ORIENTATION JOINT MEMORANDUM CIRCULARS ON THE IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES

ORIENTATION JOINT MEMORANDUM CIRCULARS ON THE “IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES OF TULONG DUNONG PROGRAM IN CHED AND IN SUCs”

Section 1. POLICY STATEMENT CHED § § § SUCs § § § RA No. 7722 or ”Higher Education Act of 1994” Special Provision No. 5, Volume 1 -B, CHED Budget of the Republic Act No. 10924 or General Appropriations Act of FY 2017 Conditional implementation in the President’s Veto Message Fiscal Year 2017 on December 22, 2016 RA No. 7722 or ”Higher Education Act of 1994” Special Provision No. 5 Applicable to SUCs, Volume 1 -A of the Republic Act No. 10924 or General Appropriations Act of FY 2017 Conditional implementation in the President’s Veto Message Fiscal Year 2017 on December 22, 2016

SECTION 2. PROGRAM TITLE CHED-Tulong Dunong Program (CHED-TDP) SUCs-Tulong Dunong Program (SUCs-TDP)

SECTION 3. OBJECTIVE CHED To provide financial assistance to deserving students. SUCs To exclusively use the financial assistance to qualified and deserving students.

SECTION 4. COVERAGE CHED SUCs Ongoing grantees and new applicants

SECTION 5. FINANCIAL BENEFITS CHED Twelve Thousand Pesos (Php 12, 000. 00) grant per academic year SUCs Ongoing grantees shall be entitled to same amount of financial benefits they received prior to the approval of this JMC

SECTION 6. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS CHED SUCs ü Filipino citizen; ü High school graduates; With earned units in higher education with at least a passing general weighted average (GWA); or Passer of ALS/PEPT; and ü Combined annual gross income of parents/guardian not to exceed Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Ph. P 300, 000. 00). In highly exceptional cases where income exceeds Php 300, 000. 00, the CHEDRO Stu. FAPs Committee shall determine the merits of the application.

Section 7. APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

7. 1 APPLICATION PROCEDURES CHED Applicant submits CHED-TDP Application Form to the CHEDRO with the required documents 120 days before the start of academic year applied Applicant submits SUCs-TDP Application Form to the SUCs with the required documents 120 days before the start of academic year applied CHEDRO evaluates the documents, prepares masterlist and selects the qualified applicants SUCs evaluates the documents, prepares masterlist and selects the qualified applicants CHEDRO sends Notice of Award (NOA) Applicant accepts the NOA SUCs issues Notice of Award (NOA)

7. 2 DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS CHED SUCs High School Report Card – For Incoming Freshmen students eligible for college Duly certified copy of grades for the latest semester/term attended – For Applicants with Earned Units in higher education Duly certified copy of ALS Accreditation and Equivalency Test Passer Certificate – ALS Passer Duly certified copy of PEPT Certificate of Advancing to the Next Level – PEPT Passer

7. 2 DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS INCOME REQUIREMENTS CHED Any one of the following: SUCs Latest ITR and BIR Form 2316; Certificate of Tax Exemption from BIR; Certificate of Indigency from their Barangay; Certificate of Indigency/Case Study from DSWD; ü Social Case Study conducted by SUC may be considered; or ü Latest copy of contract or proof of income - for children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and seafarers. ü ü

Section 8. PAYMENT OF GRANT AND DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

Section 8. PAYMENT OF GRANT AND DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS PAYMENT OF GRANT CHED The payment of financial benefits shall be based on Section 5. 0; and CHEDROs shall transfer financial benefits to grantees through HEIs. SUCs The payment of financial benefits shall be made directly to the grantees based on Section 5. 0 through issuance of check or Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

Section 8. PAYMENT OF GRANT AND DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS CHED Enter into a MOA with participating HEIs The HEIs must submit billing statement SUCs For initial payment, Registration Form/Certified Enrolment list of SUCs-TDP beneficiaries, photocopy of ATM Card and School I. D. for current semester/term. For succeeding payment, Registration Form for current semester/term and certified true copy of grades indicating the GWA from previous semester/term.

SECTION 9. REQUIREMENTS TO COMPLIED WITH BY THE GRANTEES CHED BE SUCs Pass the admission requirements Enroll in recognized programs of Private HEIs and LUCs or authorized programs of SUCs Maintain a GWA of at least a passing grade; Carry a normal load per term Transfer only to duly Shift only to duly authorized HEIs or programs upon written approval Shift to recognized /authorized of SUCs; programs of HEIs May not avail of any government funded assistance except free tuition fee, if enrolled in SUCs or LUCs.

Section 10. CONDITIONS ON REPLACEMENT AND TERMINATION

SECTION 10. 1 REPLACEMENT OF GRANTEE CHED SUCs 10. 1 may be allowed within a given academic year 10. 1. 1 Failure to confirm acceptance within fifteen working days upon receipt of the NOA 10. 1. 2 Voluntary withdrawal of grant 10. 1. 3. Transfer to a program not identified as recognized programs of Private HEIs and LUCs or authorized programs of SUC 10. 1. 4 Dropped-out from school without notice 10. 1. 5 Waived the grant.

SECTION 10. 2 GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION, FAILURE TO: CHED SUCs Enroll in recognized programs of Enroll in the authorized Private HEIs and LUCs or authorized programs of SUCs Maintain a GWA of at least a passing grade Carry a normal load per term Secure approval from CHEDRO Secure approval from concerned on dropping out from SUCs on dropping out school, deferment of the grant, from school, deferment of transferring to another program or HEI; the grant, transferring to and/or another program; or Submit authentic documents.

SECTION 11. FUND SOURCE, RELEASE AND DISBURSEMENTS CHED SUCs FY 2017 budget of CHED FY 2017 budget of SUCs Four Billion Seven Hundred Fifty-Two Million Twenty-Two Thousand Pesos (P 4, 752, 022, 000. 00) One Billion Six Hundred Twenty-Three Million One Hundred Forty. Three Thousand Pesos (P 1, 623, 143, 000. 00)

SECTION 11. FUND SOURCE, RELEASE AND DISBURSEMENTS CHED SUCs Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA): ü Physical Plan; ü Financial Plan; and ü Monthly Disbursement Program Utilization of the fund shall be subjected to the usual budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations. This shall not be recorded or treated as trust fund receipts under any circumstance

SECTION 11. FUND SOURCE, RELEASE AND DISBURSEMENTS CHED SUCs All unreleased appropriations and unobligated allotments in the implementation of this program shall be reverted to the General Fund at the end of the validity of appropriations and shall be available for expenditure only upon subsequent legislative enactment.

SECTION 12. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES CHED One Percent (1%) Administrative Costs to cover: ü hiring of project technical staff or job order ü meetings/consultations/ orientations/general assembly ü office supplies and materials, communication, monitoring ü transportation/travel SUCs NOT APPLICABLE

SECTION 13. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE IMPLEMENTERS CHED CO a. Program advocacy materials and conducts relevant activities; b. Releases the amount requested by CHEDROs supported by approved list of grantees; c. Maintains a database d. Monitors the implementation of the program; and CHEDRO DBM HEIs a. Creates CHEDRO a. Releases the SARO a. Creates a Stu. FAPs and NCA directly Unit and designate Committee to CHED. appropriate b. Accepts, screens Coordinator; and evaluates b. Allows advance documents of the enrolment of the applicants; grantees and early c. Determines release of their qualified grades; applicants; c. Provides assistance d. Issues NOA to to the grantees qualified compliance of the applicants required documents; e. Orients the grantees

SECTION 13. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE IMPLEMENTERS CHED CO CHEDRO e. Ensures f. Submits to OSDS the posting request for payment; in the g. Enters into a MOA with official concerned HEIs; website h. Obligates financial benefits of grantees; i. Facilitates the timely release of the financial benefits ; ; j. Maintains an updated database; k. Acts on replacement, transfer and termination of award; DBM HEIs d. Enters into a MOA with CHEDROs; e. Submits to CHEDRO the billing statement; f. Receives Advice to Debit Account from CHEDROs; g. Collects from the grantees the required TOSF and release to the grantees the remaining amount if any, for their educational expenses; and

SECTION 13. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE IMPLEMENTERS CHED CO CHEDRO l. Submits physical and financial utilization report; m. Monitors participating HEIs and grantees; n. Ensures posting in the official website of CHEDRO concerned the list of their CHED-TDP grantees; and o. Submits updated data on status of grantees and required reports DBM HEIs h. Submits to CHEDRO data on beneficiaries as needed.

SECTION 13. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE IMPLEMENTERS SUCs SUC CHED DBM a. Creates Stu. FAPs Committee ; a. Monitors a. Releases b. Accepts, screens and evaluates submission the SARO documents of the applicants; of reports to and NCA c. Determines qualified applicants; DBM and directly to d. Issues NOA to qualified Congress. SUCs. applicants; e. Orients the grantees; f. Submits to DBM the special budget request; g. Receives SARO and NCA for disbursement to the grantees;

SECTION 13. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE IMPLEMENTERS SUCs SUC h. Obligates one academic year allocation of grantees; i. Facilitates the timely release of the financial benefits of the grantees; j. Maintains an updated database; k. Acts on replacement, transfer and termination of award; l. Submits quarterly reports on the utilization of funds, including the lists of beneficiaries; and m. Ensures posting in the official website of SUCs concerned the list of their SUCs-TDP grantees. CHED DBM

Section 14. TIMELINE APPLICATION AND SELECTION PARTICULARS RESPONSIBLE PERSON/OFFICE SCHEDULE Submission of CHEDTDP/SUCs-TDP Application Form with supporting documents Studentapplicant 120 days before the start of academic year applied CHED SUCs √ √ Evaluation of CHEDTDP/SUCs-TDP applications CHEDRO/SUCs Within seven Stu. FAPs working days upon Coordinator receipt of application √ √ Issues NOA to qualified grantees and inform those not awarded of the status of their application CHEDROs/SUCs √ √ Within seven working days upon qualification

Section 14. TIMELINE RELEASE AND DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS PARTICULARS RESPONSIBLE OFFICE SCHEDULE Submission of a special budget request with supporting documents CHED/SUCs Within 15 days upon approval of the guidelines √ √ DBM Within five working days upon receipt of request √ √ CHEDROs Within 15 days after enrolment √ n/a CHED Central Within 15 days upon Office submission of request √ n/a Release of SARO/NCA Submission of fund request with Masterlist Fund Transfer to CHEDROs CHED SUCs

Section 14. TIMELINE PAYMENT OF GRANT PARTICULARS RESPONSIBLE OFFICE Submission of HEIs Billing Statement HEIs Submission of complete requirements Obligate funds for one academic year Grantee SCHEDULE Within 15 days after the enrolment Within 30 days upon submission of request CHEDROs/SUCs Within 15 days upon receipt of the required documents Disbursement of CHEDROs/SUCs Within 15 days upon receipt of required documents funds to HEIs based subject to availability of on Section 5. 0 Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) CHED SUCs √ n/a √ √ SAA √ √ SARO n/a

Section 14. TIMELINE COMPLIANCE TO REQUIRED DOCUMENTS PARTICULARS CHED-TDP/ SUCs-TDP Database Masterlist Status Reports RESPONSIBLE SCHEDULE CHED SUCs OFFICE CHEDRO/SUCs Within 30 days √ √ after the start of class SUCs Within 30 days n/a √ after the start of class CHEDRO/SUCs Within 30 days √ √ after the semester

RESOLUTION OF ISSUES Interpretation of the provisions in this CHED Section 15 Joint Memorandum Circular, including cases not covered herein shall be referred to the CHED Central Office for resolution by the CHED, HEIs and DBM. SAME SUCs Section 14 …… by the CHED, SUCs and DBM.

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY CHED – Section 16 SUCs – Section 15 The agencies concerned shall adopt a strict policy on transparency and accountability in the disbursement of the funds and shall be governed by the existing laws. Submit quarterly reports on the utilization of funds either in printed or electronic form to the DBM, Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate of the Philippines, the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY CHED – Section 16 SUCs – Section 15 In addition, the CHED and the recipient Higher Education Institution (HEI) shall post on their website the following: The President of the SUCs and web administrators or their equivalent shall be responsible for ensuring that said quarterly reports are likewise posted on the SUCs website. i. Recipient HEI and number of grantees enrolled therein; and Name of all grantees in each HEI. ii. The heads of agencies and web administrators or their equivalent shall be responsible for ensuring that said information are posted on the agencies’ websites.

SEPARABILITY CLAUSE CHED Section 17 If for any reason, any part or provision of this Joint Memorandum Circulars is SUCs declared invalid or Section 16 unconstitutional, any part or provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

REPEALING CLAUSE CHED Section 18 SUCs Section 17 All or other issuances that are inconsistent with this Joint Memorandum Circulars are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

EFFECTIVITY CHED This Joint Memorandum Section 19 Circulars shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. SUCs Section 18 Signed this 24 th day of May, 2017.

SIGNATORIES CHED PATRICIA B. LICUANAN, Ph. D. (SGD) Chairperson, CHED SUCs BENJAMIN E. DIOKNO, Ph. D. Secretary, DBM

TDP FORMS CHED SUCs Annex A-CHED-TDP Application Form Annex A-SUCs-TDP Application Form Annex B-CHED-TDP Notice of Award Annex B-SUCs-TDP Notice of Award CHED-TDP Masterlist SUCs-TDP Masterlist CHED-TDP Database SUCs-TDP Database CHED-TDP HEIs Billing Statement CHED-TDP MOA with HEIs

THANK YOU

Q & A Who may apply for CHED-TDP? Students who are enrolled or will enroll in the recognized/authorized programs of higher education institutions Is there any possibility that both new and old students will receive the same amount? As provided in Section 5, new grantees will receive 12 K/AY while the old grantees will receive the same amount of financial benefits they received during the previous semesters (6 K/AY, 9 K/AY or 12 K/AY) as stipulated in CMO 13, s. 2014.

Q & A Who will issue the award number? CHEDROs will issue the award number following the prescribed format (Prog. Name. Award. No-AYCode-Reg. Code) ex. CHEDTDP 000001 -17 -01 What is the validity of the Notice of Award (NOA)? For budget purposes, NOA is valid for AY 2017 -2018 only because the appropriations depends on the approval of the GAA.

Q & A Will the grantees receive the whole amount of 12 K financial benefits until December 31, 2017? Payment of financial benefits will depend on the compliance of HEIs. Financial benefits will be obligated for one academic year but payment of financial benefits will depend upon the compliance of HEIs on documentary requirements Payment must be made per semester, hence, in the case of 2 nd semester starts on January the following year or with trimester payment can be claimed the following year

Q & A Can an ongoing grantees’ financial benefits be increased/promoted from 6, 000/ay to 12, 000/ay or be classified from ongoing to new? NO, follow the guidelines. The provision stated in Section 6, to wit: “In highly exceptional cases where income exceeds Php 300, 000. 00 the Stu. FAPs Committee shall determine the merits of the application” might be abused. CHEDROs will evaluate thoroughly the merits of the application and not to take advantage of the said provision. e. g. number of siblings, medical reasons, job displacement, etc…

Q & A What will be the basis of CHEDROs? the fund transfer to For ongoing grantees - complete list of grantees enrolled in AY 2017 -2018 signed by CHEDRO Officials While basis of fund transfer for new grantees shall be the approved slot/fund allocation for AY 20172018.

Q & A What are the safety nets to ensure that the money will go directly to the students? Effective AY 2017 -2018 payment of grant shall be made through the HEIs. How can you ensure that the money given to the students will be spent in their tuition fee and other school fees and not in the bars, etc…? The HEIs will collect the required TOSF and release to the grantees the remaining amount for their educational expenses.

Q & A How can you verify that the names on your masterlists are real students? Payment will be made through the HEIs. After which, CHED will conduct monitoring and evaluation to do random check if students are indeed enrolled in the HEIs. Names of the grantees per HEI will be posted in the CHED website.

Q & A Any limits to the slot allocation? Depends on the budget allocation by region as approved by the CEB/Mancom. How many slots per Cong? And budget limitation? Depends on the allocation by district.

Q & A How to respond to letters/recommendations from legislators? NO paper trail Until when can the student apply for CHED-TDP? If classes starts on June 13, 2017, application should end on May 30, 2017, but due to the late issuance of the JMC the application will be extended until July 30, 2017 If classes starts on August 15, 2017, application will end on July 30, 2017

Q & A Can CHEDROs advertise the CHED-TDP? NO need to advertise the program. Who will select the beneficiaries of the program? Recommendees must comply the requirements stated in the guidelines. Where to download the Slots/Funds for ARMM ? CHED – ARMM.

Q & A How to prepare physical/financial reports on allotment, obligations and disbursements? Allotment-based on the total slot/fund requested and fund transferred to CHEDROs. Obligation-based on the total actual slot/fund obligated by CHEDRO for one academic year from the allotted slot/fund. Obligation Rate = Obligations/Allotment Disbursement-based on the total actual slot/fund paid from the obligations. Disbursement Rate = Disbursement/Obligations Sample: CHEDRO I (new & ongoing) Allotment: 7, 145 slots / P 85, 740, 000 Obligation: 6, 000 slots / P 72, 000 (Obli. Rate-83. 97%) Disbursement: 5, 000 slots / P 30, 000 (Disb. Rate is 41. 66%)