Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H.B.No._ 5626

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S, LANETE, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIV, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution declares, “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”

‘The State has offered various scholarship programs the scope of which covers elementary
and to some extent, tertiary education. Concededly, these efforts have contributed to a decline in
the illiteracy rate of the country. Moreover, these programs have successfully contributed to the
production of graduates adequately equipped with training in their chosen fields of expertise.

However, it cannot be doubted also that not all students admitted into a college
scholarship grant finish their education smoothly. A significant number of scholars experience
hardships despite the free education. This is caused by the lack of supplemental benefits such as
books and reading materials, A student may freely attend classes due to entitlement to a
scholarship grant. However, he/she still needs to read and study reading materials, the cost of
which, not every scholar can afford, Thus, quality education remains a goal given the lack of
books readily available to scholars. Without books to read from, a student is left with an
incomplete and imperfect training

In order to strengthen the provision of quality education among college students, there is
a need to provide supplemental benefits in the form of free books and reading materials. Hence,
this Bill seeks to provide free books and reading materials to all qualified college students
enrolled in State colleges and universities. By doing so, the goal of quality education for all will
be achieved. Therefore, the immediate passage of this Bill is sought for.

SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.
epresentative
Third District, Province of Masbate


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5626

H. B. No.

‘Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.

AN ACT PROVIDING BOOK SUBSIDY TO QUALIFIED STUDENTS IN
THE TERTIARY EDUCATION AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Free Books in College Act of
2015”.

SECTION 2. Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote the right of all
citizens to quality education at the tertiary level.

SECTION 3. Definitions. — For purposes of this Act

(a) “Book subsidy” shall mean the amount necessary for the purchase of the required reading
materials in a given semester;

(b) “State Colleges and Universities” refers to institutions of higher learning, including
specialized schools, maintained and funded by the government;

(c) “Qualified beneficiaries” shall mean all students in tertiary level enrolled in a State
college and university belonging to marginalized families:

SECTION 4. Book subsidy — \t is hereby mandated the provision of book subsidy to every
qualified beneficiary until he or she completes his/her chosen course subject to the rules and
limitations of his/her scholarship grant. Provided, that nothing in this Act shall cause or authorize

the diminution or removal of any benefit which the government presently grants to the
beneficiaries

‘The right of any beneficiary to avail of the benefits granted in this

Act shall cease if he or she fails any three (3) subjects included in the course curriculum,

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, regulations, orders, circulars, and memoranda
inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly



SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid or
unconstitutional, no other provisions hereof shall be thereby affected

SECTION 8. Appropriation. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act for the
first five (5) years shall be sourced out from the gross annual revenues of the Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and thereafter in a special fund to be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - The Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), shall, within six (6) months after its approval prepare and issue the necessary
guidelines to implement the same.

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

Approved,