Legarda Pushes Landmark Bill to Give Monthly Allowance for Every Filipino Student

Four-term Senator Loren Legarda today filed the National Student Allowance Program (NSAP) Act, a bill that seeks to provide a monthly allowance of ₱1,000 to every Filipino student from kindergarten to college. The Senate bill complements the bill filed in the House by her son, Congressman Leandro Legarda Leviste, reinforcing their shared commitment to accessible and inclusive education for all Filipino students.

The proposed national student allowance will be granted to all enrolled Filipino students who meet minimum attendance requirements, to help cover essential educational expenses such as food, transportation, and school supplies. Disbursement will be done through student cards or digital vouchers, which may be used at accredited vendors such as school canteens, transport providers, and school supply retailers. These mechanisms help ensure that the allowance will be used for the student’s education and help encourage school attendance and improve academic performance.

“This is not ayuda or short-term relief. This program is grounded in the belief that investing in every Filipino student is investing in the nation’s present and future,” Legarda said.

“This will be structured as an allowance that can only be used for school-related expenses, like food, transportation, and school supplies. Student cards or digital vouchers also help eliminate corruption and ensure this assistance can equitably reach every student in the country,” Legarda added.

The bill also promotes digital financial inclusion by allowing the student card to serve not only as an access point for the allowance but also as a basic savings or e-wallet account, enabling students to develop responsible budgeting habits and engage in secure financial transactions. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and partner institutions are mandated to ensure these systems are accessible, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).

To safeguard the program’s long-term viability, the bill directs the Department of Finance (DOF) to lead the formulation of a Sustainability Framework and conduct an actuarial analysis every five years to assess cost trends and demographic shifts.

The proposed NSAP is expected to assist more than 30 million students nationwide and strengthen the government’s constitutional duty to make quality education truly accessible and sustainable for all Filipinos. (30)