Implementing Guidelines for the Sajahatra Bangsamoro Study Grant Program (SBGP)

June 19, 2013

CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 019-13

 

In accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994", the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed by the Philippine Government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on October 15, 2012, Administrative Order (AO) No. 37 series of 2012, Creating the Task Force on Bangsamoro Development (TFBD), and the Terms of Reference for Sajahatra Bangsamoro, which was signed by the GPH and MILF Peace Negotiating Panels on 11 April 2013 during the 37th round of Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, all concerned are hereby informed, enjoined and directed, thus:

I. Objective

The general objective of the program is to provide study grant to qualified beneficiaries identified by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) through the Task Force on Bangsamoro Development (TFBD) in coordination with OPAPP and endorse to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as part of the Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program, President Benigno S. Aquino III's concrete socio-economic peace initiative that signifies the partnership of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in working towards peace and development for Bangsamoro and the country.

II. Coverage

The program is open to identified deserving Bangsamoro beneficiaries who have limited access to opportunities to study in college. A total of six hundred thirty nine (639) slots will be allocated. Beneficiaries should apply in the study grant program effective AY 2013-2014 in transition of the on-going rationalization of publicly funded Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAPs).

III. Functions and Responsibilities of CHED, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) through the Task Force on Bangsamoro Development (TFBD)

The functions and responsibilities of CHED and the OPAPP through the Task Force on Bangsamoro Development (TFBD) relative to the administration of the grant program shall be as follows:

1. Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

A. Office of Student Services (OSS)

• Formulates the implementing guidelines of the grant program in coordination with OPAPP through the TFBD;

• Provides secretariat and technical services as deemed necessary; HIcTDE

• Issues notice of award to OPAPP through the TFBD for distribution to the grantees;

• Requests the Higher Education Development Fund Secretariat (HEDFS) to fund transfer the financial benefits of the grantees to the CHEDROs;

• Provides the concerned Offices (CHEDROs, OPAPP, SUCs, HEDFS) the approved masterlist of grantees for reference and funding purposes; and

• Monitors and evaluates the implementation of the program in coordination with OPAPP.

B. Higher Education Development Fund Secretariat (HEDFS)

• Transfers the fund to the CHEDROs; and

• Monitors the allocation and utilization of the funds.

C. CHED Regional Offices (CHEDROs)

• Receives the submitted listing of qualified applicants endorsed by CHED-OSS;

• Submits to OSS the masterlist of grantees according to the prescribed format and other reports for funding and monitoring purposes;

• Process and release the financial benefits through the partner State Universities and Colleges (SUCs);

• Recommends continuance or termination of the grantees as the case may be; and

• Assists OSS and concerned Offices in the monitoring of the program.

2. Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)

• Accepts qualified applicants identified by the MILF through the TFBD and endorse the listing to CHED-OSS;

• Submits to CHED-OSS the list of beneficiaries for fund transfer of financial benefits of grantees by HEDFS to concerned CHEDROs;

• Provides technical assistance to CHED-OSS and the TFBD, as necessary; and

• Monitors and evaluates the implementation of the program in coordination with CHED-OSS.

3. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)

• Monitors and report the academic performance of the grantees at the end of each Academic Year until graduation;

• Orients beneficiaries on the policies and guidelines and other requirements of the program;

• Receives the financial benefits from the CHED disbursement to the beneficiaries based on their entitlements under this program; AECacS

• Processes and releases the financial benefits to the Student-beneficiary;

• Maintains a separate book of account for the program;

• Submits status and liquidation reports to the CHED.

IV. Qualification of Grantees, Documentary Requirements and Application Procedure

1. Qualifications

1.1 High school graduate or one who has earned college academic units; and

1.2 A bonafide Sajahatra Bangsamoro beneficiary identified by the MILF through the TFBD.

2. Documentary Requirements

2.1 Form 138 (Report Card), if high school graduate; or

2.2 Certified true copy transcript of academic records, if applicant has already earned academic units in college.

3. Application Procedure

3.1 All interested applicants shall directly apply to OPAPP through the TFBD;

3.2 The MILF shall certify and endorse to the OPAPP through the TFBD duly accomplished application forms with complete supporting documents of the grantees and identified HEIs and priority courses for application;

3.3 OPAPP through the TFBD shall prepare and transmit the masterlist of beneficiaries to CHED-OSS;

3.4 OSS-CHED shall endorse the listings to CHEDRO for payment of financial benefits of grantees; and

3.5 OSS-CHED shall provide the OPAPP through the TFBD the full list of grantees with award numbers.

V. Financial Benefits

Each grantee is allotted a maximum of Php5,000.00 per semester or Php10,000.00 per year to cover tuition and other fees.

VI. Conditions of the Grant

The grantee must comply with the following:

1. Enroll immediately in the semester following the approval of his/her grant in a priority courses in HEIs with recognized programs;

2. Carry a full load as prescribed in the HEIs approved curriculum;

3. Pass all his/her subjects for the continuance of the grant;

4. Complete the course enrolled in within its prescribed duration;

5. Financial benefits shall be suspended or terminated if the grantee fails to meet any of the aforementioned conditions; and

6. The grant will be automatically forfeited in the event the grantee accepts another grant from another government agency.

VII. Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism

1. CHED and other concerned agencies shall monitor the implementation of the program; and

2. Monitoring expenses shall be charged to the funds of the respective agency.

VIII. Funding

The total funding of the program in the amount of Twenty Five Million Five Hundred Sixty Thousand Pesos (Php25,560,000.00) shall be sourced from the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) and to be placed in a Trust Account, to ensure that appropriate funds is sufficient until the grantee finish his/her identified degree program.

IX. Effectivity

Upon issuance of this CMO, all concerned shall comply with the guidelines on the Sajahatra Bangsamoro Study Grant Program (SBGP).

The Implementation of this CMO shall commence effective First Semester, Academic Year 2013-2014.

For proper guidance and strict compliance of all concerned.

Issued this 19th day of June, 2013, Quezon City. DACTSH

For the Commission:

(SGD.) PATRICIA B. LICUANAN, Ph.D.Chairperson

ATTACHMENT

Enclosures to CMO No. 19, s. 2013, Re: Implementing Guidelines for the Sajahatra Bangsamoro Study Grant Program (SBGP), AY 2013-2014

A. Priority Programs — The concerned agencies in the implementation of the SBGP will ascertain that grantees are enrolled in SUCs which offer priority courses such as: Information Technology, Agriculture and related fields, Teacher Education, Science and Math, Engineering, Health Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Atmospheric Science and Environmental Science, pursuant to CMO No. 4, s. 2011 "CHED Priority Courses from SY 2011-2012 to SY 2015-2016."

B. Participating State Universities and Colleges (PSUCs)

Region IX J.H. Cerilles State College

Region X Bukidnon State University DEHaAS

Region XI Davao del Norte State College

Region XII Cotabato City State Polytechnic College

CARAGA Caraga State University

ARMM Adiong Memorial Polytechnic State College cACTaI