Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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HOUSE BILL No. 4901

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section 1, of the 1987 Constitution provides that,

“The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality
education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education
accessible to all.”

Hence, it is the constitutional duty of the State to provide education to all
persons regardless of their age. It is imperative to give to our senior citizens free
education in order to help them achieve the goals and educational gain that they
failed to attain during their younger years.

As a signatory to the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education
(1960) and Article 13 and Article 14 on Economic, Social and Cultural right, it is our
international obligation to provide full and equal opportunities to education to all
persons. The mandate of this convention is comprehensive enough to cover not just
those who are in their formative years but also those who were not able to have
access to it during their time; accessibility must be in law and in fact, without
prejudice on any prohibited grounds; it must have economic accessibility, as it is
provided in the convention that the State parties must progressively introduce free
education in all levels and for all ages. Right to education occupies a great part in
the exercise of other human rights and for one’s development.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.___ 4901

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

AN ACT PROVIDING FREE EDUCATION TO SENIOR CITIZENS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1: Short Title - This act shall be known as "Free Education for
Seniors Act".

SECTION 2: Declaration of Policy - It is the State's duty to provide its citizens
access to quality education regardless of their age. The state shall establish,
maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education
relevant to the needs of the people and society. This bill seeks to ensure that quality
education is made available to Senior Citizens by exempting them from the payment
of tuition fees in any public school.

SECTION 3: Exemption from the payment of tuition fees - Senior Citizens as
defined in this Act shall be exempt from paying tuition fees in any public school in
the Philippines.

Senior Citizens availing of this exemption shall still be required to comply with
the minimum admission requirements of the school he/she wishes to enroll in.

No additional academic requirements shall be imposed on Senior Citizens to
avail of the exemption from payment of tuition fees under this Act.

SECTION 4: Who are considered Senior Citizens - For the purpose of availing
the exemption from payment of tuition fees under this Act, any Filipino who is
already sixty (60) years old or older shall be considered a Senior Citizen.

SECTION 5: Which schools are considered public - For the purposes of this
Act, any school which receives regular funding from the government shall be
considered a public school.

SECTION 6: Implementing rules and regulations - Within thirty (30) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education together with the
Commission on Higher Education, shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations to further carry out this Act.

SECTION 7: Separability clause - If any part or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts thereof not affected thereby
shall remain valid.


SECTION 8: Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulation
or part thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly,

SECTION 9: Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
upon completion of its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,