Senator Loren Legarda has filed the National Student Allowance Program (NSAP) Act, a landmark bill that seeks to provide a P1,000 monthly allowance to every Filipino student from kindergarten to college.
The Senate measure complements a similar bill filed in the House by her son, Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste, underscoring their shared push for inclusive and accessible education.
The allowance aims to help students cover essential needs like food, transportation, and school supplies, and will be distributed via student cards or digital vouchers usable at accredited vendors such as canteens, transport providers, and school supply stores.
“This is not ayuda or short-term relief. This program is grounded in the belief that investing in every Filipino student is investing in the nation’s present and future,” said Legarda.
“This will be structured as an allowance that can only be used for school-related expenses, like food, transportation, and school supplies. Student cards or digital vouchers also help eliminate corruption and ensure this assistance can equitably reach every student in the country,” she added.
The bill also promotes digital financial inclusion. The student card will double as a savings or e-wallet account, encouraging responsible spending and secure transactions. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and partner institutions are tasked with making these tools accessible nationwide, including in remote areas.
To ensure sustainability, the bill directs the Department of Finance to develop a long-term funding framework and conduct an actuarial review every five years.
If passed, the program is expected to benefit over 30 million students, reinforcing the government’s constitutional duty to provide quality, accessible education to all.IMT
