Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
• I    HouseBillNo.8976
Introduced by Representative Marjorie Ann ``Maan" A. Teodoro
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to provide Scholarship Grants to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and
their children for their primary, secondary and tertiary education.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities,
Persons  with  Disabilities  are  ``those  who  have  long-term  physical,  mental,  intellectual  or
sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and
effective participation in society on an equal basis with others''. Due to this, many of our
PWDs experience different kinds of discrimination - social, cultural and economic. However,
in spite of their limitations, they should be given the equal right and access to education as
reflected under the 1987 Constitution,  ``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".
As what our parents would normally tell us - our education is their number heirloom
to us, and our State as parent to every Filipino, education shall be afforded to those who dream
of going to school and graduate from their desired courses. All of our PWDs never wanted to
be  in  this  circumstance,  yet  they  experience  limitations  and  discrimination  in  society,
especially in the economic aspect like in education and employment. As much as they want
to study, financial limitations hinder them from doing so because of their cirumstance, thus,
they are not as empowered to attend schools. Furthermore, they would prefer to focus on the
education of their children than cater to their dream, especially since the Philippine Statistics
Authority in 2018 stated that poverty incidence in households with at least a member with
disability is 21.9% compared to households without a member with disability (16.6°/o).
So imagine if we can cater to the educational needs of both the parent/s and their
children  for  their  growth  and  development,  I  know  they  can  one  day  contribute  to  the
economic growth of the country as well. In view of thereof, approval of this bill is hereby
sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
I   HouseBinNo. 8976
Introduced by Representative Mary orie Ann `'Maan" A. Teodoro
AN ACT
GRAr`ITING SCHOLARSHp To pERSoNS wlTH DlsABILITIES (pwDs) AND THEIR
CHILDREN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
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 "Scholarship Program for PWDs and
their Children"
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to
health of all citizens to qualrty education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make
such educational accessible to all regardless of one's medical condition and age, and establish
and maintain a system Of scholarship grants and other incentives which shall be available to
deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged.
SEC. 3. Scholarship Grants to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and their Children. There
shall hereby provided Scholarship Grants to PWDs and their children 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).
SEC. 4. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this Act
shall be charged against the appropriations of DepEd and CHED under the current General
Appropriations Act (GAA). Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for its continued
implementation shall be included in the annual GAA.
SEC. 5. Separability Clause. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or other issuances
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.


SEC. 7. Effectivity. The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the O#.ci.az
G¢zcffe or in a newspaper if general circulation.
Approved,