Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
CREATING AN ADVANCED STUDIES DEVELOPMENT  
PROGRAM FOR EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE 
PRIVATE SECTOR AND OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Economies benefit from highly capable individuals, thus the need for constant human resource 
development. Successful economies tend to have a workforce that is comparatively more 
advanced than that of neighboring counties, as a highly developed workforce allows for greater 
efficiency and productivity in the workplace. 
The Philippines, known to be one of the largest exporters of labor worldwide, sends numerous 
professionals and highly skilled individuals abroad yearly—creating a brain drain problem in the 
country. Filipino professionals seek jobs abroad due to a variety of reasons which include better 
compensation, better working conditions, and prospects for professional development and 
continuous education. Considering this, the State must address the migration of our nation’s 
professionals and ensure the development of individuals working within the country. 
To address this, this proposed measure seeks to establish a fellowship program for advanced 
studies which shall be named Pensionado Program " for Filipino government employees, private 
sector employees, and self-employed individuals. Individuals under the program shall have access 
to fellowships, scholarships, and training grants for advanced studies in international centers of 
advanced learning and research. The creation of this program shall incentivize working locally, 
and allow for the development of our workforce.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
September 15, 2022
11:06 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
CREATING AN ADVANCED STUDIES DEVELOPMENT  
PROGRAM FOR EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE 
PRIVATE SECTOR AND OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. – This bill shall be known as the "Pensionado Act of 2022." 
Sec. 2 Declaration of Policies. – Human resources developments are essential for economic 
development and progress. In the pursuit of economic development and progress, the state shall 
give priority to the creation of a critical mass of elite professionals who shall take the lead in 
harnessing science, technology, and related disciplines towards accelerating the productivity of 
the country's human resources.  
Consonant with this trust, it is hereby declared a policy of the state to devise a program for 
exceptionally able and highly motivated employees, preferably age 30-40, from the government, 
the private sector, and/or the self-employed to undertake advanced studies in a branch of science, 
technology or related fields of learning on which depends on the development and progress of 
the country. As such, it shall provide for fellowships to enable them to pursue advanced studies 
or research in their field of expertise.  
The state shall develop a critical mass of first-rate specialists in various disciplines and areas of 
specializations vital to national development to form a collective national "think tank" that shall 
place continuously their knowledge and skills at the service of the nation, be it in industry, the 
academe or the highest policy-making levels of government, with the government taking the lead 
in harnessing their knowledge and skills for the greatest good of the country. 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms are hereunder 
defined accordingly: 
(a) Post-graduate refers to a formal degree course program of training/research requiring at
least a Master's Degree for entry; a student pursuing such program;
(b) Advanced studies refer to a post-graduate problem-oriented program of studies and/or
research, not necessarily leading to a degree, undertaken for further specialization or
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advanced knowledge in a specific field of a study, or to acquire specialized knowledge 
and/or skills in a particular area of science or technology; and 
(c) Pensionado refers to a Filipino citizen selected and supported by the Philippine 
government under this program to undertake advanced studies in selected institutions of 
higher learning or recognized research centers, in fields relevant to the officially declared 
priority areas for development 
Sec. 4. Establishment of a Program. – There shall be established under the Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED), in coordination with the non-government organizations (NGOs), the 
private sector, and other government agencies, namely, the National Economic and Development 
Authority (NEDA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Science 
and Technology (DOST), a fellowship program to be called as the ''Pensionado Program" for 
Filipinos employed in the government and the private sectors and those who are self-employed. 
The program shall pool together all fellowships, scholarships, and training grants sponsored or 
extended by a foreign government, agencies, and other bodies, as well as by local agencies and 
organizations, whether public or private, intended for advanced studies in international centers 
of advanced learning, scholarship, and research.  
Sec. 5. Establishment of a National Secretariat; Functions and Composition. – There 
shall be established a National Secretariat, hereafter referred to as the "Secretariat", with the 
following functions: 
(a) Identify, and assist in negotiations with sponsors (foreign and local, public and private) of 
fellowships, scholarships, and grants; 
(b) Assiste to the selection panel in accomplishing its work; 
(c) Provide the Pensionados continuing assistance from the time of selection thru the time of 
their return to the country, including assistance for the productive utilization of their 
newly-gained expertise; 
(d) Serve as the administrative arm of the government for the program; and 
(e) In general, promulgate and implement the policies and guidelines governing the Program. 
The National Secretariat shall be headed by an Executive Officer with the rank of Assistant 
Secretary, to be appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, upon the 
recommendation of CHED. Members of the Secretariat shall consist of representatives from CHED, 
NEDA, DTI, and DOST. These representatives shall be seconded to the Secretariat for a period of 
one year, subject to renewal every year. Service rendered thereat shall be considered as part of 
their performance for promotions purposes.  
Sec. 6. Number of Pensionados and Length of Grant. – There shall be selected twenty-four 
(24) fellows annually - three (3) fellows for each priority discipline industry field of the eight (8) 
vital disciplines or areas of specializations identified by the CHED in consultation with the NEDA 
as frontiers or new areas essential for pushing the economic and social development thrusts of 
the country. The scholarship shall be for a period not exceeding three (3) years. 
Sec. 7. Selection Process. – There shall be a Selection Panel under the Secretariat consisting 
of three (3) university presidents and two (2) eminent members from the academe to be 
appointed by the CHED. They shall serve on a staggered basis for continuity and consistency, 
each for a term of three (3) years. The Selection Panel shall make the final selection of the 
Pensionados from among the nominees from the academe, industry, and research centers. The 


integrity and objectives of the program are paramount considerations for the panel in making the 
selection.  
Sec. 8. Qualifications. – To qualify for the Fellowship Program, the applicant must be: 
(a) A Filipino citizen; 
(b) Gainfully employed; 
(c) A college degree graduate, with honors; 
(d) With demonstrated leadership and proven exceptional performance in his/her present 
work; 
(e) Enthusiastic in undergoing further training; and 
(f) Willing to sign a contract requiring him/her to return to his/her job in another capacity 
after training. 
Sec. 9. Place of Study. – The Pensionados shall be sent to a foreign country well-known for its 
advanced stage in a particular discipline or area of specialization. Training and education may be 
an academic institution, research, and development (R&D) center, or a major industrial 
establishment with an R&D program. It may or may not lead to an advanced academic degree.  
Sec. 10. Assistance to Grantees. – The Pensionado is entitled to the following benefits: 
(a) Up to three (3) years leave with pay, including allowances and other benefits; 
(b) One economy round-trip airfare to and from the host country plus other travel expenses 
required for foreign travel; 
(c) Clothing allowance to be determined by the Secretariat; 
(d) Monthly stipend while on study abroad, of such amount to be determined by the 
Secretariat; 
(e) Books/Instructional Materials/Research allowance of such amount to be determined by 
the Secretariat; and 
(f) Health, Travel and Insurance fees of such amount to be determined by the Secretariat. 
Sec. 11. Program Funding. – The cost of each fellowship grant shall be shared by the 
Pensionado's employer and the National Government. The employer pays the salary, allowances, 
and other benefits due the Fellow as employed during the one year of advanced studies overseas 
while the national Government, thru the program, shall be responsible for items b, c, d, e, and f 
as enumerated in Section 10 hereof. With the transfer of all pertinent foreign and local grants for 
coordination under the Program, the government, through the Program, may negotiate bilateral 
arrangements with hosts governments, host universities, host research institutions, and host 
corporations to share at least 50% of the total cost of items b, c, d, e, and funder Section 10 
hereof.  
The National Government may also negotiate bilateral agreements with host governments, host 
universities, research institutions, and corporations to enable our scholars to stay abroad and 
continue their studies or training at a minimal cost to the national Government. A sharing program 
can be established where the host government, host universities, research institutions, and 
corporations can pick up the expenses of the scholars while he is abroad.  
Sec. 12. Service Obligation. – Immediately upon completion of the studies or training, a fellow 
shall be required to return to his job or in another capacity approved by the Secretariat and serve 
on a full-time basis for a minimum period equivalent to twice the period covered by the fellowship 


grant. In addition, the scholar shall be required to hold seminars or training sessions for 
employees from the government and the private sectors on topics related to the course or training 
he has completed. Any recipient of the program who has not completed his course shall reimburse 
the Fellowship the grant received or render service to the sponsoring agency or company for a 
period equivalent to the period covered by the fellowship. Any Pensionado who violates the 
service obligation imposed under this section shall reimburse the sponsoring agency or company 
and the national Government of the Fund assistance received under this act in full or in part as 
the case may be.  
Sec. 13. Mechanism for Utilization of Returned Fellows. – There shall be established and 
developed a National Network of Specialized Institutes for Advanced Studies in universities 
selected by CHED in consultation with the DOST and other appropriate agencies to be determined 
by the Secretariat to provide returned scholars an office, laboratory, library, and conference 
facilities for their continuing activities. The Institute shall also serve as a place for an Exchange 
Program and Collaborative Research among local and international scientists and scholars in 
priority areas of research and development. The National Government may, thru CHED and/or 
the National Secretariat, negotiate bilateral agreements with a foreign government, universities, 
research institutions, and corporations, public and private, to effect the exchange of scholars and 
scientists for collaborative advanced studies, as well as to equip the Institute for purposes of 
benefit to the cause of scholar and scientists for collaborative advanced studies, as well as to 
equip the Institute for purposes of benefit to the cause of scholarly or scientific advancement and 
national development. A sharing program may be established whereby the host 
government/university/institution/ corporation can pick up part of the expenses of the Fellow in 
pursuit of his/her Fellowship.  
Sec. 14. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the initial implementation of this 
Act shall be drawn from the savings of the national government. Thereafter, the funds necessary 
for the continuous implementation of the program shall be included in the General Appropriations 
Act. The Program shall receive 2% from the share of the DOST and 1% from the share of the 
Philippine Youth Commission in the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) proceeds.  
Sec. 15. Transfer of other fellowship, scholarship, and training grants. – All foreign and 
locally sponsored fellowship, scholarship and training grants will be transferred to the program 
for coordination. Concerning government employees who may be affected by the transfer, the 
pertinent rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) shall apply.  
Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the approval 
of this Act, CHED, in coordination with NEDA, DTI, DOST, and CSC, shall promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions thereof.  
Sec. 17. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is subsequently declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall remain in 
full force and effect.  
Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
presidential proclamations, issuances, rules, and regulations, or parts thereof which are contrary 
to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly.  


Sec. 19. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,