Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 NOV 11 P2:51 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1491 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla AN ACT MANDATING A MANDATORY RETURN SERVICE PROGRAM FOR ALL RECIPIENTS OR BENEFICIARIES OF GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS EXPLANATORY NOTE Education is both a right and privilege. The Philippines is facing an increasing concern in the education and human- capital policy, the departure abroad of government-sponsored scholars undermines the public investment in scholarship programmes. Although the phenomenon of overseas employment by Filipinos is well documented for decades, its intersection with government-sponsored scholars merit a more focused policy attention. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) working abroad from April to September 2023 was estimated at 2.16 million, representing an increase of 9.8% from the 1.96 million a year earlier. A recent survey by the Social Weather Station found that 7% of adult Filipinos are currently looking to work abroad, nearly 17% said they aspire to live abroad. Meanwhile, the "Decoding Global Talent 2024" study by Boston Consulting Group, reported that 80% of Filipinos are strongly interested in relocating abroad for work. These figures underscore that migration and overseas employment remain an attractive path for many Filipinos, even among the educated segments of the population.
The government-scholarship programmes, an example of which is from the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), reported that as of July 2023 it supported a total of 55,460 scholars (50,518 undergraduate, 3,895 masteral, 1,047 doctoral). Of these, nearly 300 scholars are studying abroad in 29 universities under the programme. In the 2015 fiscal year- period, the number of DOST-SEI scholars totalled to 12,117 (3,973 new, 6,888 continuing, 1,256 graduates) as of school year 2014-2015. Further, in 2020 it was announced that the government would fund over 44,475 science scholars including master's and PhD) in the next year. This signifies that the government is dedicated to hone Filipino talents. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and in turn the government, is well aware of the problem of talent flight among scholars, when he publicly stated that healthcare and IT scholars sponsored by the government should commit to staying and working in the Philippines for two to three years before moving abroad, because "the problem is... we lose the talent that we train... that we took through the certification system." The concern is that scholars supported by public funds may prematurely leave the country, thereby reducing the public return on investment in human capital. Given the foregoing, the proposed bill aims to strengthen the scholarship agreement framework, ensure a binding "return-service" or "local-service" obligation for government-sponsored scholars, and introduce monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that the Philippines benefits from the scholarship investment rather than simply exporting talent. The bill overall seeks to protect the public investment in government-funded scholarships, ensure scholars serve the country in critical sectors, and reduce the loss of talent abroad. It aligns with broader national objectives of making overseas employment a choice rather than a necessity for Filipinos. In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought. Senator
Sentate Office of the secretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 NOV 11 P2:51 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. 1491 Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla AN ACT MANDATING A MANDATORY RETURN SERVICE PROGRAM FOR ALL RECIPIENTS OR BENEFICIARIES OF GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Balik Serbisyo ng Iskolar
2 Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote accessible, equitable, and quality education. In recognition of the financial investment made by the government for the education of scholars, it shall also ensure 6 that the knowledge, skills, and expertise developed through such programs redound 7 to the benefit of the Filipino people and the nation.
SEC. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all scholars, grantees, or beneficiaries
of scholarships, training programs, or educational grants funded in whole or in part 10 by any of the following: a. National government agencies; b. Government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCS); c. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs); d. Local Government Units (LGUs); and
e. Public-private partnership scholarship arrangements subsidized by the government.
SEC. 4. Mandatory Return Service Obligation. - Every scholar covered under
this Act shall be required to render return service in the Philippines for a minimum period equivalent to one (1) year for every year or fraction thereof of scholarship or training enjoyed. Return service may be rendered through any of the following: a. Employment in any government agency, institution, or LGU; b. Teaching, research, or extension work in state universities or colleges; c. Community development or capacity-building programs accredited by the government; or d. Service in local industries or sectors identified as strategic to national development by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) or Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
SEC. 5. Implementing Agencies, - The Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Civil Service Commission (CSC), and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall, in consultation with relevant agencies, issue joint guidelines for the implementation of this Act.
SEC. 6. Monitoring and Compliance. - All implementing agencies shall maintain
a registry of government scholars and track their compliance with return service obligations. The CSC shall ensure that compliance certificates are a prerequisite for government employment clearances for former scholars.
SEC 6. Institutional Accountability and Oversight. -
a. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), shall investigate and monitor troll farm activities, both online and offline;
b. The Commission on Audit (COA) shall conduct regular audits of government communication budgets to ensure that no funds are diverted to troll operations; and c. The Civil Service Commission (CSC) shall prescribe disciplinary measures against public officials found to have tolerated or benefited from troll farm activities.
SEC. 7. Penalties, - Scholars who fail or refuse to render the required service
8 shall: a. Refund in full the total amount of financial benefits received under the scholarship program, with interest as determined by the implementing agency; or b. Be barred from government employment or from obtaining other publicly funded educational grants until compliance or refund is completed.
SEC. 8. Incentives for Compliance. - Scholars who complete their mandatory
service shall be entitled to: a. Priority in permanent appointment or promotion within the government = service; b. Eligibility for continuing education or advanced study grants; and c. Certificate of Public Service issued by CHED and CSC recognizing their contribution to national development.
SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months after the
effectivity of this Act, the CHED, in consultation with the DepED, TESDA, CSC and other relevant government agencies, shall promulgate, adopt, and issue rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or part of this
Act shall be declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.
SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive
2 orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, proclamations, charters, rules or regulations and/or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 4 hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause. —This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
6 publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,