08 AUG 2013
Republic of the Philippines ire
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lo An
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2351

House Bill No,

Introduced by Representative Alfredo D. Vargas III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As a matter of policy, the State recognizes the role of the youth in nation-building
and shall promote and protect their intellectual and social well-being, among others.
Also, the State declares that it “shall give priority to education, science and
technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate
social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.” (Sections 13
and 17, Article Il of the 1987 Constitution)

In the recent times, more young people do not have access to education, As a result,
these out-of-school youth are exposed to various social perils, to include but not
limited to substance abuse and criminality. By granting them scholarships and
financial assistance, we are giving the youth of today more reasons to invest their
time, effort and resources in education and ensure that they become productive
citizens of the country in the near future.

‘The Philippine educational system is tri-focal: basic education, technical/vocational
education, and tertiary education. Alongside our strengthened basic and
technical/vocational education, we also want our higher education sector to be
equally equipped and competitive.

Philippine statistics shows that only around eight percent (8%) of high school
graduates proceed to college. This is due to the families’ incapacity to support and
finance the education of the students.

This bill seeks to provide opportunities for the underprivileged students to pursue
their tertiary education.

For this reason, we seek the speedy approval of this bill.

ALPRED@ D. VARGAS III


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._2352

Introduced by Representative Alfredo D. Vargas III

AN ACT
GRANTING MANDATORY SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO
QUALIFIED INDIGENT STUDENTS COMPRISING AT LEAST FIVE PERCENT (5%)
OF THE STUDENT POPULATION IN THE DIFFERENT COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

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

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as “Tertiary Education for
the Poor Act of 2013."

TION 2. Declaration of Policy - Pursuant to Article XIV, Section 1 of the
Constitution “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.” In addition, Paragraph 3, Section 2 of said Article directs the State
to 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 3. Purpose - Consistent with these Constitutional mandates, this
Act aims to:

a). Institutionalize a mechanism that ensures the mandatory grant of full
scholarships and financial assistance to deserving students; and

b). Encourage students, particularly the poor and underprivileged, to pursue
quality tertiary education, secure their future, and make them responsible
citizens.

SECTION 4, Coverage - This Act shall cover all institutions, both public and
private, offering associates and baccalaureate degrees. The total number of
beneficiaries shall be at least five percent (5%) of the student population as of the
preceding semester or term.


SECTION 5. Nature and Extent of the Grants and Assistance ~ Scholarship
grants shall be in the form of free (100% discount) matriculation. The number of
beneficiaries with free matriculation should at least be twenty percent (20%) of the
required total number of beneficiaries per school.

Other financial assistance shall be granted in the form of matriculation fee
discounts, starting at a minimum of ten percent (10%) to a maximum of ninety
percent (90%), to be determined by the screening committee of each college or
university.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Chairperson of the
Commission on Higher Education, in consultation with the accredited associations of
universities and colleges, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations, including
fines and penalties for non-compliance, for the prompt and effective implementation
of this Act.

SECTION 7. Monitoring and Evaluation - The Commission on Higher
Education shall require all schools to submit a detailed annual report relative to the
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause - All provisions of laws, decrees, orders,
including rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause - If any portion or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not
affected thereby shall remain in full force and in effect.

SECTION 10, Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
following its publication in the Official Gazette and at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,