Batangas Rep Funds Student Allowances to Boost Education
MANILA, Philippines — Batangas Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste has taken a bold step to support Filipino learners by personally funding P1,000 allowances for over 150,000 students in his district. This initiative, backed by his Lingkod Legarda Leviste Foundation, provides these allowances at zero cost to the government.
Starting in elementary and high schools across Nasugbu, Lian, Calatagan, Tuy, and Balayan, the program will soon extend to Calaca, Lemery, and Taal. Leviste aims to finish distributing these student allowances before the month ends, covering every student in Batangas’ 1st district.
Backing a National Student Allowance Program
This effort aligns with Leviste’s House Bill No. 27, which proposes a National Student Allowance Program. The bill suggests giving every Filipino student—from kindergarten to college—a P1,000 monthly allowance. The support is meant to help cover essential needs such as food, transportation, and school supplies, contingent on students maintaining minimum attendance.
Although the bill has gained attention for addressing a vital need, securing government funding remains a challenge amid competing priorities. To demonstrate the feasibility and impact of such a program, Leviste has invested his own resources in his district.
Impact on Students and Community
Leviste believes that providing student allowances will enhance academic performance, reduce poverty, and strengthen the country’s future competitiveness. He argues that direct assistance to students is more efficient and equitable than other government programs.
During the launch on July 11, 2025, at schools in Nasugbu, Lian, Calatagan, Tuy, and Balayan, Leviste highlighted the long distances many students travel from rural barangays just to attend school.
“Other governments already provide students free transportation and food, showing the need for this kind of educational assistance, but the students in areas that don’t have this need it even more,” he noted.
He added, “Spending on education is an investment in our country’s future, and doing so through allowances conditional on attendance ensures that funding directly and efficiently benefits the students. I hope that showing the benefits of this in Batangas will help justify this program for the whole country.”
Leviste further emphasized, “A lack of budget for basic needs should not be an obstacle for any child’s education. I’ve been very fortunate in life, and I hope to now share what I have to help solve the problems in our country’s education sector.”
From Billionaire Entrepreneur to Public Servant
Leviste, recognized as the country’s youngest billionaire entrepreneur, shifted his focus to public service in 2024 after selling a controlling stake in Solar Philippines New Energy Corporation to Meralco for P34 billion. Now serving in Congress, he dedicates his efforts to expanding educational support programs to break the cycle of poverty in the Philippines.
Through his actions, Leviste hopes to inspire more initiatives that aid Filipino students and strengthen education nationwide.
For more news and updates on student allowances, visit Filipinokami.com.
