Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE PAMBIHIRANG MANGGAGAWA PROGRAM TO 
INSTITUTIONALIZE THE ADVANCED STUDIES DEVELOPMENT OF 
EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE 
PRIVATE SECTOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Workers are the lifeblood that keeps a nation running. When we 
recognize and support our workers, we also acknowledge their dedication and 
sacrifices for their families and for the country. 
Among the millions of Filipino workers are notable ones who exceed 
expectations and serve beyond what is needed of them all out of passion. 
These 
exemplary 
employees 
or 
“pambihirang 
manggagawa” 
provide 
exceptional leadership and service worth emulating. It is thus the 
responsibility of government to recognize our Pambihirang Manggagawa and 
further hone and support them in the development of their advanced studies. 
The State provides that it shall promote and upgrade the practice of 
professionals and institute measures that will continuously improve their 
competence to ensure their contribution in uplifting the general welfare, 
economic growth and development of the nation. 
In 2015, Republic Act 10912 was passed into law to institutionalize the 
continuing development of regulated professionals in their own respective 
fields. Meanwhile, for non-regulated professionals, there are no parallel state 
supported opportunities for development and continuous learning. Non-
regulated professionals who wish to pursue further studies, formal or 
informal, will have to hunt for fellowships and grants of generous donors on 
their own. 
September 7, 2022
4:43 pm
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While some who are lucky enough are provided with advance studies 
by partnerships secured by their employers, there are many non-regulated 
professionals who wish to get the same opportunity but do not have enough 
options available. However, our exemplary Filipino workers in the private 
sector deserve the same opportunities for growth and professional 
development. 
This bill seeks to reward exemplary professionals, from the government, 
private sector or self-employed individuals, who desire to pursue advance or 
further studies related to their field by establishing the Pambihirang 
Manggagawa Program. Furthermore, the bill aims to secure that the 
opportunity to be hailed as Pambihirang Manggagawa is open to all employees 
regardless of their contract status with their employer. 
It is our belief that by rewarding employees, they are pushed and 
incentivized to pursue excellence in their given roles. By providing 
professionals the opportunity to obtain high-quality credentials, new skills, 
and expanded professional networks through an institutionalized program, 
they can advance in their own fields and ultimately contribute to the 
advancement of the Philippine economy and the improvement of the country. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS 
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE PAMBIHIRANG MANGGAGAWA PROGRAM TO 
INSTITUTIONALIZE THE ADVANCED STUDIES DEVELOPMENT OF 
EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE 
PRIVATE SECTOR, 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 “Pambihirang 
Manggagawa Act.”  
SECTION 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 thrust, it is hereby declared a policy of the State to devise 
a program for exceptionally able and highly motivated employees, preferably 
30 to 40 years old, 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 the development and progress of the 
country depends on. 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 specialist in various 
disciplines and areas of specializations vital to national development to form 
a collective national “think tank” who shall place their knowledge and skills 
continuously 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. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following 
terms are hereunder defined accordingly: 
 
a) Graduate – formal degree course program of education, training or 
research requiring at least a Bachelor’s Degree for entry; a student 
pursuing such program; 
 
b) Post-Graduate – a formal degree course program of education, 
training or research requiring at least a Master’s Degree for entry; a 
student pursuing such program; 
 
c) Advanced Studies – a graduate or post-graduate, problem-oriented 
program of studies and/or research, not necessarily leading to a 
degree, undertaken for further specialization or 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 
 
d) Pambihirang Mangagawa – 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. 
 
SECTION 4. Establishment of a Program. – There shall be established 
under the Commission on Higher Education, hereafter referred to as CHED, 
in coordination with the non-government organizations (NGOs), the private 
sector and other government agencies, namely, the Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE), 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 the 
“Pambihirang Manggagawa Program” for Filipinos employed in the 
government and the private sectors and those who are self-employed. The 
program must be designed based on specific objectives and include concrete 
plans to measure their impact on the country’s national development. 
 
The program shall pool together all fellowships, scholarships, training grants 
sponsored or extended by 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. 
 
SECTION 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) Provide assistance to the selection panel in accomplishing its work; 
 
c) Provide the Pambihirang Manggagawa continuing assistance from 
the time of selection through 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 the CHED. Members of the 
Secretariat shall consist of representatives from the DOLE, NEDA, DTI, DOST 
and CHED. 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. 
 
SECTION 6. Number of Pambihirang Manggagawa and Length of Grant. 
– There shall be selected twenty-four (24) fellows annually – three (3) fellows 
of 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. 
 
Out of the 24 fellows, sixteen (16) shall come from the government sector and 
eight (8) will come from the private sector or self-employed.  
 
Provided, That the Selection Committee shall determine the number of 
Pambihirang Manggagawa fellows in the years succeeding the first, according 
to its available resources.  
 
SECTION 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 the purposes of continuity and consistency, each for 
a term of three (3) years. The Selection Panel shall make the final selection of 
the Pambihirang Manggagawa 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. 
 
SECTION 8. Qualifications. – In order to qualify for the Fellowship Program, 
the applicant must be: 
a) A Filipino citizen; 


 
 
b) Gainfully employed for at least over a year, whether on plantilla, 
contract of service, job-order or contractual term with the employer;  
c) A college degree graduate; 
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; 
 
SECTION 9. Place of Study. – The Pambihirang Manggagawa shall be sent 
to a foreign country well-known for its advanced stage in particular discipline 
of area of specialization. Training and education may be an academic 
institution, research and development (R&D) center or a major industrial 
establishment with and R&D program. It may or may not lead to an advanced 
academic degree. 
 
SECTION 10. Assistance to Grantees. – The Pambihirang Manggagawa 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 air fare 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 
determine 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. 
 
SECTION 11. Program Funding. – The cost of each fellowship grant shall be 
shared by the Pambihirang Manggagawa’s employer and the National 
Government. The employer pays the salary, allowances and other benefits due 
the Fellow as employed during the one-year period of advance studies 
overseas while the National Government, through 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 f under 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 of the expenses of the scholars while 
he is abroad. 


 
 
 
SECTION 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 two twice the period covered by the fellowship 
grant. In addition, the scholar shall be required to hold seminars or training 
sessions for employees of 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 grant. Any 
Pambihirang Manggagawa 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. 
 
SECTION 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, through the CHED and/or the National 
Secretariat, negotiate bilateral agreements with foreign government, 
universities, research institutions and corporations, public and private, to 
effect 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. 
 
SECTION 14. Appropriation. – 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. 
 
SECTION 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. With 
respect to government employees who may be affected by the transfer, the 
pertinent rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) shall 
apply. 
 
SECTION 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) 
days from the approval of this Act, the Secretariat shall promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the 
provisions thereof. 
 
SECTION 17. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations, or portions thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed 
or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 18. Separability Clause. – In the event wherein any of the 
provisions of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the validity of the other 
provisions shall not be affected by such declaration. 
 
SECTION 19. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers 
of general circulation. 
 
Approved,