Senator Loren Legarda has filed a bill seeking to provide a monthly allowance of ₱1,000 to every Filipino student from kindergarten to college, marking a bold move to ease the financial burden of education for millions of families.
The National Student Allowance Program (NSAP) Act aims to support more than 30 million students by covering essential needs like food, transportation, and school supplies. Students enrolled in both public and private institutions who meet minimum attendance requirements will be eligible.
“This is not ayuda or short-term relief,” Legarda emphasized. “This program is grounded in the belief that investing in every Filipino student is investing in the nation’s present and future.”
The Senate measure aligns with a similar proposal in the House filed by her son, Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste, highlighting their joint advocacy for inclusive and accessible education.
Under the proposal, the monthly allowance would be distributed via student cards or digital vouchers, usable only at accredited partners such as canteens, transport providers, and school supply stores. This setup is designed to promote transparency and ensure that funds go directly to educational needs.
Legarda added that the program will also promote financial literacy, as student cards may double as savings accounts or e-wallets, helping children learn to manage money securely and responsibly.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is tasked to work with institutions to make digital financial services available even in remote and underserved areas. Meanwhile, the Department of Finance will be responsible for crafting a sustainability plan and conducting actuarial assessments every five years to monitor the program’s long-term feasibility.
If passed into law, the NSAP Act could become one of the most far-reaching education support programs in Philippine history.
