Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 2074 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative 
BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WITH A MANDATORY PUBLIC SERVICE 
COMMITMENT, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the Philippines faces an urgent need to 
strengthen its information technology workforce to keep pace with global advancements and 
ensure national competitiveness. A robust pool of highly skilled IT professionals is crucial for 
driving innovation, modernizing public services, strengthening cybersecurity, and bridging the 
digital divide that still affects many underserved communities across the country. 
However, access to quality education in advanced IT fields remains out of reach for many 
deserving and talented students, particularly those from geographically isolated and 
disadvantaged areas. At the same time, the lack of sufficient technical expertise within 
government agencies continues to hamper the full and efficient rollout of much-needed digital 
infrastructure and e-governance initiatives. 
This measure seeks to address these gaps by establishing a National Information 
Technology Scholarship Program (NITSP) with a built-in public service commitment. Under this 
program, qualified Filipino students will be provided with full scholarships to pursue degrees in 
fields such as Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, Cybersecurity, 
Artificial Intelligence, and other emerging digital disciplines. By investing in the development of 
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future IT professionals, the State ensures that public funds allocated for education directly 
contribute to national development and digital transformation. 
A key feature of this proposal is the two-year mandatory public service commitment that 
scholars must fulfill after graduation. This provision guarantees that the knowledge, skills, and 
expertise of scholars will be reinvested in government institutions, local government units, state 
universities and colleges, and other areas of public service where digital talent is most needed. It 
also supports the development and maintenance of critical digital infrastructure, the 
strengthening of our cybersecurity defenses, and the improvement of public data management 
systems. 
The bill also provides clear mechanisms for job placement, career support, and 
professional development to ensure that scholars are effectively matched with appropriate roles 
and given opportunities to grow while serving the country. Scholars who fail to fulfill their 
service obligations without valid reason will be required to reimburse the full cost of the 
scholarship, thereby ensuring accountability and responsible stewardship of public funds. 
By encouraging partnerships with local and international organizations, this measure 
likewise promotes the sharing of global best practices, emerging technologies, and 
capacity-building opportunities for scholars and the broader government workforce. 
In sum, this measure not only supports inclusive access to quality digital education but 
also ensures that public investment translates into concrete benefits for society. It represents a 
strategic approach to building a future-ready Philippine workforce, promoting digital 
transformation, and empowering young Filipinos to contribute directly to nation-building 
through meaningful public service. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
Representative 
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-List 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 2074 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative 
BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WITH A MANDATORY PUBLIC SERVICE 
COMMITMENT, PROVIDING 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 "I.T. Education and Public Service 
Act." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy.  – It is the policy of the State to promote digital 
transformation and strengthen the country's technological capacity by investing in the 
development of highly skilled Information Technology (IT) professionals. To ensure that public 
resources for education directly contribute to national development, the State shall establish an 
IT scholarship program with a mandatory public service commitment, supporting the 
advancement of digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and e-governance initiatives across the 
country. 
SECTION 3. Creation of the IT Scholarship Program. – There is hereby established a 
National Information Technology Scholarship Program (NITSP), administered and supervised by 
the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). The program shall: 


a) Provide full scholarships, including tuition, fees, book allowances, and living stipends, to 
qualified students pursuing degrees in Information Technology (IT), Computer Science, Data 
Science, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and other digital-related fields approved by the 
DICT. 
b) Prioritize scholars from geographically disadvantaged and underserved areas to promote 
inclusive development. 
SECTION 4. Mandatory Public Service Commitment. – All scholarship recipients under this 
Act shall be required to render a two (2)-year public service commitment upon graduation. This 
service shall be: 
a) In a government IT role, assigned by the DICT in coordination with the Civil Service 
Commission (CSC), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and other relevant 
agencies. 
b) Prioritized in areas such as digital infrastructure development, cybersecurity, e-governance 
systems, public data management, and information systems modernization. 
c) Fulfilled either: 
1.​ On-site within government offices or field locations;​
 
2.​ Remotely for projects that allow telework arrangements; or​
 
3.​ Through contractual consultancy, subject to DICT guidelines.​
 
SECTION 5. Job Placement and Career Support. - The DICT shall establish a Government 
IT Talent Pool and Placement Program to: 
a) Match scholars with appropriate roles in national government agencies, local government 
units (LGUs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and government-owned and controlled 
corporations (GOCCs). 
b) Coordinate with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for eligibility and classification of 
scholars in relevant plantilla positions. 
c) Provide ongoing mentorship, training, and career development support during the scholars' 
public service period. 
SECTION 6. Failure to Complete Service Obligation. – Any scholar who fails to fulfill the 
two (2)-year public service commitment, without valid reason as determined by the DICT, shall: 


a) Reimburse the full amount of scholarship benefits received, including tuition, stipends, and 
allowances, plus legal interest; and 
b) Be disqualified from future government scholarship programs and government employment, 
unless otherwise determined by the DICT in consultation with the CSC. 
Valid exemptions may be granted for reasons such as severe medical incapacity, death, or other 
force majeure events, subject to DICT review and approval. 
SECTION 7. Partnerships and International Cooperation. – The DICT is authorized to 
establish partnerships with local and international organizations, including the private sector, 
multilateral agencies, and development partners to: 
a) Enhance the capacity and resources of the scholarship program;​
b) Provide technical assistance, training, and mentorship opportunities;​
c) Facilitate access to global best practices and emerging technologies. 
SECTION 8. Funding. – The initial funding for this Act shall be charged against the current 
appropriations of the DICT. Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for the continued 
implementation of this program shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act 
(GAA). 
 
SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DICT, in consultation with the CHED, CSC, DBM, and other relevant 
agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation 
of this Act. 
 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. – If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
invalid, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, rules, and regulations 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved, 
 
 
HON. BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
Representative 
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-List