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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Lino. #233

HOUSE BILL No.

introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNiX” M. DIONISIO, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

There are an estimated 1.44 million individuals who have disabilities in the
Philippines—this is according to the 2010 Census of Population and Housing.’ The
numbers indicated have not been updated for years thus the numbers may be higher
now owing to the growing awareness on the myriad of disabilities that affect the Filipino
population. There is aiso a risk that persons with disabilities face the added burden of
accessing quality education.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? and its Optional
Protocol? provided for the universal recognition of the right of persons with disabilities
to education. In line with this, appropriating the necessary assistance to Persons with
Disabilities is essential to promote and ensure that they have equal opportunity to a
quality and inclusive education to reach their full potential and participate effectively in
Philippine society.

Hence, approval of this bill is highly requested.

x
IRNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR.
Assistant Majority Floor Leader
Congressman
First Congressional District of Manila

4https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/hsd/pressrelease/Disability%20by%20Age%20Group%20a
1nd%20Sex.pdf

? https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-
disabilities/optional-protocot-to-the-convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabitities.htmt

3 https://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/convention/convoptprot-e.pdf



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILUNo. “433

Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOLARSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SYSTEM TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDs)
AND THEIR CHILDREN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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 “PWD Educational
Assistance Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The grant of the scholarship and
educational financial assistance shall be guided by the following principles:

(a) The State shall give full support to the improvement of the total well-being
of disabled persons and their integration into Philippine society. Towards
this end, the State shall adopt policies in ensuring the self-development of
disabled persons and their children by providing them access to quality
education.

(b) It is the policy of the State to promote social justice and pursuant thereto, it
must provide all its citizens access to quality education, including disabled
persons and their children, so that they may be able to seek opportunities
to participate as members of the Philippine society.

SECTION 3. Scholarship Grants. - Scholarship Grants to all PWDs and their
children shall be provided under the supervision of the Department of Education
(DEPED) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in coordination with the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Grant-in-aid shall also be made available to PWDs and their children as a form
of educational financial assistance.

SECTION 4. Appropriations. The amount necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation from


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL No. “433

the DEPED and CHED. Such amount as may be necessary for its continued
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or reguiation contrary
to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or
amended accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shail take effect on the fifteenth
(15) day following its publication in at least two (2) national papers of general
circulation.