Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 6379

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Educated people are the face of a progressive nation. A government that
provides sustainable and quality education to its citizens leads the nation to a bright
future. As the Philippine Constitution provides the responsibility of the government to
provide quality education as its strong foundation (Art.14)1, we as citizens have the
right to ask and receive it free so that poverty can be eliminated,

The system of free public education in the Philippines has long been in existence
as established by the Malolos Constitution and the Republic Act No. 6655 for basic and
secondary. However, tertiary education in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) has
never been fully subsidized? despite the yearly increase from the national budget for
education, The government budget allocated for it remained the lowest among the three
and so become a hindrance for some insufficient family income to enter and finish
college.

Education has a high impact on income and employment. A college graduate can
be compensated twice or even thrice compared to a high school graduate and this
difference is a good reason to invest in tertiary education.3

This bill directs the State to increase the budget for tertiary education and
provide full tuition subsidy for students enrolled in SUCs. This will pave the way to the
realization of the Philippine Development Plan for providing higher and competitive
education. Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is urged.

LFREDO D. VARGAS III

* 1987 Philippine Constituion
? Data from CHED
* National Center on Education and the Economy


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No,_6379

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A FULL TUITION SUBSIDY FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN
STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES (SUCs), AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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 “Tuition-Free Higher Education Act of 2015.”

Sec. 2, Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared that accessible and quality education
is an inalienable right of the Filipino. Therefore, the State shall renew its constitutionally
mandated duty to make education its top budgetary priority by providing tuition-free higher
education courses in state universities and colleges.

Sec. 3. Eligibility to the Full Tuition Subsidy. All Filipino citizens who are either currently
enrolled at the time of effectivity of this Act, or shall enroll at any time thereafter, in course in
pursuance of a bachelor’s degree, certificate degree, or any comparable undergraduate degree in
any state university or college shall be exempt from paying tuition fees: Provided, That they meet
the admission requirements of the SUCs where they intend to enroll in.

Sec. 4. Special Tuition Subsidy Fund. - The Special Tuition Subsidy Fund, hereinafter
referred to as the Fund, is hereby established. The Fund shall be used solely for the purpose of
implementing the full tuition subsidy under the provisions of this Act. Tuition fees for units
enrolled by persons eligible for the tuition benefit under the provisions of this Act, payable to
state universities and colleges, shall be paid from this Fund.

Sec. 5. Administration of the Fund.- The Fund shall be administered by the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) and shall have the following powers and functions:

a) Manage and administer the Fund;

b) Devise a reporting mechanism to be implemented by the state universities and colleges
which will detail the exact amount of tuition fee subsidy availed of by persons eligible for
the full tuition fee subsidy availed of by persons eligible for the full tuition subsidy under
this Act;

©). Formulate and implement an efficient and transparent mechanism to ensure the payment
of tuition fees, using money from the Fund, to the respective state universities and
colleges, pursuant to the provisions of this Act;


d) Resolve and mediate disputes concerning the ineligibility or disqualification of persons
from the full tuition subsidy under the provisions of this Act or any other provision of
Jaw; and

e) Any other powers or functions necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this
‘Act.

Sec.6. Tuition Report - The President of each state university or college shall submit to the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), within five (5) days after the last day of late
registration for each semester, a report detailing the names of persons eligible for the full tuition
subsidy in their institution, as well as the amount of tuition fee due based on the number of units
enrolled.

Sec.7. Payment from the Fund, - The CHED shall ensure the full payment of tuition fees due
to the state university or college, as reported under the next preceding section of this Act, no later
than thirty (30) days after the submission of the report to the CHED: Provided, That the CHED
shall reserve the right to withhold or disallow the payment of any reported fees which are
perceived to be anomalous or irregular until further investigation has been conducted.

Sec. 8, Accountability Report. - At the end of each academic semester, the President of each
state university or college shall submit to the CHED a report reconciling the funds received from
the Fund. Any unused or improperly disbursed amount shall be returned immediately to the
Fund.

Sec. 9. Midterm Report. - Starting the first school year upon the effectivity of this Act, the
CHED shall conduct a mandatory review and submit a midterm report to Congress as to the status
of implementation of this Act.

In this midterm report, the following key metrics of access to and quality of public tertiary
education:

a) Enrollment rate;

b) Student demographics;

©) Graduation rate;

d) Gross tuition receipts;

€) Disqualification and ineligibility;

f) Teachers’ welfare and training profiles;

g) Adequacy of funding requirements; and

h) Other educational quality indicators, including but not limited to physical learning
infrastructure, teacher-to-student ratio, and student housing.

Sec, 10. Appropriations, - The amount necessary to carry out the implementation of this
‘Act shall be initially charged against the fifty percent (50%) share of the National Government
from the annual gross income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
Thereafter, such amounts necessary to effectively carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 11, Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within (60) days from the effectivity of this
‘Act, the CHED shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations necessary to ensure the
efficient and effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 12. Separability Clause. - Should any part of this Act be declared unconstitutional, the
rest of the provisions of this Act shall continue to be in effect and subsisting.

Sec, 13. Repealing Clause. - ‘The provisions of other laws, decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.


Sec .14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette and/or in at least two (2) national newspapers in general circulation.

Approved,