Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7663

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The importance of education cannot be stressed enough for a nation to be able
to sustain development until its succeeding generations. Soon enough, the youth of the
Philippines shall be our next nation-builders and policy-makers. It is then but of utmost
importance that they be given every possible opportunity to learn and make the most of
their learning.

We are not oblivious to the fact that most students and their families in our
country have difficulties in making ends meet as regards paying for their tuition fees,
living costs (if they are studying in a different region other than their hometown), books
and other resources, among others. The strengthening of our educational system comes
with the acknowledgement that not only is financial assistance needed in terms of free
tuition in the tertiary level, but in terms of accessing the necessary resources for their
education.

This is why we need to introduce measures that can help alleviate the burden
that these students face, even if that means offering them loans to help them in their
education, with minimal interest and with flexible time frames for payment. With this,
we can ensure that we are making steps that will soon reap benefits by investing in our
country’s future.

It is for these foregoing premises that approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

RE

ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

House sii wo. 7663

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

AN ACT
CREATING A NATIONAL STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM

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 “Student Loan Act”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared as a policy of the State to
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 3. Philippine Board of Student Loans. - There is hereby established a
Philippine Board of Student Loans which shall formulate and oversee the
implementation policies regarding student loans. It shall likewise be referred to in this
Act as the Board,

SECTION 4. Functions of the Board. - The Board shall have the following
functions:

a. Formulate a system of student loan access to secondary and tertiary students
in the Philippines;

b. Set guidelines for the application for and monitoring of student loans;

c. Require the submission of reports from government and non-government
agencies concerned with the conduct of programs, projects, and policies
relating to student loans;

d. Gather and collect data on the current status of student loans in the country
to formulate policies to better provide accessibility to students;

e. Submit periodic reports to the Congress on the status of student loans in the
country;

f. Perform such other duties functions and responsibilities as may be necessary
to effectively attain its objectives.

SECTION 5. Composition of the Board. - The Board shall be composed of the


following:

Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education
Secretary of Education

Secretary of Finance

Secretary of Budget and Management

One (1) faculty representative from a state university, preferably with the
largest student population, from each Philippine region, and for a term of
two (2) years

f, Two (2) student representatives from a state university, preferably with the
largest student population, from each Philippine region, and for a term of
two (2) years

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‘The Board shall be co-chaired by the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher
Education and the Secretary of Education. The Board shall be assisted by a secretariat
to be composed of personnel that may be seconded from the Department involved. They
may also retain consultants and other employees as the need arises.

SECTION 6. Honoraria or Emoluments. - The Members of the Board or their
designated permanent representatives shall receive honoraria or emoluments as may be
determined to the Board and accordance with existing budget and generally accepted
accounting rules and regulations.

SECTION 7. Adoptation of Board Rules and Regulations. — In aid of its oversight
functions, the Board shall adopt its own internal rules of procedure, conduct
investigations and receive testimonies, reports, and technical advice, invite, or summon
any public official, private citizen, or any other person to appear before it, or require any
person to produce documents or other material as it may need

SECTION 8. Appropriation. - Congress shall appropriate the amount of Fifty
Million pesos (P50,000,000.00) for the initial implementation of this Act. After the initial
implementation, the amount necessary to carry out the Program is hereby authorized
to be appropriated under the regular budget of the Commission on Higher Education.

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board shall convene
within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act and shall promulgate the
necessary implementing rules and regulation within six (6) months thereafter.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, and
proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act, hereby
amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force
and effect.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.


Approved,