want to pursue higher education, but fail to do so due
to poverty or financial difficulties

For this reason, this Bill on Student Financial Assistance Program is introduced
to provide educational assistance to secondary graduates who, because of poverty or
financial difficulties, could not pursue higher education, This educational assistance
program is designated for students of financially-disadvantaged families and is intended
more as an economic aid rather than a merit award.

In view of the foregoing, the early approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Dw, A. VILLAR


CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House BillNo. __ 2897

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MARK A. VILLAR

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR
STUDENTS OF ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES AND
AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE.

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established a student financial assistance program
in the collegiate level for poor but deserving students to be administered by an
appropriate body to be determined by the Commission on Higher Education.

SECTION 2. The term “economically disadvantaged but deserving students" who
are qualified under this program shall mean those students of underprivileged families
falling below the poverty line, as determined by the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA), who are able and willing to continue and finish a
degree course,

SECTION 3. The beneficiaries under this program shall be entitled to a
reasonable monthly stipend depending on costs of living in a particular educational
institution, free tuition, book allowance and other miscellaneous fees to be determined
by the administering agency.

SECTION 4, The sum of One Billion Pesos (Php1,000,000,000.00) is hereby
authorized to be appropriated initially from the General Appropriations Act of the year
following the enactment of this law. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the
continued implementation of the Program shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act

SECTION 5. The Commission on Higher Education, in consultation with the
Department of Education (DepEd), is hereby authorized to formulate the rules and
regulations to implement this Act.


SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,