HOUSE W REPRESENTATIVES

Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECEIVED
Quezon City
DATE: _3.0 JUN 2ni6.
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS TIME: _ BD,
First Regular Session BY!

REGISTRATION UNIT
33

HOUSE BILL NO, BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

Introduced by: REP. RAUL V. DEL MAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitutions mandates not only that quality education must be provided
by the State to all qualified citizens ~ the poor and the underprivileged in particular ~
at all levels of education, but that it must likewise put in place a system of education
geared towards establishing and making available a continuing pool of trained
manpower for the country's development efforts.

Within the context of this constitutional policy, the Bill seeks to provide free
college education in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), a two-year
college degree course, to all high school graduates of public schools. These
beneficiaries would have the right to choose the public or state college or university
of his choice within the city, province or region, as the case maybe, for purposes
enjoying the free college education benefit. In the same vein, the college authorities
are obligated, under pain of administrative sanctions, to admit the qualified
beneficiaries.

Given the present business that places a premium on formal post-secondary
education or college training, and given the sheer number of graduates of our public
school system, this proposed legislation is a first concrete step towards providing the
deserving demands of a highly competitive marketplace.

In this context, approval of the Bill is earnestly sought.

{ ON

RAUL Vs DEL MAR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 33

Introduced by: REP, RAUL V. DEL MAR

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AND PROVIDING FOR FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION IN INFORMATION
AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY IN STATE UNIVERSITIS AND COLLEGES AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Title, - This Act shall be known as the “Free College information
and Communications Technology Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to provide quality
education to all qualified citizens at all levels of education and to establish a system
of grants, subsidies and incentives which shall be available to deserving students,
especially the poor and underprivileged, in order to enable them to truly participate
in the development of a democratic society and share in the benefits therefrom.

SEC. 3. Definitions. - As used in this Act:

(a) Free college education refers to any college degree course or program in
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) offered in or conducted by state

universities and colleges (SUCS);


(b) Other school fees refer to fees which cover the other necessary costs
supportive of instruction such as medical and dental, athletic, library and laboratory
fees’

(c) Qualified beneficiaries refer to persons who have completed secondary
education in public high schools;

(d) State universities and colleges refer to institutions of higher learning,
including specialized schools, maintained and funded by the national government;
and

(e) Tuition fee refers to the fee representing direct costs of instruction and

training facilities.

SEC. 4. Implementation of Free ICT College Education. - The free ICT College
Education program as provided in this Act, shall commence in the school year
following approval of this Act.

Qualified beneficiaries intending to enroll or who are already enrolled in ICT
course offerings in SUCs shall be exempted from the payment of tuition and other
school fees and shall be entitled to such other incentives or subsidies as may be
granted in accordance with the rules and regulations to be promulgated to carry out
the provisions of this Act, However, fees related to membership in student
organizations or college activities may be collected: Provided, That nonpayment of
these fees shall not in any case prejudice the enrollment or graduation of a qualified
beneficiary: Provided, further, That nothing in this Act shall cause or authorize the
reduction or removal of any benefit which the national or local government may
grant to qualified beneficiaries prior to the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5. Formulation of ICT Curriculum. - The Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) shall formulate a college curriculum geared to provide students with highly
competitive trainings or skills consistent with the manpower demands of a highly
competitive business environment.

SEC. 6. Disqualification. - In case of failure in the majority of the subjects

enrolled in during the course of the study for two (2) consecutive semesters, the


student-beneficiary shall be disqualified from availment of the free ICT college
education.

SEC. 7. Place of Study and Admission. - The qualified beneficiary shall take
the free ICT college education in the chosen SUC situated in the city or province of
residence of the student.

Should there be no SUC in the city or province where the qualified beneficiary
resides, or school the university or college facilities therein be unable to
accommodate all qualified beneficiaries, a student may avail of the free college
benefit in any SUC within the region. In the absence of SUCs within the region where
a qualified beneficiary is residing, enrollment in any SUC in the nearest region may be
allowed.

SEC. 8, Penal Provision. - Ir shall be unlawful for any SUC to refuse admission
of any qualified beneficiary for any reason other than the limitation of funds and
facilities. Any higher education institution (HEI) official or employee found violating
the provisions of this section shall be subject to suspension.

In addition, the CHED may impose disciplinary action or sanctions against an
HEI official or employee violating this Act pursuant to Section 13 of Republic Act No.
7722, otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994”,

SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions
of this Act shall be included in the appropriations of SUCs in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the CHED, in coordination with the association of SUCs,
shall promulgate the rules and regulations implementing its provisions.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - \f any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or the provisions not affected thereby
shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts thereof inconsistent with any

provision of this Act shall be deemed repealed or modified accordingly.


SEC. 13. Effectivity. - The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,