Senate Difter of the Canary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session FEB 26 A10:39 SENATE RECEIVED SY: Senate Bill No. 1913 Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PRESIDENTIAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Article XIV, Section 2 (3) of the 1987 Constitution mandates the State to "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." In line with this mandate, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education was enacted in 2017, providing free tuition and other school fees for students enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Universities and Colleges (LUCS), and government-run Technical-Vocational Institutions (TVIs). To complement this law, several merit-based scholarship programs are currently being implemented through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program caters to qualified senior high school graduates from low- to middle-income households who are willing to render return service upon completion of their college studies. Meanwhile, the CHED Merit Scholarship Program targets qualified first-year college students who are underprivileged, including homeless citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents, and/or their dependents. Despite the implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, four out of ten Filipino college students still drop out, according to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II). The nationwide drop out rate is at 40%, with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao recording the highest rate at 93.4%. Other regions with high drop out rates include Central Visayas (60.7%), Zamboanga Peninsula (59.5%), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (54.9%). A study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies revealed that 44% of college dropouts left school due to the need to work, while 20% cited financial constraints. This measure seeks to grant each qualified Presidential Merit Scholar with Fifty Thousand pesos (P50,000.00) per academic year to the top one percent (1%) of students enrolled in public and private higher education institutions duly
accredited by CHED. The grant may be used to cover tuition and other school fees, books, supplies and other education-related expenses. By institutionalizing financial assistance for deserving and qualified students, this measure aims to enable more students to complete their college education uplift their families out of poverty. re their aniles outer, poverty equiping them with the credentials needed to In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JUAN MIGUEL "MIGZ" F. ZUBIRI
Senate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE W Offer of the see terp REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session FEB 26 A10:39 SENATE RECEIVED BY Senate Bill No. 1913 Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PRESIDENTIAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, 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 "Presidential Merit
Scholarship Act of 2026."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - it is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels. The State recognizes the crucial role of academic excellence in nation-building and shall endeavor to identify, nurture and empower exceptionally talented students. This Act aims to provide financial assistance and incentivized public service opportunities to the most outstanding college students, ensuring that their potential is maximized for the greater good and the advancement of the Philippines.
SEC. 3. Establishment of the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program. - There is
hereby established the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program (PMSP), a national scholarship program to be administered by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
SEC. 4. Eligibility and Automatic Scholarship. - The top one percent (1%) of
students enrolled in public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) duly accredited by CHED shall be eligible for the PMSP, based on their academic performance at the end of each academic year, in each college or department within an HEI, and shall automatically qualify as Presidential Merit Scholars for the succeeding academic year, subject to the availability of funds and continued academic excellence. For purposes of this Act, academic performance shall be determined by the cumulative General Weighted Average (GWA) or the equivalent grading system of the students within their respective college or department, as certified by the Registrar of the HEI. The CHED shall establish the guidelines for the ranking of students.
SEC. 5. Scholarship Benefits. - Each qualified Presidential Merit Scholar shall
receive a scholarship grant of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) per academic year: Provided, That it shall be used to cover tuition and other school fees, books, supplies and other education-related expenses: Provided, further, That it
shall be disbursed directly to the scholar or their HEI, as may be determined by CHED, in accordance with its implementing rules and regulations.
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Commission on Higher
Education, in coordination with other relevant agencies, shall within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial implementation of
this Act shall be taken from the current year's appropriations of CHED. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.
SEC. 9.
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, ordinances, rules, regulations, other issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen
(15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,