Senator Villanueva wants to institutionalize merit scholarship program for deserving students

Senator Joel Villanueva is pushing to turn the government’s merit scholarship program into a permanent law, emphasizing that academically gifted Filipino students deserve access to quality education regardless of their financial status.

Villanueva, principal sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2410—or the proposed Presidential Merit Scholarship Program Act—said the measure aims to institutionalize the current Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program and establish a long-term national framework. The existing initiative currently supports 20,000 scholars nationwide.

“Kung may talino, may sipag, at may pangarap ang isang batang Pilipino, hindi dapat salapi at kahirapan ang dahilan para hindi po siya makatapos ng pag-aaral,” said Villanueva, who chairs the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education and co-chairs the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II).

Under the proposed bill, the scholarship will be open to qualified senior high school graduates from both public and private institutions:

Higher Education Track: Open to applicants who rank in the top 1% of their graduating class or hold a General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 95%.

Technical-Vocational Track: Open to applicants pursuing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) diploma programs who hold a GWA of at least 85%.

To ensure fair distribution, candidates cannot simultaneously draw equivalent benefits from another national government scholarship.

“Walang lamang kung galing sa public o private school. Kung may galing, sipag, at pangarap, dapat may patas na pagkakataon,” Villanueva emphasized.

Beyond covering tuition, the bill provides comprehensive financial support—including allowances for living and transportation, books, internet connectivity, internships, thesis research, and board examination fees.

“A scholarship should not simply open the school gate. It should help the student cross the graduation stage,” Villanueva stated.

To directly bridge education and employment, scholars must enroll in priority programs aligned with national development. Key fields include healthcare, agriculture, science and engineering, education, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and other emerging industries. Beneficiaries may choose between priority undergraduate programs or TVET diploma courses under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Upon graduation, scholars will be required to render return service within the Philippines through employment, professional practice, research, teaching, public service, or work in vital industries.

Villanueva noted that existing beneficiaries of the Bagong Pilipinas program will retain their benefits and transition seamlessly under the new legislation. Passing SB 2410 into law will safeguard the initiative from administration changes and shifting political priorities.

“Hindi lang po ito scholarship para makapagtapos. Scholarship ito para may mapuntahan ang galing ng Pilipino,” Villanueva added. “Merit should recognize excellence, but poverty should never disqualify excellence.”

-Paraluman News