Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is every one’s right to have direct access to free and quality education as mandated by the
Constitution, most especially the poor and the underprivileged. Not only does providing quality
education a matter much to be heeded upon by the State, it also mirrors the problem of providing
sustainability and productivity to one’s economic life vis-a-vis the government's as well. At most, all
levels of education must be granted to a qualified beneficiary - a high school graduate belonging to
a family living below the poverty line as determined by the National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA), or living within a budget of roughly PhP6,870 for a family of six. The beneficiary
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 of enjoying the free college education benefit. In
the same vein, the college authorities are obligated, under pain of administrative sanctions, to admit
the qualified beneficiary.

Given the present business practice 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 graduates of our
public high schools with appropriate quality college education keyed to the demands of a highly
competitive market place.

The bill
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filed in the 15 Congress but for lack of ting
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CHRISTOPHER S. CO RQDEL M. BATOCABE


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

(erere me 379
HOUSE BILL NO. as?

Introduced by CHRISTOPHER S. CO and RODEL M. BATOCABE

AN ACT

ESTABLISHING AND PROVIDING FOR FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION TO ONE (1) PUBLIC HIGH

SCHOOL GRADUATE IN A FAMILY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 Education to Public High

School Graduates 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 underpi

lleged,

in order to give them an opportunity to be included in the academe.

SEC. 3. Definitions - For Purposes of this Act:
(@) “Free College Education” shall mean any four-year college degree course or program
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;

(©) “Qualified Beneficiaries” shall mean all graduates of public high schools;

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

(©) “Other School 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 enrolment 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 enrol in any 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 a Four (4) Year College Curriculum - The Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) shall formulate a four-year college curriculum geared to provide students with
highly competitive education and training thereby making them vulnerable to the high demands of
society.

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 of 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 region nearest to the province where he resides.

SEC. 8. Obligation 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 accordance wit 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 savings of the CHED or the Department of Education.
Funds needed for the ensuing fiscal years 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.