SENATOR Joel Villanueva is advocating for the institutionalization of the government’s merit scholarship framework to ensure academically gifted but financially challenged Filipino students receive guaranteed access to quality education and viable career opportunities.
Villanueva, principal sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2410—the proposed Presidential Merit Scholarship Program (PMSP) Act—and chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, emphasized that the measure aims to convert the current Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program (BPMSP) into a permanent law.
The 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 also serves as co-chairperson of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2).
Under SB 2410, qualified Senior High School graduates from both public and private schools can apply. To enter the higher education track, applicants must rank in the top one percent of their graduating class or maintain a General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 95 percent.
Meanwhile, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Diploma track requires a minimum GWA of 85 percent. Applicants must not hold concurrent national government scholarship benefits.
Addressing holistic student needs, the bill covers living and transportation stipends, book and connectivity allowances, research and thesis funding, internship support, and board examination assistance.
The measure focuses on priority fields critical to national development, including healthcare, agriculture, science and engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing.
Scholars may pursue degree programs at higher education institutions or priority diploma courses under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
In exchange, beneficiaries will render return service in the Philippines through public service, teaching, research, or industry employment. Existing BPMSP scholars will transition seamlessly without losing their benefits.
By codifying the program into law, Villanueva highlighted that it will remain protected from changing political administrations, securing long-term funding for youth development.
“Merit should recognize excellence but poverty should never disqualify excellence,” Villanueva concluded.