Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
       EXPLANATORY NOTE 
As of 2021, the PSA reports 1,080,638 operating establishments, with 44.3% 
established only the same year. Responsible for 40% of the country’s GDP and 63% of 
the country’s workforce, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are a major 
part of the Philippine economy.  
Seeing the sizable contribution of the entrepreneurial sector, the government 
should capitalize on this industry’s growth. However, that is not the case as of the 
moment. The existence of MSMEs in the country is an untapped resource that can be 
developed further. 
This bill proposes the creation of the Philippine Entrepreneurs Academy. Its 
goal is to provide undergraduate and graduate degree programs focused on 
enhancing the core competencies of future Filipino entrepreneurs.  
This bill was first filed by Rep. Go in the 18th Congress. Without the passage of 
the bill in the 18th Congress, this bill is being refiled.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
August 30, 2022
8:02 am
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 Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  _________ 
Introduced by Representative 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE ENTREPRENEURS ACADEMY, 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 “Philippine Entrepreneurs 
Academy Act". 
SECTION 2. Establishment — There is hereby established a learning institution 
under the supervision of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), to be known 
as the “Philippine Entrepreneurs Academy”, hereinafter referred to as the Academy. 
SECTION 3. General Mandate. — The Academy shall provide undergraduate and 
graduate degree programs, short-term technical-vocational nondegree courses and 
modular trainings that will enhance the core competencies of individuals on 
entrepreneurship. It shall cater to technical-vocational, college, and graduate 
students. It shall also promote the relevance of entrepreneurship to job generation 
and its significant role to the sustainable economic growth of the country. 
The Academy shall formalize and integrate, under a school system, the nonformal 
entrepreneurship programs and short-term technical-vocational courses of the 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of 
Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and other 
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government agencies. It shall administer education and consultancy, and supervise 
publication on entrepreneurship. It shall also conduct scientific and policy-oriented 
research and training. 
SECTION 4. Curricular Offerings. — The Academy shall offer undergraduate and 
graduate degree programs and short-term diploma or certificate courses on 
entrepreneurship, including entrepreneurship development in the fields of 
agriculture, trade, technology, and the manufacturing sector. The curriculum and 
modules of the programs shall be designed and developed following the 
competency-based curriculum model and in accordance with the mandate of this Act. 
SECTION 5. School Sites. - The Academy shall have two (2) campuses, with the main 
campus to be established in the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone located in 
the Provinces of Pampanga and Tarlac, to be known as the Entrepreneurs Academy-
Clark Campus. The other campus shall be located in the city of Baguio to be known 
as the Entrepreneurs Academy-Baguio City Campus.  
SECTION 6. Governing Board. —The governing board of the Academy should be 
the Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be chaired and 
co-chaired by the Chairperson of the CHED, and the President of the Academy, 
respectively, with the following as members: 
a) Chairperson of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education 
of the Senate; 
b) Chair person of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the 
House of Representatives; 
c) Director General of the TESDA; 
d) Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA); 
e) Secretary of the DOST; 
f) Secretary of the DTI; 
g) President of the federation of faculty associations of the Academy; 
h) President of the federation of student councils of the Academy; 
i) President of the federation of alumni associations of the Academy; and 
j) two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished 
themselves in their professions or fields of specialization. 
The members of the Board shall not receive any compensation or remuneration for 
their services as such, but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses 
incurred in discharging the business of the Academy. 
  
SECTION 7. Powers and Duties of the Board. — The Board shall be the highest 
policymaking body of the Academy. In addition to its general powers of 


administration and the exercise of all the powers granted to the Board of a 
corporation under existing laws, the Board shall have the following specific powers 
and duties: 
a) Promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State 
policies and pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution on education, 
as well as policies, standards and thrusts of CHED under Republic Act No. 
7722, otherwise known as “the Higher Education Act of 1994”; 
b) Prepare, adopt and encat rules and regulations not contrary to law, as may be 
necessary to carry out the purposes and functions of the Academy, and to 
effectively discharge its responsibilities; 
c) Receive assistance from any legitimate source to augment the internal sources 
of funds, as may be provided, for the support of the Academy in the manner it 
may determine, in its discretion, to carry out the purposes and functions of the 
Academy; 
d) Constitute the Board, as herein defined; 
e) Appoint the President and as many Vice-Presidents as may be necessary to 
assist the President in the administration of the affairs of the Academy; 
f) Review periodically the administrative procedures and programs of the 
Academy; 
g) Receive, in kind and trust, legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal 
properties of all kinds, to administer and dispose the same when necessary for 
the benefit of the Academy, subject to limitations, discretions and instructions 
of the donors, if any; 
h) Fix the tuition fees and other school charges such as matriculation fees, 
graduation fees, laboratory fees, and other miscellaneous fees as the Board 
may deem proper to impose after due consultations with involved sectors: 
Provided, That these fees shall not be prohibitive or unreasonable as to deviate 
from the purpose for which the Academy was created based on the guidelines 
of the CHED. 
Such fees and charges, including government subsidies and other incomes 
generated by the Academy, shall constitute its regular fund and shall be 
deposited in any authorized government depository bank, and all interests 
that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the same fund for the use of the 
Academy.  
Any provision of existing laws, rules,and regulations to the contrary 
notwithstanding, any income generated by the Academy from tuition fees and 
other charges; as well as from the operation of auxiliary services and land 
grants, shall be retained by the Academy and maybe dispersed by the Board 


for instruction, research, extension services, or other programs and projects of 
the Academy: Provided, That all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the specific 
purposes for which they were collected.  
If for a reason beyond its control, the Academy shall not be able to pursue any 
project for which funds have been appropriated and allocated under its 
approved program of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use of said 
funds for any reasonable purpose which, in its discretion, may be necessary 
and urgent for the attainment of the objectives and goals of the Academy.  
i) Adopt and implement a socialized tuition scheme for greater access of poor, 
but deserving students in accordance with the Republic Act No. 10931 or the 
“Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act”; 
j) Authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machineries, equipment, 
and other facilities, as well as the purchase and acquisition of real and personal 
properties, including the necessary supplies, materials and equipment; 
k) Appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the Academy, the 
deans, executive directors, heads of departments, faculty members, and other 
officials and employees; 
l) Prescribe the salaries of faculty members and administrative officials and 
employees, subject to the provisions of Republic Act No. 11466, otherwise 
known as the “Salary Standardization Law of 2019” and civil service rules and 
regulations governing hours of service and related concerns. and other 
pertinent laws; 
m) Formulate and implement the curricula and institutional programs of the 
Academy: Provided, That they comply with the minimum CHED requirements 
and guidelines; 
n) Formulate and promulgate the rules of discipline for the students of the 
Academy to ensure orderly and effective governance thereof; 
o) Set policies on admission and graduation of students: Provided, That they 
comply with the minimum CHED requirements guidelines; 
p) Award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of outstanding 
contribution in the field of education, public service, arts, science and 
technology, or in any field of specialization within the academic competence 
of the Academy and to authorize the issuance of certificates of completion of 
non-baccalaureate programs and nontraditional or innovative courses: 
Provided, That these conform with the applicable guidelines of the CHED and 
TESDA; 
q) Establish research and extension centers of the Academy where such will 
promote the development of the latter; 


r) Establish professional chairs in the Academy and provide fellowships for 
qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students; 
s) Enter into any agreements or joint ventures with business and industry for the 
profitable management of the economic and manpower assets of the Academy, 
the proceeds from which shall be used for the upgrading of facilities and its 
development; 
t) Authorize an external management audit of the Academy, to be financed by 
the CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit 
and institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the basis 
of the audit results and recommendations; 
u) Import economic, technical and cultural books and publications; 
v) Develop consortia, academe-industry linkages and other forms of networks 
with other institutions and agencies, both public and private, local and foreign: 
Provided, That these comply with the applicable guidelines of the CHED in 
furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the institutions as well as develop 
academic arrangements for institution capacity and capability building with 
appropriate institutions and agencies, public and private; 
w) Appoint experts and specialists as consultants, or visiting or exchange 
professors, scholars, researchers as the case may be: Provided, That the 
appointment shall conform to the CHED guidelines; 
x) Set up the adoption of modern and innovative modes of transmitting 
knowledge, such as the use of information technology, the dual training 
system, open distance learning, and community laboratory for the promotion 
of greater access to education; 
y) Outsource, where most advantageous to the institution, the management of 
non-academic services such as health, food, building or grounds or property 
maintenance and similar objectives; 
z) Delegate any of its powers and duties to the President or the other officials of 
the Academy, as it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the administration 
of the affairs of the Academy; 
aa) Extend the term of the President of the Academy beyond the age of retirement, 
when deemed meritorious due to outstanding performance, but not later than 
the age of seventy (70) years old; and 
bb) Promulgate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out the 
purposes and functions of the Academy.  
SECTION 8. President of the Academy. - The Academy shall be headed by a 
President, who shall render full-time service and shall be appointed by the Board 
upon the recommendation of a duly constituted Search Committee. The President 
shall also be the chief executive officer of the Academy.  


The President shall have a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible for 
reappointment to another term. Within six (6) months before the expiration of the 
term of office of the incumbent President of the Academy, the Board shall constitute 
the Search Committee for the Presidency.  
The President shall receive such compensation and remuneration in accordance with 
the Republic Act No. 11466 or the “Salary Standardization Law of 2019”, and by such 
other laws amendatory thereto, which may hereinafter be enacted, and shall be 
comparable to that being received by the Presidents of similar educational 
institutions.  
The President shall exercise the following powers and duties: 
a) Submit, for the consideration of the Board and the Executive Committee, the 
policies and measures which are necessary to carry out the purposes of the 
Academy; 
b) Recommend, coordinate, and administer the programs and projects of the 
Academy; 
c) Direct and supervise the operations and internal administration of the 
Academy, and delegate administrative responsibilities in accordance with the 
rules and regulations of the Academy; 
d) Submit an annual report to the Board setting forth the accomplishments of the 
Academy during the year, its financial operations and status, and the program 
and budget for the ensuing year; and 
e) Exercise other powers and discharge other functions as may be vested by the 
Board and Executive Committee.  
The Board shall designate an Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of the Academy in case of 
vacancy in the Office of the President by reason of death, compulsory retirement, 
resignation, removal for cause of incapacity of the President to perform the functions 
of the office, pending the appointment of a new President: Provided, That the OIC shall 
serve only during the unexpired portion of the term.  
The powers and duties of the President of the Academy, in addition to those provided 
in this Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the Office of the President of similar 
educational institutions, and those delegated by the Board.  
SECTION 9. Executive Committee. - There shall be an executive committee 
consisting of the President of the Academy and four (4) other members to be elected 
by the Board from its members. Each Member of the Executive Committee, other than 
the President of the Academy, shall hold office for a term of two (2) years, and shall 
be eligible for re-election, unless at the time of election, a shorter term is specified. 


The Board shall elect the Chairperson of the Executive Committee from the 
membership of the Board.  
SECTION 10. Functions of the Executive Committee. — The Executive Committee 
shall administer the affairs of the Academy in accordance with such functions, 
powers and responsibilities as may be delegated by the Board. 
SECTION 11. Government Support and Coordination. — The CHED Chairperson is 
hereby authorized to call upon any department, bureau, agency, or instrumentality 
of the government for such assistance as may be necessary for the effective 
implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 12. Tax Exemption. — The importation of economic, technical and cultural 
books and publications, which are for economic, technical, vocational, scientific, 
philosophical, historical or cultural purposes made by the Academy, upon 
certification by the CHED, shall be exempt from customs duties in accordance with 
the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the “Customs 
Modernization and Tariff Act”.  
All grants, bequest, endowments, donations and contributions made to the Academy, 
to be used actually directly and exclusively by it, shall be exempt from donor’s tax, 
and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross income in 
the computation of the income tax of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of 
the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.  
SECTION 13. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the CHED, in coordination with the TESDA and the DTI, 
shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations to fully implement the provisions 
of this Act. 
SECTION 15. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any part or provision of this 
Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not 
affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
SECTION 16. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations or administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 


SECTION 17. Effectivity. — This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved.