Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FREE EDUCATION TO SENIOR CITIZENS 
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The role of senior citizens in the Filipino family and in nation-building 
are valuable and are recognized by the State, with laws such as the Expanded 
Senior Citizens Act of 2003 and 2010 among others. 
Similarly, quality education for all is fervently valued by the State as 
well. Sec. 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall 
promote the “right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall 
take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all,” calling for 
the establishment of a “complete, adequate and integrated system of 
education relevant to the needs of the people and society.” 
This bill seeks to affirm our recognition of the invaluable 
contributions of senior citizens and support those who have yet to gain 
access to education or are interested to continue their academic journey. 
It is the hope of this measure to support the dreams of every Filipino, 
regardless of age, for quality education. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
REP. PM VARGAS   
Fifth District, Quezon City 
August 16, 2022
8:01 am
3639


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FREE EDUCATION TO SENIOR CITIZENS 
AND PROVIDING 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 “Free Education 
for Senior Citizens Act.”  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy – It is the State’s duty to provide its 
citizens access to quality education regardless of their age. 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. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following 
terms and phrases shall apply: 
(a) Public School refers to any school, primary, secondary or tertiary
educational institution, which receives regular funding from the
government.
(b) Senior Citizen refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least
sixty (60) years old.
SECTION 4. 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 they wish to enroll in.  
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No additional academic requirements shall be imposed on Senior Citizens to 
avail of the exemption from payment of tuition fees under this Act.  
 
SECTION 5. 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 
formulate 
the 
necessary 
implementing rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of 
this Act. 
 
SECTION 6. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to effectively 
implement the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Non-Impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or 
made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under 
existing laws. 
 
SECTION 8.  Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall continue 
to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential 
decrees, presidential proclamations, letters of instruction, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation in the Philippines. 
 
Approved,