Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HousEBILLNo.    10379
DATEMAY   0  9  202| Tits
Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative
|C M. ABALOS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The pursuit of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger remains a paramount
goal for nations worldwide. The Millennium Development Goal 1 member states have
diligently  worked  towards  devising  viable  means  and  mechanisms  to  achieve  this
overarching  objective.  The  gravity  of this endeavor is underscored by the country's
President during his 2022 State of the Nation Address by articulating our commitment
to achieving a single-digit poverty rate by 2028.
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act, or Republic Act No. 11310,
is one such mechanism. It is the country's foremost poverty reduction strategy and a
human   capital   investment   program   that  provides   conditional   cash   transfers   to
impoverished households. This intervention is designed to break the intergenerational
cycle  of poverty by investing in children's health and education through conditional
cash grants.
Notably, extensive research conducted by institutions such as the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)1 and the United Nations
1  United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization . Reduci.ng G/oba/ Poverty ffrough Unf.versa/
Primary and Secondary Education. June 2017 .


Development Programme (UNDP)2 consistently underscores the transformative impact
of  education in  combating poverty.  Local studies further corroborate these findings,
revealing    improved    academic    performance,   reduced    dropout   rates,    increased
attendance, and enrollments,3 as well as enhanced healthcare and educational outcomes
among beneficiary children4. Further, over the academic years spanning 2010-2023, the
4Ps program has yielded substantial results, with 11,436,938 elementary graduates and
3,254,002 high school graduates.
Notwithstanding  these  commendable  achievements  of  the  4Ps  program,  a
notable discrepancy exists in the number of college graduates relative to elementary
and  high  school  graduates  of  4Ps  beneficiaries.  The  number  of  college  graduates
remains  relatively  modest  at  32,556.   This   discrepancy  may  be  attributed  to  the
program's focal demographic, which spans children from infancy to eighteen years of
age. Consequently, households are delisted from the program when they no longer have
eligible members (having children of 0-18 years old children or pregnant members), or
when the last child completes high school. Given the expenses associated with tertiary
education,  households  may  choose  not  to  continue  their  children's  education  but
instead  encourage them to enter the workforce.  Nonetheless, recognizing the pivotal
role  of  sustained  access  to  education  in  poverty  alleviation  and  the  realization  of
individual potential, it becomes imperative to broaden the scope of support extended to
beneficiaries.
In this regard, the bill aims to establish the 4Ps Support to Tertiary Education and
Employment   Program   (4Ps   STEEP)   designed   to   facilitate   the  education  of  4Ps
children-beneficiaries  into  tertiary  education,  including  technical-vocational  courses,
and provide assistance in employment.
The  bill  seeks  to  mandate  public  or  private  institutions  and  organizations
offering educational  assistance to prioritize 4Ps STEEP-beneficiaries, while private or
public higher tertiary education and technical vocational institutions shall allocate not
less than ten percent (10%) of their available enrollment slots to prioritize qualified 4Ps
STEEP beneficiaries pursuing tertiary-level education within their institution. Further,
recognizing  the  multifaceted  nature  of  educational  expenses,  the  bill  empowers
2 Junjunia, Zubair , and United Nations Development Programme. "The Future of Education." UIVDP, 23 Jan. 2024,
www.undp.org/blog/future-education.
3 Flores, M. J. S„ Espinoza, C. A. 8., Enrico, H. C., & Casimiro, R.  R. (2019).  Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipjno Program
(4Ps): Its effect on the academic performance of student-beneficiaries in Calaba National High School in the
Phllipp.ines. Journal of Public Administration and Governance. 9(2). -93-208.
4 Braganza, C., Goozee, H., & Peres, A. (2018). The healthcare and education impacts of the Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Programme.


beneficiaries to avail themselves of various forms of educational assistance, including
scholarships, grants, student loans, subsidies, financial aid, and other incentives.
The bill integrates measures for employment facilitation to secure the long-term
sustainability of beneficiaries post-graduation. It prioritizes at least ten percent (10 °/o) of
all  contractual  and  casual  positions  within  governmental  entities  for  4Ps  STEEP
beneficiaries.  Priority  enlistment  status  is  also  granted  to beneficiaries  seeking roles
within the military, uniformed personnel services, and other governmental institutions
crucial for national defense and security. Moreover, the legislation incentivizes private
sector involvement by offering tax deductions to entities hiring 4Ps STEEP beneficiaries
who meet prescribed qualifications. This provision is intended to foster collaboration
between the public  and private sectors in advancing poverty reduction initiatives to
further strengthen the 4Ps Act. By encouraging the engagement of both sectors, the bill
seeks to bolster employment opportunities for beneficiaries and fortify their economic
resilience beyond the educational realm.
In view of the foregoing, approval of the bill is earnestly sought.
4Ps Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HouSEBILLNo.     10379
Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative
|C M. ABALOS
AN ACT ESTABLISHING SUPPORT T0 TERTIARY EDUCATION AND
EMPLoyMm`IT PROGRAM oF pANTAI^7ID pAMIIj¥ANG plLlplNo PROGRAM
sTUDEr`IT BENEFlclARIEs, AND AppROpRIATING FUNDs THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in Congress
assembled..
SECTION 1.  SJior£ Ti.£Ze.  -  This Act shall be known as the "4Ps S#ppo7'f fo Tcrfi.#ny
Education and Employment Program (4Ps STEEP)" .
SEC.  2. DccJ¢rflfl.o7i o/ Poll.ey.  -  The State shall errsure its commitment to social
justice  through  the  creation  of  economic  opportunities  grounded  in  the freedom of
initiative and self-reliance. The State shall accord the highest priority in safeguarding
and enhancing the fundamental right of all individuals to human dignity, specifically
targeting the reduction of social, economic, and political inequalities.
Towards this end, the State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to
quality  education  across  all  levels  and  and  shall  establish  mechanisms  to  make
education accessible to all.


The State shall likewise promote full employment and ensure equality of work
opportunities for all.
SEC. 3. Establishment Of 4Ps Support to Tertiary Education and Employment Program
(4Ps  STEEP).  -  The  Department of Social Welfare  and  Development   (DSWD) shall
establish a 4Ps Support to Tertiary Education and Employment Program (4Ps STEEP) as
a  mechanism  for  children  of  household-beneficiaries  of  the  Pantawid  Pamilyang
Pilipino  Program  (4Ps)  to  develop  interest in postsecondary education,  assist in the
access  and completion of tertiary education,  and ensure prioritization of 4Ps STEEP
beneficiary in employment.
The 4Ps  STEEP  shall continuously  advance the objectives of Republic Act No.
11310,  or  the  Pantawid  Pamilyang  Pilipino  Program  (4Ps),  as a national  strategy in
breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty by facilitating the pursuit of education
and employment of its student beneficiaries.
SEC. 4. Scapc.  -  The 4Ps STEEP established under this Act shall be available to
children of former and current 4Ps household beneficiaries who wish to pursue tertiary
education   in   a   postsecondary   non-degree   certificate   or   diploma   course,   or   an
undergraduate degree program in any state university or college (SUC), local university
or college  (LUC),  or private higher education institute (PHEI), or a public or private
technical-vocational institution (TVI).
The 4Ps STEEP shall provide assistance to a qualified beneficiary including:
(a) Cultivation of interest in postsecondary education;
(b) College readiness assessment and developmental session;
(c)  Access to and completion of tertiary education;
(d) Course and academic counseling;
(e) Mentorship;
(f)  Vocational guidance and counseling; and
(g) Employment facilitation.
SEC.   5.   Qw¢lI¢ccZ   Bc7tcfci.¢ny.   -  A  4Ps  STEEP  beneficiary  shall  possess  the
following qualificaticlns :
(a) Must  be a child  of a  current 4Ps  household beneficiary  or  a child  of a
former   4Ps   household   beneficiary:   Proz„.did,   That,   at   the   time   of
application to the 4Ps STEEP, the child is part of a household included in
the poverty data under Republic Act No. 11315, otherwise known as the


Community-Based  Monitoring  System  Act,  or  any  law  establishing  a
mohitoring and targeting system for poor households that may be enacted
in the future; and
(b) Must  be  a  graduating  or graduated senior high school student,   or an
undergraduate student who wants to pursue tertiary education.
SEC. 6. Accommodation in educational  assistance.  - A 4Ps STEEP bene£±ctaLry rr\aLy
apply  for  any  educational  assistance  such as, but not limited to,  scholarship,  grant,
student loan, subsidies, financial aid, or other incentives. Public or private institutions
and    organizations'   offering    educational    assistance    shall    prioritize    the    4Ps
STEEP-beneficiary  applicant:  Proz7I.did,  that  the  4Ps  STEEP  beneficiary  applying  for
educational   assistahce   satisfactorily   meets    the   qualifications,   requirements,   or
conditions set forth by the institution or organization.
SEC.  7.  D#£#Z7flsc Scrz7z.cos.  - The DSWD, in coordination with the Department of
Education  (DEPED);  Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education
and   Skills   Development   Authority   (TESDA),   and   Department   of   Labor   and
Employment (DOLE), shall establish a comprehensive database of all available tertiary
educational  assistance  and  services  to  streamline  the  process  of delivering essential
educational support to beneficiaries by facilitating easy access to relevant information
and services.
SEC. 8. J7isf±.fufro77¢Z flccommod¢tr.o7i 1.77 c77roJzmc7t£. -Educational institutions, public
and  private  offering  educational  assistance  such  as,  but not limited to,  scholarship,
grant, student loan, Subsidies, financial aid, or other incentives, shall allot not less than
ten  percent  (10%)  of their available  slots  for  enrollment in prioritizing qualified 4Ps
STEEP beneficiaries pursuing tertiary-level education in their institution: ProzJi.did, That
the  4Ps  STEEP  beneficiary  shall  pass  or  fulfill the qualification requirements of the
educational institution.
A 4Ps STEEP' beneficiary shall be given priority status upon enlistment in the
military and uniforrhed personnel services, such as the service branches of the Armed
Forces  of the Philippines  (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine
Coast Guard (PCG), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and
Penology  (BJMP),  Bureau of Corrections  (Bucor),  and  other government institutions
involved national ddrense, enforcement of laws, and in the maintenance of peace, order,
and security of the


SEC. 9. Acco77¢mod¢fi.o7t /or £777pzay7Hc7If.  - Ten percent (10%) of all contractual and
casual   positions  in,  agencies,   offices  or  corporations  of  the  government  shall  be
prioritized for 4Ps STEEP beneficiaries: Proz7z.did, That the 4Ps STEEP applying for the
position shall meet the terms and conditions of employment.
All qualified 4Ps STEEP employees shall be subject to the same compensation,
privileges, benefits, fringe benefits, incentives or allowances as those given to all other
employeesholdingtresameposition.
SEC. 10. J„cerif{.zres /or £7Hpzaycrs.  - To encourage the participation of the private
sectorinthepovertJreductionprogramofthegovernment,privateentitiesthatemploy
::;I:eTdE::rbsehnae]:±Cj#[:enst±#:Toeeithaed:ii:Sn:dd:::[cifti±::tif°o=fr±::u::;dy:#:r:°=±:]i°e::
::odsswiangceos::,4epqsu5!:I::tiongcei::eps:rf::t`!;,%i::s::ht;tn+va=:nT:::sac;dre::ns,a:arr:::
certified by the DOTE and the DSWD that such 4Ps STEEp beneficiaries are under their
emp loy.                         i
SEC. 11. £7Hprtyy7He"£ Scrz;1.cc - The 4Ps STEEP shall assist 4Ps STEEP beneficiaries
to have access to erdployment. It shall help the beneficiaries find jobs that match their
skill  sets:  Proz)I.did, I That  a  4Ps  STEEP  beneficiary  who  availed  of  an  educational
assistance shall adhere to the stipulated terms of the educational assistance program
suchas,butnotlimiiedto,aretumserviceobligation.
SEC.  12.  Appiroprz.¢fro7is.  -  The  amount  required  for  the  implementation  of the
provisions  outlined tin  this  Act  shall  be  incorporated into the annual budget of the
DSWD as stipulated in the General Appropriations Act.
I
SEC. 13. Revi4w and Annual Report Of the Program - Within one (I) year from the
effectivity of this Act and subsequently on an annual basis, the DSWD, in collaboration
with the DEPED, CI).IED, TESDA, and DOLE, shall furnish an annual report detailing
the execution of this I Act. Further, a compulsory review shall be undertaken every three
(3) years following the effectivity of this Act.
SEC.  14.  J7"pJ£7"e"ft.ng  R#Jcs  ¢7id  Rcg#J¢fi'o7ts  -  Within sixty  (60)  days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, in coordination with DEPED, CHED, TESDA, DOLE,
and  other  pertinent  government  agencies  and  stakeholders,   shall  undertake  the
formulation and issquance of rules and regulations to comprehensively implement the
provisions of this Act.


SEC. 15. Scp¢pebi7i.fy CZ##sc. If for any reason or reasons, any portion or provision
of this Act is held uhconstitutional or invalid, the remaining portions or provisions not
affectedtherebyshal|continuetobeinfullforceandeffect.
I
SEC.  16.  Rcpe¢Jg.7zg  aHwsc.  All  laws,  decrees,  executive  orders,  proclamations,
:::evsr's::n¥Loaftlt:TsS'Aacid=t£::e];S;ur::ealse:;:m=id¥:;eo°rf:ohi;C±eadreac:::d=i:t]eyntwfththe
I
SEC. 17. £#gcf!.uz.fy. The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation/ or a newspaper
I
of general circulation|
I
Approved,           ''i