FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 12 provides that: 
SEC. 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall 
protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social 
institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life 
of the unborn from conception. The natural and primary right and 
duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and 
the development of moral character shall receive the support of the 
Government. 
Student parents have been increasing in numbers over the past few years. This 
phenomenon is highly attributed to teen pregnancy. A recent World Bank Report includes the 
Philippines as one of the 10 countries with increasing rates of teen pregnancy. Bishop 
Evangelista of the Diocese of Boac in Marinduque said the media's emphasis on sex had 
encouraged early sexual activity among teenagers.' 
However, instead of debating the cause of these incidents, we need to help the young 
parents who need our guidance and assistance to stay in school and pursue their dreams in spite 
of their unplanned parenthood. A program that educates the student parents will go a long way in 
reaching out to them and keeping them in schools where they can continue their education. This 
prograni can also assist in informing our students about teen pregnancy in order to help them 
make more informed choices. 
This bill seeks to mandate the Department of Education enlist the participation o f  our 
educational institutions in teaching our students the value of responsible parenting. By doing so, 
' Bishop blames media, Internet for increased teen pregnancy. September 26, 2008. GMANews.tv 


we not only will help our unfortunate student parents but we’ll also be able to prevent such 
unfortunate incidents from proliferating in our campuses. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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UCT 
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Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO ESTABLISH A PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO ENCOURAGE 
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE 
PREGNANT AND PARENTING STUDENT SERVICES OFFICES FOR PREGNANT 
STUDENTS, PARENTlNG STUDENTS, PROSPECTIVE PARENTING STUDENTS WHO 
ARE ANTICIPATING A BIRTH OR ADOPTION, AND STUDENTS WHO ARE PLACING 
OR HAVE PLACED A CHILD FOR ADOPTION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Pregnant and Parenting 
Student Services Act of 2008.” 
SECTION 2. Definitions. - The purposes of this Act the term - 
A. ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION - means an institution of 
higher education that has established and operates, OT agrees to establish and 
operate upon the receipt of a grant under this Act, a pregnant and parenting 
student services office described in section 6; 
B. PARENTING - means the exercise of parental authority (as defined in Executive 
Order No. 209, as amended, or the Family Code); and 
C. SECRETARY - means the Secretary of Education. 
SECTION 3. Pregnant and Parenting Student Sewices Pilot Progranz. - From amounts 
appropriated under section 8 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to 
award grants to eligible institutions of higher education to enable the eligible institutions to 
establish (or maintain) and operate pregnant and parenting student services offices in accordance 
with section 6. 
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SECTION 4. Application; Number of Grants. - 
A. Application- An eligible institution of higher education that desires to receive a grant 
under this Act shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time,' in such 
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. 
B. Requests for Additional Information- The Secretary may require an eligible 
institution submitting an application under Paragraph (A) to provide additional 
information if the Secretary determines such information is necessary to process the 
application. 
C. Number of Grants- The Secretary shall award grants under this Act to not more than 
two eligible institutions of higher education per administrative region, except that the 
Secretary may award grant to not more than four institutions in the National Capital 
Region. 
SECTION 5. Matching Requirement. - An eligible institution of higher education that 
receives a grant under this Act shall contribute to the conduct of the pregnant and parenting 
student services office supported by the grant an amount from non-government funds equal to 
the amount of the grant. The lion-government share may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, 
including services, facilities, supplies, or equipment. 
SECTION 6. Use of Funds. - An eligible institution of higher education that receives a 
grait under this Act shall use grant funds to establish (or maintain) and operate a pregnant and 
parenting student services office, located on the campus of the eligible institution, that carries out 
the following programs and activities: 
A. Hosts an initial pregnancy and parenting resource forum- 
1. to assess pregnancy and parenting resources, located on the campus or within 
the local community, that are available to meet the needs described in 
Paragraph (B); and 
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2. to set goals for- 
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a. improving such resources for pregnant, parenting, and prospective 
parenting students; and 
b. 
improving access to such resources. 
B. Annually assesses the performance of the eligible institution and the office in meeting 
the following needs of students enrolled in the eligible institution who are pregnant or 
are parents: 
1. The inclusion of maternity coverage and the availability of riders for 
additional family members in student health care. 
2. Family housing. 
3. Child care. 
4. Flexible or alternative academic scheduling, such as telecommuting programs. 
5. Education to improve parenting skills for mothers and fathers. 
6. Resources to assist parents and prospective parents in meeting the material 
needs of their children. 
7. Post-partum counseling and support groups. 
C. Identifies public and private service providers, located on the campus of the eligible 
institution or within the local community, that are qualified to meet the needs 
described in Paragraph (B), and establishes programs with qualified providers to meet 
such needs. 
D. Assists pregnant and parenting students and their spouses in locating and obtaining 
services that meet the needs described in Paragraph (B). 
E. If appropriate, provides referrals for prenatal care and delivery, infant or foster care, 
or adoption, to a student who requests such information. An office shall make such 
referrals only to service providers that primarily serve the following types of 
individuals: 
1. Parents. 
2. Prospective parents awaiting adoption. 
3. Women who are pregnant and plan on parenting or placing the child for 
adoption. 
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4. Parenting or prospective parenting couples who are married or who plan on 
marrying in order to provide a supportive environment for each other and their 
child. 
Expanded Services- In carrying out the programs and activities described under this 
Section, an eligible institution of higher education receiving a grant under this Act 
may choose to provide access to such programs and activities to a pregnant or 
parenting employee of the eligible institution, and the employee's spouse. 
SECTION 7. Annual Report by Institutions. - For each fiscal year that an eligible 
institution of higher education receives a grant under this Act, the eligible institution shall 
prepare and submit to the Secretary, by the date determined by the Secretary, a report that-- 
A. itemizes the pregnant and parenting student services office's expenditures for the 
fiscal year; 
B. contains a review and evaluation of the performance of the office in fulfilling the 
requirements of this Act, using the specific performance criteria or standards 
established under Section 7 Paragraph (A); and 
C. describes the achievement of the office in meeting the needs listed in Section 6 
Paragraph (B) of the students served by the eligible institution, and the frequency of 
use of the office by such students. 
SECTION 8. Perfornzance Criteria. - Not later than 180 days before the date the annual 
report described in Section 7 is submitted, the Secretary- 
A. shall identify the specific performance criteria or standards that shall be used to 
prepare the report; and 
B. shall establish the form or formal of the report. 
SECTION 9. Additional Information. - After reviewing an annual report of an eligible 
institution of higher education, the Secretary may require that the eligible institution provide 
additional infoiination if the Secretary determines that such additional information is necessary 
to evaluate the pilot program. 
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SECTION 10. Report by Secretary. - The Secretary shall annually prepare and submit a 
report on the findings of the pilot program under this Act, including the number of eligible 
institutions of higher education that were awarded grants and the number of students served by 
each pregnant and parenting services office receiving funds under this Act, to the appropriate 
committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
SECTION 11. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of Education under the 
current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its full 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as a distinct and 
separate item. 
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or is inconsistent 
with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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