Expanded Benefits of S&t Scholarship Grantees of Agriculture, Geology and Meteorology Programs Act

Senate and office of the 2 trict rep TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 MAR 19 A10:40 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. 1997 Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid AN ACT EXPANDING THE BENEFITS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP GRANTEES OF AGRICULTURE, GEOLOGY, AND METEOROLOGY PROGRAMS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7687, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP OF 1994" EXPLANATORY NOTE Agriculture remains a foundational pillar of the Philippine economy, yet it faces an unprecedented crisis. According to the IBON Foundation, the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (AFF) sector's share of the GDP fell to a historic low of 7.9% in 2025. Beyond economic shifts, the sector is under constant threat from our geographical reality. Situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is uniquely vulnerable to a relentless cycle of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and typhoons. These natural disasters do not merely disrupt production; they inflict substantial, long- term damage on our food security and rural livelihoods. Despite the critical intersection of agriculture, geology, and meteorology with our national survival, there is a distressing shortage of students enrolling in these fields. To safeguard our national interest, we must cultivate a robust scientific community specializing in food production and the geosciences. It is, therefore, a matter of urgent state policy to escalate efforts in promoting education and professional entry into these vital sectors. This bill proposes to incentivize enrollment in these underserved programs by providing enhanced financial assistance to students. To ensure sustainability and

equity, the grant of this assistance shall be calibrated based on the availability of government funds, the current purchasing power of the Philippine peso, and the prevailing rates provided by existing government scholarship programs. By investing in the next generation of farmers, geologists, and meteorologists, we are investing in a more resilient and self-sufficient Philippines. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. ANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID

Schate as Office of the secretary REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 MAR 19 A10:40 SENATE 1997 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid AN ACT EXPANDING THE BENEFITS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP GRANTEES OF AGRICULTURE, GEOLOGY, AND METEOROLOGY PROGRAMS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7687, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP OF 1994" 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 "Expanded Benefits of

2 Science and Technology Scholarship Grantees of Agriculture, Geology, and 3 Meteorology Programs Act."

SEC. 2. Section 7-A is hereby inserted after Section 7 of Republic Act No. 7687,

5 otherwise known as the "Science and Technology Act of 1994" to read as follows:

Section 7. Assistance to Grantees. - The grantee of the

scholarship program under this Act is entitled to financial assistance which may include tuition and other school fees, outright grant for prescribed textbooks and essential school supplies, outright grant for prescribed military science and physical education uniform, transportation expenses and monthly living allowance: Provided, however, That in the granting of financial assistance, the availability of funds, purchasing power of the peso and rate of financial assistance given under other government scholarship programs must be considered.

SECTION 7-A. ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP GRANTEES ENROLLED IN AGRICULTURE, GEOLOGY, AND METEOROLOGY PROGRAMS. - IN ADDITION TO THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND OUTRIGHT GRANTS THAT ARE ENTITLED TO GRANTEES OF THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP, GRANTEES ENROLLED IN THE AGRICULTURE, GEOLOGY, AND METEOROLOGY PROGRAMS ARE ENTITLED TO AN ADDITIONAL MONTHLY STIPEND. THE AMOUNT OF STIPEND SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE FAMILY INCOME OF GRANTEE AND THE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE COURSE UNDERTAKEN.

SEC. 3. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act shall be declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in 15 full force and effect.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders and

issuances, proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended, accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

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