The House Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Nueva Ecija 1st District Representative Mika Suansing, on Wednesday approved a substitute bill institutionalizing the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program (PMSP), a measure listed on the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority agenda of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
The initiative traces its roots to the President’s 2025 State of the Nation Address, where he announced a merit-based scholarship program for senior high school graduates with the highest honors.
For Academic Year 2026–2027, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) allocated more than ₱600 million to support an estimated 20,000 graduates nationwide under the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship.
By institutionalizing the program through legislation, Congress aims to ensure its continuity and provide a stable legal framework for merit-based support across both public and private higher education institutions.
The bill was sponsored before the appropriations panel by Tingog Party-list Representative Jude Acidre, chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education.
“This measure responds to a reality many families quietly face. A student works hard, graduates near the top of the class, passes entrance examinations, and yet college remains uncertain because the family cannot afford the full cost of education. The obstacle is not ability. It is affordability,” Acidre said.
Under the proposed law, the PMSP will be formally lodged under CHED and provide a comprehensive package of financial assistance to deserving senior high school graduates enrolled in priority degree programs aligned with national workforce needs.
Scholars will receive:
- Free tuition and other school fees
- Allowances for prescribed books, supplies, and internet connectivity
- Clothing or uniform allowance
- Dormitory or transportation support
- Other education-related subsistence or living allowances
Eligibility requirements include being a Filipino citizen, ranking among the top five of their senior high school graduating class, having a minimum general weighted average of 93% or equivalent, passing the admission requirements of a higher education institution, and coming from families with a combined gross annual income not exceeding ₱500,000.
Acidre emphasized that the program complements existing government scholarship schemes by supporting academically exceptional students who may not qualify for other assistance programs but still face financial constraints.
The bill also aligns with the Philippines’ commitment to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and expanded access to affordable tertiary education.