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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
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First Regular Session 
SENATE 
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Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Philippine Constitution states that "the State shall establish and 
maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies and 
other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both public and 
private schools, especially to the underprivileged." (Sec. 2 (3), Article XIV). 
But although there are a number of scholarship grants offered by the 
government, both local and national, catering to financial needs of students 
coming from various sectors and categories, there still exists serious need to 
further extend monetary aid to students belonging to economically disadvantaged 
families. 
Considering the fact that these underprivileged students also belong to the 
majority group of our youth, it is but necessary to provide them with added 
assistance if not absolute access to quality tertiary education, despite their being 
financially incapable. 
And it is for this reason that the passage of this legislation is earnestly 
sought because extending to these underprivileged students more access to 
quality education is empowering them, thus making them an integral part of 
nation-building. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
1 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Sesszon‘ 
1 
Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
STUDENTS OF UNDERPRIVILEGED FAMILIES AND 
AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF ONE HUNDRED 
MILLION PESOS (Php100,000,000.00) FOR THE PURPOSE 
ESTABLISHING A ”TULONG-DUNONG PROGRAM” FOR 
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 ”Tulong-Dunong 
Program Act of 2004.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - In line with the Constitutional mandate of 
providing quality education for all Filipinos at all levels, more particularly at the 
college level, it is hereby declared a priority policy of the state to institute 
measures that would assist students from disadvantaged families. 
SEC. 3. Institution of a Tulong-Dunong Program. - There is hereby 
instituted a student financial assistance program known as the ”Tulong-Aral 
Program” with the end in view of allocating resources to augment the tuition 
needs of students coming from disadvantaged families. 


SEC. 4. Definition - The term economically disadvantaged but deserving 
students who are qualified under this program shall pertain to those students of 
underprivileged families falling below the poverty line as determined by the 
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), who possesses the ability 
to continue and finish a degree course. 
SEC. 5. Monthly Allowance. - The qualified beneficiaries of this program 
shall be entitled to a monthly allowance of three thousand pesos (Php3,000.00), 
tuition assistance, book allowance and other monetary assistance to be 
determined by the administering agency. 
SEC. 6. Lead Agency - The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in 
coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall be 
the lead agency tasked with the formulation of the implementing rules and 
regulations of this Act. 
SEC.7. Appropriations. - The sum of one hundred million pesos 
(Php100,000,000.00) is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of the funds in 
the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated to finance this program. 
SEC. 8. Efjfctivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days from the date of 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved,