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November 19, 2024
10:33 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Violago 
AN ACT  
EXEMPTING QUALIFIED INDIGENT APPLICANTS FROM THE 
PAYMENT OF PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION FEES, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
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 the “Free Professional 
Examinations for Indigents Act of 2024”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State affirms labor as a primary social 
economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare. The 
State shall afford full protection to labor and promote full employment and equality of 
employment opportunities for all. Towards this end, the State shall enact measures to 
ensure that aspiring professionals are shielded from the financial burden of licensure 
examination fees. 
SECTION 3. Requirements for Availment. – For purposes of availing the benefits of 
this Act, an examinee shall secure a certification from the Department of Social Welfare 
and Development (DSWD) that he/she is a qualified indigent. Such certification shall 
be presented to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and Civil Service 
Commission (CSC), in lieu of the payment of examination fees; Provided, That a first 
time applicant may be entitled to one hundred percent (100%) of the examination fees; 
Provided, further, That in the event that the examinee needs to retake the professional 
examination, he/she shall only be entitled to assistance equivalent to fifty percent (50%) 
of the examination fee for the second take, and no other subsidy shall be given for 
further retake. 
SECTION 4. Interpretation in Favor of the Indigent Applicant. – In all cases, any 
ambiguity in the interpretation of the provisions of this Act shall be in favor of the 
applicant. No agency shall issue unduly restrictive regulations which will render 
nugatory the benefits provided under this Act. such shall constitute an administrative 
offense punishable under the Administrative Code and other pertinent laws.   
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SECTION 5. Information Dissemination Campaign. – The DSWD, PRC, and CSC, 
in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), shall conduct regular 
information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns in order to inform 
potential beneficiaries of the procedures and guidelines in availing the benefits of this 
Act.  
SECTION 6. Non-Duplication of Benefits. – Examinees who are already receiving 
similar benefits under other laws and programs of the government shall not be entitled 
to the benefits of this Act. However, nothing herein shall diminish or decrease the 
benefits received by the beneficiaries under pertinent laws, rules and regulations. 
SECTION 7. Exceptions. – The waiver of fees under this Act shall not include those 
collected in connection with an application to take other examinations, such as 
specialization examinations administered by professional organizations, and the fees 
relating to the application for a driver’s license. 
SECTION 8. Non-Authority to Charge Fees. – This Act shall not be construed as an 
implied authority for government agencies to impose or collect charges and fees in the 
discharge of their functions with regard to the administration of professional 
examinations, if no such authority is already granted under their respective charters or 
other relevant laws. 
SECTION 9. Appropriations. – An amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the respective budgetary allocations of the concerned 
government agencies, subject to the usual budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and 
regulations. Thereafter, an amount necessary for the proper implementation of this Act 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from 
the approval of this Act, the  DSWD, PRC, and CSC, shall promulgate the necessary 
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 11. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, memorandum 
orders, memorandum circulars, administrative orders, ordinances, or parts thereof, 
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby deemed repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SECTION 13. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,