SENATOR JV Ejercito is advocating for a measure that would establish a National Scholarship Commission, providing a unified system to manage scholarships, student loans, subsidies, bursaries, and other financial aid programs for Filipino youth.

Senate Bill 1979 seeks to streamline the processing and distribution of educational assistance, addressing gaps in access to formal education.

Ejercito highlighted that as of 2022, there are 1.16 million out-of-school youth in the Philippines, with an estimated 11 million children and young Filipinos not attending formal school.

“A key obstacle is the country’s underinvestment in education financing,” the senator said, noting that programs like the Alternative Learning System and community-based training initiatives, while helpful, need further enhancement.

“Scholarships, educational grants, and financial aid are vital for enabling aspiring students to pursue higher education,” he added.

The proposed commission would oversee a unified system of government education assistance, ensuring better access and support for students across the country.