Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7389

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by MAGSASAKA Party-List Representative
ARGEL JOSEPH T. CABATBAT

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The current health crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic has one very chilling
outcome: the impending global food shortage. A troubling outlook for the Philippines which
was ranked 64° among 113 countries in the 2019 Global Food Security Index, based on a
benchmark model that measures food affordability, availability, and quality. Moreover, the
country is increasingly relying on imports to supply its needs for livestock and poultry
products as well as other agricultural commodities. While our rice import dependency ratio
(IDR) registered a twofold increase with 13,83 percent in 2018 from 6.56 percent in 2017 as
reported by the Philippine Statics Authority (PSA).

This marked dependency on the importation of agricultural products further puts the
Philippines in a precarious situation because the looming global food crisis means that
countries are bound to prioritize the security of their food supply before exporting. For this
reason, it has become imperative to create the necessary long-term policy framework that
will ensure a self-reliant and food secure Philippines through a viable, sustainable, and
technology-advanced agriculture sector.

Critical to achieving long-term progress in agriculture is through the cultivation of our
youth's attitude and outlook. A clear and readily available program integrating agriculture
and education will provide an enabling environment necessary to ensure a progressive and
sustained shift in our policy framework. Hence, the scholarship and return service program
of the proposed bill gives our youth access and opportunities to actively engage and
participate in the development of our agriculture.

In view of the foregoing reasons, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ARGEL JOSEPH T. CABATBAT


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House sit no, 7389

Introduced by MAGSASAKA Party-List Representative
ARGEL JOSEPH T. CABATBAT

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AGRICULTURAL SCHOLARSHIP AND RETURN SERVICE PROGRAM
FOR DESERVING STUDENTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “Agricultural Scholarship and
Return Service Act”.

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ The State recognizes the primary role of agriculture in
developing a self-reliant and independent national economy. For this purpose, the State
shall strengthen its agriculture through knowledge and skills development, technology
advancement, appropriate research studies, and innovation, as well as adequate financial,
production, marketing, and other support services.

The State shall protect and promote the citizens’ right to quality education at all
levels. The State shall also establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student
loan programs, subsidies, and other incentives that shall be available to deserving
students in both public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged.

Towards this end, the State shall establish an agricultural scholarship and return
service program to deserving students seeking a profession in agriculture who shall
render government service in the field of agriculture. This shall stimulate revitalization
and ensure the continuing development of the country’s agriculture.

SEC. 3. Establishment of Agricultural Scholarship and Return Service (ASRS) Program ~
There shall be established an Agricultural Scholarship and Return Service Program for
deserving students in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) or in private higher
education institutions (PHEIs) offering degree and non-degree programs in agriculture,
fisheries, livestock and poultry raising, animal husbandry, and other agriculture-related

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courses; Provided, That the applicant has passed the admission and other qualifying
requirements of the SUCs and PHEIs.

SEC. 4. Scope. - The ASRS Program established under this Act shall be made available
to deserving Filipino students who want to pursue a profession in agriculture, fisheries,
livestock and poultry raising, animal husbandry, and other agriculture-related courses.

The ASRS Program shall provide financial assistance to students including:

(a) Matriculation and other school fees;

(b) Prescribed books, supplies, and equipment allowance;

(c) Clothing or uniform allowance;

(d) Research allowance;

(e) Dormitory or boarding house rental allowance with one-time relocation
allowance to scholars who have to study outside their region;

(8) Transportation allowance;

(g) Internship fees;

(h) Graduation fees;

(i) Board review fees;

() One-time roundtrip fare to and from the place of residence to be given at the
start and end of the scholarship period.

SEC. 5. Qualification Requirements. - An applicant for the ASRS Program shall possess
the following qualifications:

(a) Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines;

(b) Must be a graduating senior high school student or an undergraduate student
of a non-agriculture course who desires to pursue a profession in agriculture
and agriculture-related course;

() Must not have been a delinquent scholar of a previous scholarship;

(a) Must have passed the entrance examination required by the SUC or PHEI
where the applicant intends to enroll.

SEC. 6. Grant of Scholarship Requirements. - Recipients of the ASRS Program shall be
required to satisfy the following conditionalities:

(a) Must sign an agreement stating the terms and conditions of the scholarship on
a prescribed form of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the
Department of Agriculture (DA);

(b) Must carry the minimum required course load per semester or term by the SUC
or PHEI, and shall not drop a subject which will result to course underload,
except for senior students in their final semester who need fewer course load
to graduate;

(c) Must complete the entire degree or non-degree program within the required
duration of the SUC or PHEI where the scholar is enrolled in;

(d) Must conduct the required research and thesis work relevant to the priority
programs and development of the agriculture sector;

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(e) Must undertake the required internship in a DA-accredited agricultural
facility;

(6) Must take the board licensure examination within one (1) year after
completion of the degree program;

(g) Must serve the mandatory return service in a government agricultural facility
determined as a priority by the DA for at least two (2) years for non-degree
programs, or four (4) years for degree programs, or five (5) years for degree
programs with required board licensure examination, or one (1) year for
every scholarship year availed of; Provided, That the return service shall be in
addition to the return service requirement of the SUC or PHEI; Provided,
further, That the person rendering return service shall receive appropriate
remunerations and other benefits.

Subject to the guidelines and policies of the SUC or PHEI, the scholar may be allowed,
for valid reasons preventing the enrollment, to defer availing of the scholarship and file a
leave of absence for a period not exceeding one (1) school year.

The scholar who fails to pass the licensure examination within one (1) year after
graduation and completion of all academic requirements shall shoulder the necessary
expenses for the succeeding professional licensure examinations.

SEC, 7. Disqualifications. - The scholarship grant shall be terminated, and the scholar
shall reimburse the full cost of scholarship and related benefits received, including all the
expenses incurred on account of participation in the scholarship program, in case of the
following circumstances:

(a)If the scholar concurrently accepts another scholarship from other
government or private agency or entity;

(b) If the scholar fails to comply with the conditions set in the scholarship
agreement or, within the control of the scholar, fails to complete the course
program within the required period through the scholar’s fault or willful
neglect and without valid cause as may be determined by the SUC or PHEI,
CHED, or the DA;

(0) If the scholar fails to pass the licensure examination required by the course
program for the second time: Provided, That a scholar may opt to work within
the government-accredited agricultural facility or enterprise for a period
equivalent to five (5) years or the mandatory length of service that should have
been rendered as stipulated in this Act, instead of reimbursing the full cost of
the scholarship grant and related benefits received.

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SEC, 8. Mandatory Return Service. - Upon completing the course program and
compliance with all requirements, such as the passing of the licensure examination
prescribed by the degree program and conferment of a professional qualification by the
Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) to practice, the scholar shall render the
mandatory return service for a period equivalent to not less than two (2) years for non-
degree course program, or four (4) years for degree course program, or five (5) years for
a degree program with required board licensure examination, or one (1) year for every
scholarship year availed.

SEC. 9. Sanctions. ~ A person who has availed of the ASRS Program but fails or refuses
to comply with the mandatory return service in a government-accredited agricultural
facility or enterprise, as provided under Section 6 (g) of this Act, shall be required to pay
twice the full cost of scholarship, including other benefits and expenses incurred under
the scholarship program: Provided, That a person who has partially served the mandated
return service shall be required to pay twice the full cost of the scholarship equivalent to
the number of years not served: Provided, further, That the scholar who fails to comply
with the mandated return service is on account of, or because of, severe or serious illness,
the aforesaid penalties shall not apply.

SEC, 10, Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of the
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the
SUCs and the DA, Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued implementation of
this Act shall be included and subsumed into the scholarship program of the SUCs and the
CHED in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Review of the Number of Scholars to be Admitted. - The CHED, SUCs, PHEIs,
and the DA shall conduct a mandatory review after five (5) years from the effectivity of
this Act, and every three (3) years thereafter, to determine the number of scholars to be
admitted every school year.

SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the CHED and the DA, in coordination with the Philippine
Association of State Universities and Colleges, Coordinating Council of Private
Educational Associations, PRC, Department of Science and Technology, Department of
Budget and Management, SUCs, PHEls, and other relevant stakeholders, shall formulate
and issue the rules and regulations to fully implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - If for any reason or reasons, any portion or provision
of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected
thereby, shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules,
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

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1 SEC. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
2 inthe Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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