Republic of the Philippines
Housr Or REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOU No. 5139

2 BIL

Introduced by Evelina G, Escudero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks t6 rationalize the distribution of government grants,
scholarships and similar programs, amending for the purpose Republic Act
(RA) No. 7722, otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994.”

Section 2 of RA 7722 states, among others, that:

The State shall protect, foster 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. The State shall
likewise ensure and protect academic freedom and shall promote
its exercise and observance for the continuing intellectual growth
and the auvancement of learning and research.

The Commission on Higher Education governs both public and private
institutions of higher education as well as degree-granting programs in all post-
secondary educational institutions, public and private. A grant or scholarship is
given to students based on academic excellence, talent and other factors such as
ethnic backgrounds, field of study and financial need. It is given to help
promising students gain access to higher levels of education. There are many
private and government agent that provide scholarships and grants. Students
tend to avail of all the possible scholarships and grants they can qualify.
Sometimes they can get a combination of scholarships, grants, loans, aids and
fellowships. In effect, other equally deserving students are denied the
opportunity to avail of the grant or scholarship already given. This is especially
true of the quota system wherein only a specific number of students who pass
the scholarship qualifying examinations are accepted and granted the
scholarship.

Bill Drafting Service


Under this proposed amendment, the Commission on Higher Education
will limit the availments of the grant or scholarship to only one per scholar or
grantee regardless of its source. Through this measure, scholarships and grants
will be distributed evenly and fairly to all qualified students. Thus, the
opportunities for a better education will be spread out to more beneficiaries,
more families and more communities.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought

EVELINA G. ESCUDERO


Republic of the Philippines
House Or REepresENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 9489

Introduced by Evelina G. Escudero

AN ACT
RATIONALIZING THE DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT GRANTS,
SCHOLARSHIPS AND SIMILAR PROGRAMS, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7722, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1994”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. — Section 8 of Republic Act No, 7722, is hereby amended to
read as follows:
“Section. 8. Powers and Functions of the Commission. ~ The
Commission shall have the following powers and functions:
a) XXX
XXX XXX XXX
m) Review the charters of institutions of higher learning and

state universities and colleges including the chairmanship and

Bill Drafting Service


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M-1) RATIONALIZE THE DISTRIBUTION OF

GOVERNMENT GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS = AND

SIMILAR PROGRAMS: PROVIDED, THAT A SCHOLAR

OR GRANTEE WHO IS ALREADY A BENEFICIARY OF

ANY SCHOLARSHIP OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

FROM EITHER THE GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE

SECTOR SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM AVAILING

OF ANOTHER SCHOLARSHIP OR GRANT FROM THE

GOVERNMENT.”

n)
0)

SEC. 2;

XXX XXX XXX

This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication

in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,