c 
.- 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S.B. i o .  
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section I of Article XIV of the Constitution mandates that " 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". 
Studies show that the intellectual capacity of women have a direct correlation to 
societal development. This is being manifested in part by the fact that educated 
mothers can ensure that her children would learn the basic literacy skills needed for a 
productive life. Thus, lack of opportunity not only stunts the educational and social 
growth of women but inevitably contributes to a country's slow development. 
Despite earnest efforts in the past to provide better opportunities for women in 
education, women in both rural and urban areas have remained largely marginalized 
and bereft opportunities to improve and educate themselves. 
This bill therefore seeks to create scholarship grant for women. 
Hence, its 
immediate passage into law is earnestly sought. 
EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


J 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING HIGHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN, 
ESTABLISHING 
A WOMEN’S HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. 
W e .  - This Act shall be known as the “Women’s Higher 
Education Act of 2004,” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. The State recognizes the special role 
of women in societal development. Hence, there is a compelling need for the 
State to provide better higher education opportunities for women not only as a 
matter of right, but because of their peculiar role as potential teachers of their 
children. 
SECTION 3. Scholarship Fund. - A special scholarship fund to be known 
as the “Women’s Higher Education Scholarship Fund” is hereby created to be 
administered by the Commission on Higher Education. 
SECTION 4. Application. 
The scholarship fund shall be made available 
to all qualified graduating Filipino female high school students through a 
competitive process whose rules and regulations shall be formulated by a 


. 
selection committee within the Commission on Higher Education. Criteria for the 
selection process shall include intellectual aptitude as well as financial need. 
SECTION 5. Tuition and Allowances. - The amount of tuition fee and 
allowances per student shall be determined by the State institution where the 
student shall be enrolled. 
SECTION 6. Appropriafions. - 
The 
amount 
of 
Ten 
Million 
Pesos 
(I 
0,000,000) is hereby appropriated for the Women’s Higher Education Scholarship 
Fund to be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. All acts, rules and regulations contrary or 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved.