Legarda seeks student support program through P1K monthly aid

Senator Loren Legarda has filed a bill seeking to provide a monthly allowance of P1,000 to all Filipino students — from kindergarten to college — to help cover basic educational needs such as food, transportation, and school supplies.

Under the proposed National Student Allowance Program (NSAP) Act, students who meet minimum attendance requirements will receive their allowance through digital vouchers or student cards that can be used only for school-related expenses at accredited vendors like school canteens, transport services, and supply retailers.

“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,” Legarda said.

The senator emphasized the bill’s design to reduce corruption and ensure direct access to funds, adding: “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."

Legarda also said the student cards could function as basic e-wallets or savings accounts to promote financial literacy and digital inclusion. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and other institutions would be tasked to ensure these systems are accessible, particularly in remote or underserved communities.

The Department of Finance would conduct regular actuarial studies and develop a sustainability framework to ensure the program remains viable as it scales up. If passed, the NSAP could benefit over 30 million students nationwide.