Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste has begun distributing P1,000 allowances to over 150,000 public school students in his district, using personal funds through his Lingkod Legarda Leviste Foundation.
The initiative, Legarda said, aims to demonstrate the viability and impact of his proposed National Student Allowance Program.
Elementary and high school students in Nasugbu, Lian, Calatagan, Tuy, and Balayan received cash assistance on July 11, with upcoming distributions scheduled in Calaca, Lemery, and Taal. The full rollout is expected to be completed within the month—at no cost to government.
“This is not charity—it’s a proof of concept,” said Leviste. “I want to show the national government that student allowances are an efficient, high-impact way to invest in our youth and our future.”
The move follows Leviste’s filing of House Bill No. 27, which seeks to grant P1,000 monthly to every student from kindergarten to college. The proposed law would require students to maintain a minimum attendance rate and is designed to cover food, transportation, and school supplies.
While the bill has drawn attention, it faces tough fiscal hurdles. “There are many competing priorities, but education should never take the backseat,” Leviste said.
At school visits across the district, the young lawmaker noted how far students walk just to attend classes. “If other countries can offer free meals and transportation, why can’t we?” he asked. “Especially in rural areas like ours, these kids need the help even more.”
He stressed that targeted aid—conditional on attendance—would directly benefit learners. “Spending on education is spending on the future. Let’s make sure that every peso goes straight to where it matters: the students,” he said.
Leviste, who sold his controlling stake in Solar Philippines for P34 billion in 2024, entered public service to focus on poverty reduction and education. Now the country’s youngest billionaire-turned-congressman, he hopes his Batangas pilot can pave the way for national reform.
