Ping Lacson’s ‘Kabataang Magsasaka Scholarship’ Bill to End Farmers’ Poverty, Enhance Food Security

To end the cycle of poverty for farmers by helping their children pursue much-needed education while enhancing the Philippines’ agriculture and food security, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has filed a bill establishing the “Kabataang Magsasaka” national scholarship and return service program.

Senate Bill 34, the “Kabataang Magsasaka Scholarship Act,” aims to promote inclusive access to quality education in agriculture and allied fields for eligible children or dependents of farmers.

“Consistent with this representation’s aspiration of breaking the poverty cycle of our farmers, this measure will likewise ensure that our country will not fall short of professionals who can contribute to modernizing and strengthening the country’s food security and rural development,” Lacson said in his bill.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson, Naghain ng ‘Kabataang Magsasaka Scholarship’ Bill para Tapusin ang Kahirapan ng Magsasaka at Palakasin ang Food Security

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The program stemmed from Lacson’s Konsultahang Bayan forum last April, where many farmers in attendance cheered when asked if they approve of such a scholarship program.

It will be parallel to existing education subsidy programs of the government under the laws such as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act (RA 11524), Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203), and the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (RA 10931).

Lacson noted that while the Philippines is an agricultural country, farmers remain among the poorest sectors in society – with poverty keeping their children from getting education, and fewer students are drawn to agriculture-related courses, seeing little promise in the field.

Under the bill, applicants certified as a child or dependent of a farmer must be enrolled in, or accepted into, undergraduate or graduate programs in agriculture or allied fields identified by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), in a State or Local University or College (SUC/LUC), a CHED-accredited private higher education institution (HEI) in the Philippines, or an accredited partner institution abroad for those pursuing graduate-level studies or training.

Also, CHED, in partnership with DA and HEIs, shall align agricultural education with modern needs by expanding its curriculum, providing access to hands-on learning, encouraging partnerships for learning opportunities, and offering continuing education and training for graduates to stay updated on agricultural innovations.

Qualified scholars shall be entitled to benefits including:

* Free tuition and other school fees in accordance with Republic Act 10931 or as otherwise provided under this Act for those enrolled in non-public partner institutions;
* Allowances and support for prescribed books, uniforms, equipment, and instructional materials;
* A monthly living stipend, as determined by CHED and the DA;
* Expenses for internships, fieldwork, field immersion, capstone projects, research, and other academic requirements as may be determined by CHED and DA;
* Reimbursement or direct funding for licensure or board examination fees, including board review courses for applicable programs, shall be extended for the first attempt, subject to limitations prescribed by CHED and DA. Any succeeding attempts shall be undertaken on a self-funded basis.

Scholarships shall also be open to those pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees, as well as post-baccalaureate certificate or diploma programs in the same fields.

Meanwhile, the CHED and DA shall identify select scholars for short-term certificate training, graduate diploma programs, or full graduate studies in partner institutions abroad, particularly in areas where local expertise or programs remain limited.

The CHED and DA shall also maintain and update a centralized scholarship database for effective tracking of scholars and return service compliance. They shall coordinate with partner HEIs, local government units (LGUs), and other agencies for scholar support and monitoring.

Graduates of the program shall be required to render return service in the government for a minimum period equivalent to the length of time they benefited from the scholarship. The return service shall commence within one year after graduation or completion of mandatory licensure requirements.

If there is no return service opportunity in government, graduates may fulfill their service obligation through alternative placements including accredited non-government organizations (NGOs), cooperatives, or private sector entities directly engaged in agricultural development, extension services, agribusiness, or research; start-up ventures or enterprises in the agricultural or allied sectors, provided these are endorsed by DA and monitored for compliance; and academic or research contributions.

Graduates may also apply to fulfill their obligation by establishing an agricultural or allied-sector enterprise that demonstrably contributes to local or national development.

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Ping Lacson, Naghain ng ‘Kabataang Magsasaka Scholarship’ Bill para Tapusin ang Kahirapan ng Magsasaka at Palakasin ang Food Security

Upang tapusin ang kahirapan ng magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng pagbigay ng edukasyon sa anak nila – habang pinapaganda ang ating food security at agrikultura – naghain si Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson ng panukalang batas para sa “Kabataang Magsasaka” national scholarship and return service program.

Layunin ng Senate Bill 34 o “Kabataang Magsasaka Scholarship Act” na magkaroon ng “inclusive access” sa edukasyon sa agrikultura para sa mga anak ng mga magsasaka o ang mga umaasa sa kanila.

“Consistent with this representation’s aspiration of breaking the poverty cycle of our farmers, this measure will likewise ensure that our country will not fall short of professionals who can contribute to modernizing and strengthening the country’s food security and rural development,” ani Lacson sa kanyang panukala.

Nagmula ang panukala sa Konsultahang Bayan forum ni Lacson noong Abril, kung saan maraming magsasaka ang nagpahayag ng pag-apruba sa ganitong scholarship program.

Magiging magkahanay ang programa sa mga ed1ucation subsidy programs ng pamahalaan sa ilalim ng batas tulad ng Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act (RA 11524), Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203), at Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (RA 10931).

Ani Lacson, bagama’t maituturing na bansang agrikultura ang Pilipinas, kabilang ang magsasaka sa pinakamahirap sa lipunan – at ang kahirapan ang pumipigil sa anak nila na magkaroon ng edukasyon. Bukod dito, iilan lang ang interesado sa kurso sa agrikultura.

Sa ilalim ng panukala, ang anak o dependent ng magsasaka ay dapat naka-enrol o natanggap sa undergraduate o graduate program sa agrikultura o ibang kursong itinakda ng Commission on Higher Education (CHED) at Department of Agriculture (DA), sa State or Local University or College (SUC/LUC), o CHED-accredited na private higher education institution (HEI) sa Pilipinas, o accredited partner institution sa ibang bansa.

Ang CHED naman ay mag-expand ng curriculum katuwang ang DA at HEI at magbibigay ng access sa hands-on learning, hihikayat ng oportunidad sa pag-aaral, at magbibigay ng patuloy na edukasyon at pagsasanay para sa mga graduate para manatiling updated sa pagbabago sa agrikultura.

Kabilang sa mga benepisyo sa mga iskolar ang:

* Libreng tuition at ibang school fees;
* Allowances at suporta sa mga libro, uniporme at ibang gamit;
* Buwanang “living stipend” na itatakda ng CHED at DA;
* Panggastos para sa internship, fieldwork, field immersion, capstone projects, research, at ibang academic requirements;
* Reimbursement o direct funding para sa licensure o board examination fees.

Kikilalanin ng CHED at DA ang piling iskolar para sa short-term certificate training, graduate diploma program, o full graduate studies sa mga partner institution sa ibang bansa.

Magpapanatili ang CHED at DA ng centralized scholarship database para tiyakin ang pagsunod ng mga iskolar sa return service. Makikipagugnayan sila sa partner HEI, local government unit, at ibang ahensya.

Ang mga magtatapos sa programa ay dapat magbigay ng return service sa pamahalaan. Magsisimula ang return service sa loob ng isang taon pagkataoos ng graduation o pagkumpleto ng mandatory licensure requirements.

Kung walang return service opportunity sa pamahalaan, maaaring magkaroon ng alternative placements sa accredited non-government organizations (NGOs), cooperatives, o private sector entities sa agricultural development, extension services, agribusiness, or research; start-up ventures o enterprises sa agrikultura, na ineendorso ng DA.

Maaari ring mag-apply ang mga graduate sa pamamagitan ng pagtayo ng agricultural o allied-sector enterprise na aambag sa pag-unlad.

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