Educational Assistance for Children and Dependents of Farmers and Fisherfolks Act

: TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -3 P5:00 SENATE S. No. 96 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING FOR EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN AND DEPENDENTS OF FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Education is an effective tool in alleviating poverty, eliminating social inequality, and promoting holistic national development. While education should ideally be accessible and free for all, reality reveals otherwise. The agricultural workers, while playing a vital part in our society, continue to be one of the poorest and most marginalized sectors. In 2021, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recorded that farmers and fisherfolk had the highest proportion of individuals belonging to families with income below the official poverty threshold among the basic sectors. Fisherfolks are at 30.6 percent poverty incidence, while the farmers are at 30.0 percent. 1 Poverty incidences remain to be significant barriers to education. Eradicating poverty can be achieved through expanding access to education, which also leads to better job opportunities and therefore, higher stable income. To achieve this, the government must assist in improving access to education of the marginalized sectors. Thus, this proposed measure, seeks to grant educational assistance to children and dependents of farmers and fisherfolk, from basic education until their completion 1 Philippine Statistics Authority. (2023. March 24). Fisherfolks and Farmers Remain to Have the Highest Poverty Incidences Among the Basic Sectors in 202/ | Philippine Statistics Authority. Psa.gov.ph. https://psa.gov.ph/content/fisherfolks-and- farmers-remain-have-highest-poverty-incidences-among-basic-sectors-2021

of tertiary education in public school. The educational assistance includes free educational materials, board and lodging, transportation expenses, clothing, and other similar expenses. In light of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OE THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 JUL -3 P5:00 SENATE RIECE" S. No. Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING FOR EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN AND DEPENDENTS OF FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK, PROVIDING 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 " Educational Assistance

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 school. The educational assistance includes free educational materials, board and 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 Fisherfoiks Fund", in the amount of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00). Such Fund shall be perpetually maintained and used 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.

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

2 System for Tertiary Education Governing (UniFAST) Board, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and three (3) representatives from the farmers and fisherfolks selected from a verified procedure of selection as agreed upon by the farmers and fisherfolks, shall have the primary responsibility of managing and 6 supervising the Fund. It shall also formulate policies, implement rules and regulations, guidelines and other related functions to oversee, manage and supervise operations of the Fund. The UniFAST Secretariat shall serve as the Secretariat providing administrative 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

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

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

declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or the provisions not affected 16 thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 7. Repealing 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,