Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

17TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.3882

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to rationalize the distribution of government grants, scholarships and similar
programs, amending for the purpose Republic Act (RA) No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher
Education Act of 1994,

Section 2 of RA 7722 states, among others, that:

The State shall protect, foster 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. The State shall likewise ensure and protect academic freedom and
shall promote its exercise and observance for the continuing intellectual growth and
the advancement of learning and research.

The Commission on Higher Education governs both public and private institutions of
higher education as well as degree-granting programs in all post-secondary educational institutions
public and private. A grant or scholarship is given to students based on academic excellence, talent
and other factors such as ethnic backgrounds, field of study and financial need. It is given to help
promising students gain access to higher levels of education. There are many private and
government agencies that provide scholarships and grants, Students tend to avail of all the possible
scholarships and grants they can qualify. Sometimes they can get a combination of scholarships.
grants, loans, aids and fellowships. in effect, other equally deserving students are denied the
opportunity to avail of the grant or scholarship already given. ‘This is especially true of the quota
stem wherein only a specific number of students who pass the scholarship qualifying
examinations are accepted and granted the scholarship.

Under this proposed amendment, the Commission on Higher Education will limit the
availments of the grant or scholarship to only one per scholar or grantee regardless of its sourc
Through this measure, scholarships and grants will be distributed evenly and fairly to all qua
students. Thus, the opportunities for a better education will be spread out to more beneficiaries,
more families and more communities.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill

is earnestly sought.

EVELINA G. ESCUDERO


Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

17TH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

3882

HOUSE BILL NO,

Introduced by Evelina G. Escudero

AN ACT
RATIONALIZING — TI DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT — GRANTS,
HOLARSHIPS AND SIMILAR PROGRAMS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOS
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7722, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “HIGHER EDUCATION ACT
OF 1994”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 7722, is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Section. 8. Powers and Functions of the Commission. — The
Commission shall have the following powers and functions:
a) XXX
XXX XXX XXX
m) — Review the charters of institutions of higher learning and state
universities and colleges including the chairmanship and membership of their
governing bodies and recommend appropriate measures as basis for necessary
action;
M-1) RATIONALIZE THE DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT
GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND SIMILAR PROGRAMS: PROVIDED,
THAT A SCHOLAR OR GRANTEE WHO IS ALREADY A

BENEFICIARY OF ANY SCHOLARSHIP OR — FINANCIAL

TANCE FROM EITHER THE GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE

SECTOR SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM AVAILING OF ANOTHER


SCHOLARSHIP OR GRANT FROM THE GOVERNMENT.”

n) XXX XXX, XXX

0) XXX,

SEC. 2 This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation

Approved,