Section 7
SEC. 7. A new Section 7-C is hereby inserted to read as follows: "SEC. 7-C. Monitoring, Evaluation, Assessment, Validation, and Quality Assurance of the TES. - The UniFAST Board shall: (a) Formulate and issue the policies, standards, and guidelines for a monitoring, assessment, evaluation, and validation system to ensure that TES grants are received by qualified beneficiaries in accordance with Section 7 hereof, including guidelines on appropriate sanctions for misappropriation of TES funds, which shall be imposed and implemented by the CHEd and TESDA; (b) In consultation with the DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DSDW, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and other relevant stakeholders, formulate and issue the policies and minimum standards for a single learner reference code system from secondary through tertiary education to enable early identification of learners backgrounds, as well as proper and regular targeting, tracking, and monitoring of all TES beneficiaries; (c) Formulate and issue the framework and minimum standards for an information and outreach system that proactively notifies secondary education learners from 4Ps households that they are given priority for the TES program, informs learners from economically disadvantaged backgrounds of available education learners on tertiary education options, career pathways, and priority programs, consistent with the provisions of Republic Act No. 11206 or the 'Secondary School Career Guidance and Counseling Act'; (d) In consultation with the DBM, Anti-Red Tape Authority, and Commission on Audit, formulate and issue the policies and guidelines for an efficient and streamlined disbursement mechanism, including the provision of reasonable administrative support costs to educational institutions, to ensure that TES beneficiaries receive their grants without undue delay and in time to cover the expenses for which the subsidies are intended; (e) Formulate and issue the policies and minimum standards for prioritizing beneficiaries, monitoring, and evaluating the academic progress and retention rates of TES grantees, in coordination with the HEIs and relevant stakeholders; and (f) Conduct or commission regular impact evaluation studies at least every four (4) years to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the TES program in achieving its objectives. To ensure the effective implementation of the policies under this section, the UniFAST Board shall supervise the implementation of the TES by the CHED and TESDA and shall require both agencies to submit quarterly reports for this purpose. The CHED, TESDA, and UniFAST secretariat shall determine and be provided with the additional plantilla positions and other personnel complement as may be necessary to ensure the effective administration and implementation of the programs, subject to the evaluation and approval of the DBM, and in accordance with civil service rules and regulations."