Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

28

HOUSE BILL NO.

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.

or V. DEL MAR



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__28

Introduced by: REP. RAUL V. DEL MAR.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AND PROVIDING FOR FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION IN
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND FOR OTHER
PUROSES

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 information and
Communications College Education Act of 2013".

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 benefits of a democratic society.

SEC. 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act:

(a) “Free College Education” shall mean any two-year college degree course
or program in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) offered in or
conducted by State colleges and universities;

(b) “State Colleges and Universities” refers to institutions of higher learning,
including specialized schools, maintained and funded by government;

(c) ‘Qualified Beneficiaries” shall mean all graduates of public high schools;


(d) “Tuition Fee” shall refer to the fee representing direct costs of instruction
and training facilities;

(e) ‘Other Schoo! Fees” refers to those fees which cover the other necessary
costs supportive of instruction, including, but not limited to medical and dental,
athletic, library, and laboratory fees;

However, fees related to membership in students’ organizations or college
activities may be collected, provided that non-payment of these fees shall not in any
case prejudice the enrollment or graduation of a qualified beneficiary.

SEC. 4. Implementation of Free College Education. - The system of Free
College Education as provided in this Act, shall commence in the School Year
following approval of this Act. Qualified beneficiaries intending to enroll or already
enrolled in ICT course offerings in state colleges and universities shall be free from
payment of tuition and other school fees and shall be entitled to such other
incentives or subsidies as may be granted in accordance with such rules and
regulations to be promulgated to carry out the provisions of this Act: Provided, that
nothing in this Act shall cause or authorize the reduction or removal of any benefit
which the national or local government may be granted to the students prior to the
enactment of this Act.

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

SEC. 6. Limitation. - The right of any student to avail of free college
education shall terminate if he fails for two (2) consecutive semesters in the majority
of the subjects in which he is enrolled during the course of his study.

SEC. 7. Place of Study and Admission. - The qualified beneficiary shall take
his free college education in state colleges or universities of his choice situated in the
city or province where he resides.


Should there be no state college or university in the city or province where he
resides or where the university or college facilities cannot accommodate all qualified
beneficiaries, the student may take his free college benefit in any college or
university within the region nearest to his place or residence. In the absence of
public universities or colleges within the region of his residence, the qualified student
beneficiary may avail of the privilege in any public or state college or university in
any nearest to the province where he resides.

SEC. 8. - Obligations of State Colleges. - The State colleges or universities
have the obligation to admit qualified beneficiaries, subject only to limitation of
funding and facilities. A violation of this obligation shall constitute a ground for
dismissal of the school authorities concerned.

SEC. 9. - Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The CHED, in
coordination with the association of state colleges and universities, shall issue the
necessary implementing rules and regulations within one hundred twenty (120) days
from effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 10. - Funding. - Adequate funds shall be earmarked by the President
from available funds in the National Treasury for the initial implementation of this Act.
The President shall likewise utilize for the purpose available funds or saving of the
CHED or the Department of Education. Funds needed for the ensuring fiscal year for
the implementation of this Act shall be included in the appropriations of State
universities and colleges in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. - Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts thereof inconsistent with any
provision of this Act shall be deemed repealed or modified as the case may be,

SEC. 12. - Effectivity. - The Act shall take effect immediately upon its
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,