MANILA, Philippines — Senator Loren Legarda has filed a landmark bill seeking to provide a P1,000 monthly allowance to every Filipino student, from kindergarten to college, in a bid to make education more accessible and equitable for all.

Under the proposed National Student Allowance Program (NSAP) Act, all enrolled Filipino students who meet minimum attendance requirements will be eligible for the allowance to help cover food, transportation, and school supplies.

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

The Senate proposal mirrors a counterpart bill filed in the House of Representatives by Legarda’s son, Congressman Leandro Legarda Leviste, signaling a coordinated push to institutionalize broad-based educational support.

The allowance will be distributed via student ID cards or digital vouchers, redeemable at accredited school canteens, transport providers, and supply retailers—ensuring that the assistance directly benefits the student and deters misuse.

Legarda added that the bill will also advance financial literacy and digital inclusion. The student card may double as a basic savings account or e-wallet, enabling students to budget responsibly and securely transact. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and partner institutions will be tasked with ensuring that financial platforms are accessible, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).

To maintain the program’s fiscal health, the Department of Finance (DOF) is directed to develop a Sustainability Framework and conduct an actuarial review every five years, taking into account cost projections and demographic changes.

The proposed NSAP is expected to benefit more than 30 million students nationwide and reinforce the government’s constitutional duty to make quality education genuinely accessible and sustainable.

“This isn’t just about giving students money—it’s about removing barriers to education, improving school attendance, and nurturing a generation of Filipinos who are ready to learn, grow, and lead,” Legarda said.