Educational Assistance for Children and Dependents of Farmers and Fisherfolks Act

Senate Office of the secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 MAR 10 P6:29 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1960 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT PROVIDING FOR EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN AND DEPENDENTS OF FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE It is widely recognized the education is a fundamental component of an individual's success. As the World Bank puts it, "education is a foundational structure for good jobs and the surest way out of poverty," which further strengthens the idea that education promotes employment, earnings, health, and poverty reduction. According to the latest available data issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (2023), the poorest sector in terms of poverty in 2021 is fisherfolk, farmers, children, and people living in rural areas. Among them, fisherfolk had 30.6%, and farmers had 30% of poverty incidence?. Additionally, families of fisherfolk and farmers often have limited opportunities to acquire the fundamental technical skills and training necessary to secure high-paying jobs to aid them out of poverty?. This supports the observation that many fisherfolk and farmers have a relatively low 1 World Bank. (2025, October 28). Education. World Bank Group. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/education/overview#:~:text=Education%20is%20the%20foundational%20i nfrastructure,best%20possible%20start%20in%20life. 2 Philippine Statistics Authority [PSA]. (2023, March 24). Fisherfolks and farmers remain to have the highest PovertyIncidences among the basic sectors in 2021 [Press release]. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/phdsd/Press%20Release_5%20%281%29.pdf 3 Aviso, Heart & Caalim, Niel & Garin, Joanna & A., Purog,. (2025). Challenges of Small-Scale Fisherfolks In Accessing Technical Support in San Sebastian, Samar. International Journal of Social Science and Human Research. 08. 10.47191/ijsshr/v8-i6-02.

average level of educational attainment, as a significant number are only able to complete primary or secondary education*. Given this reality, it is understandable that many fisherfolk and farmers are motivated to continue their livelihoods primarily to ensure that their children can obtain a proper and fundamental education. However, as poverty remains a major barrier to educational access, it is therefore recommended that educational scholarships be provided to the children of fisherfolk and farmers. Such assistance would help alleviate the financial strain on these families and support the improvement of their overall livelihood. Moreover, this initiative is consistent with 1987 Philippine Constitution, which mandates that education be made accessible to all. In light of these circumstances, this bill seeks to provide educational assistance to the children and dependents of farmers and fisherfolk, further emphasizing the importance of education in improving one's livelihood and oportunities. As education enables individuals to enhance their quality of life, the State must ensure that no one is left behind amid the continuing challenges in accessing education. Hence, under this proposed measure, educational grants are deemed essential in uplifting the lives of fisherfolk and farmers and in contributing to broader efforts toward poverty reduction. In light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this legislation is earnestly sought. JV EJERCITO 4 Picpican, S., Jacobo, J. L. P., Linao, J. C., Peña, R. B. D., Solis, A. D., & Galilang, J. A. (2025). Socio-Economic Study of Fisherfolks in Sitio Lamintao Barangay Talisay, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo. Journal of Maritime Research, 22(3), 7-12.

Senate P Office of the Erectary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 MAR 10 P6:29 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. 1960 Introduced by Senator IV Ejercito AN ACT PROVIDING FOR EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN AND DEPENDENTS OF FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Educational Assistance

2 for Children and Dependents of Farmers and Fisherfolks Act."

Sec. 2. Educational Assistance for Children and Dependents of Farmers and

Fisherfolks. - Children and dependents of farmers and fisherfolks listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) shall be entitled educational assistance from basic education until their completion of tertiary education in public 7 school. The educational assistance includes free educational materials, board and 8 lodging, transportation expenses, clothing and other similar expenses.

Sec. 3. Special Funds for Educational Benefits. - In order to carry out the

provisions of this Act, there is hereby established a Special Fund, to be known as the "Educational Benefits for Farmers and Fisherfolks Fund", in the amount of Fifty Million 12 Pesos (P50,000,000.00). Such Fund shall be perpetually maintained and used 13 exclusively for the benefit of children and dependents of farmers and fisherfolks; Provided, That not more than 5% of this Fund shall be used for the administration of the Special Fund.

Sec. 4. Administration of the Fund. - The Unified Student Financial Assistance

17 System for Tertiary Education Governing (UniFAST) Board, in consultation with the

1 Department of Agriculture (DA) and three (3) representatives from the farmers and 2 fisherfolks selected from a verified procedure of selection as agreed upon by the farmers and fisherfolks, shall have the primary responsibility of managing and supervising the Fund. It shall also formulate policies, implement rules and regulations, 5 guidelines and other related functions to oversee, manage and supervise operations of the Fund. The UniFAST Secretariat shall serve as the Secretariat providing administrative 8 support to the Board and shall perform functions as authorized by the UniFAST Board.

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the

10 effectivity of this Act, the UniFAST Board in consultation with the Department of 11 Agriculture shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations for this Act.

Sec. 6. Separabitity Clause. - If any section or provision of this Act shall be

declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 7. Repeating Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 8. Effectivity. —This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following

its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,