VALENZUELA  City Rep. Kenneth Gatchalian has filed a measure seeking to ease the financial burden on low- and middle-income Filipino families by providing textbook vouchers to qualified students enrolled in private elementary and secondary schools.

House Bill No. 11551 proposes the establishment of a **Textbook Assistance Voucher Program** to help families cope with the rising costs of textbooks and other instructional materials.

The bill was officially filed electronically and received by the House Bills and Index Service on September 30, 2026.

In the bill’s explanatory note, Gatchalian pointed out that while government educational assistance programs often focus on tuition and miscellaneous fees, the recurring expense of purchasing textbooks and other learning materials also places considerable financial pressure on parents.

He noted that due to financial constraints, many students in private elementary and secondary schools are forced to rely on outdated, borrowed, or insufficient learning materials, potentially affecting their academic performance and learning outcomes.

“While the State recognizes the complementary role of private educational institutions in the delivery of quality basic education, many Filipino families continue to struggle with the increasing cost of educational materials, particularly textbooks and learning resources,” Gatchalian said in the bill.

Under the proposed measure, qualified students enrolled in private elementary and secondary schools would receive financial assistance through textbook vouchers.

The vouchers would be used exclusively to purchase textbooks, workbooks, and other instructional materials approved by the Department of Education (DepEd).

The proposed program seeks to make essential learning resources more accessible to students while helping parents manage the rising costs of education.

Through the initiative, Gatchalian aims to ensure that financial difficulties do not prevent students from obtaining the learning materials they need to participate effectively in their education.