MANILA – Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has filed a bill seeking to uplift the lives of Filipino farmers by providing educational opportunities to their children through a national scholarship program aimed at strengthening the country’s food security and agricultural sector.

Under the proposed Kabataang Magsasaka Scholarship Act, qualified dependents of farmers will be given full scholarships in agriculture and allied fields, with a return service requirement to support rural development and government agriculture initiatives.

“Consistent with this representation’s aspiration of breaking the poverty cycle of our farmers, this measure will likewise ensure that our country will not fall short of professionals who can contribute to modernizing and strengthening the country’s food security and rural development,” Lacson said.

The bill was inspired by Lacson’s Konsultahang Bayan forum last April, where farmers expressed strong support for an education-based solution to generational poverty in the sector.

The program will complement existing government subsidy initiatives such as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act (RA 11524), Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203), and the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (RA 10931).

Key Provisions

Qualified applicants must be children or dependents of farmers enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs in agriculture or allied disciplines in state colleges, local universities, CHED-accredited private institutions, or partner institutions abroad.

Scholars will receive:

• Free tuition and other school fees;
• Monthly living stipend;
• Allowances for books, uniforms, and academic materials;
• Funding for internships, research, and capstone projects;
• Support for licensure exam fees and board review courses (first attempt only).

The program also covers master’s and doctoral programs and short-term technical training, especially in areas lacking local expertise.

CHED and the Department of Agriculture (DA) will maintain a centralized database to monitor scholars and track return service obligations. Scholars are required to work in government or related sectors after graduation for a period equal to their scholarship duration.

If government posts are unavailable, graduates may serve through NGOs, cooperatives, agribusinesses, research institutions, or start agricultural ventures that contribute to local development.

CHED and DA will also work on curriculum modernization, expand hands-on learning, and offer continuing education for graduates to stay updated on agricultural innovations.

Lacson said the bill is a step toward reversing declining interest in agricultural careers and ensuring that the next generation of farmers and agri-professionals are well-equipped to meet the country’s growing food needs.