Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1914
Introduced by Representative FRANZ S. PUMAREN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
National hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal strongly believed in the transformative 
power of education. He wrote, “Without education and liberty, which are the soil 
and sun of man, no reform is possible, no measure can give the result desired.” 
This transformative power of education can also serve as a positive 
socioeconomic driver. Education equips individuals with the necessary tools to 
end the cycle of poverty and pursue a more dignified life. 
The State affirmed the commitment to providing quality and accessible 
education with the passage of key measures such as Republic Act No. 10533, or 
the “Enhanced Basic Education Act,” and Republic Act No. 10931, or the 
“Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.” By extension, this 
commitment by the State must include supporting degree holders, particularly 
from low-income households, to becoming licensed professionals. This 
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commitment will bridge the education-to-employment gap by ensuring financial 
barriers will not prevent indigent graduates from pursuing licensure and 
eligibility. 
While examination fees may seem modest, these can be a major obstacle 
for some financially disadvantaged graduates. Financial barriers effectively deny 
indigent jobseekers access to employment opportunities that require certification 
or eligibility. 
The Free Professional Examinations Act seeks to address that gap by 
institutionalizing free professional and civil service examinations for qualified 
indigents. With the passage of this Act, every qualified Filipino can now pursue 
a productive career and a more dignified life regardless of socioeconomic 
background.  
The passage of this measure is a crucial step in the State's reaffirmation of 
the principles of social justice, inclusive development, and equal opportunity. 
In view of the foregoing, this Representation earnestly seeks the immediate 
passage of this bill. 
FRANZ S. PUMAREN 
3rd District, Quezon City


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1914 
Introduced by Representative FRANZ S. PUMAREN 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR FREE PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS TO 
QUALIFIED INDIGENTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in the Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Free 
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Professional Examinations Act.” 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is declared the policy of the State to 
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promote full employment and to provide equal opportunities for employment for 
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all. 
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Furthermore, it is the policy of the State to promote a just and dynamic 
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social order that will free the people from poverty through policies and programs 
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that provide adequate social services, and improve the quality of life for all. In 
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this regard, the State shall provide the poor access to mechanisms that expand 
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opportunities for better employment. 
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
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(a) Professional Examinations refer to the licensure examinations 
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conducted by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) leading to the 
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issuance of professional licenses to successful examinees. It shall also include 
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examinations conducted by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) leading to 
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eligibility for employment in the government. 
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(b) Qualified Indigents refer to persons who have no visible means of 
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income or support, or whose income may not be sufficient for the subsistence or 
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basic needs of the family, as may be determined by the Department of Social 
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Welfare and Development (DSWD) and certified by their respective Local 
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Government Units (LGUs). 
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SEC. 4. Requirements for Availment. – For purposes of availing the 
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benefits of this Act, an examinee shall secure a Certificate of Indigency from their 
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respective LGUs. Such certification shall be presented to the PRC and CSC, as 
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the case may be, to be exempt from the payment of examination fees. 
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No other fees shall be charged against the qualified indigents for purposes 
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of taking the professional or eligibility examinations. 
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SEC. 5. Limitations on Availment. – Benefits of this Act may be availed 
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of by a qualified indigent only once a year. 
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SEC. 6. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign. 
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– The DSWD, PRC, and CSC, in cooperation with the Philippine Information 
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Agency, is hereby mandated to conduct an annual IEC campaign in order to 
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inform the people of the procedures and guidelines in availing the benefits of this 
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Act. 
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SEC. 7. Reportorial Requirement. – For the purposes of determining the 
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effectiveness and social impact of the provisions of this Act, the DSWD, PRC, 
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and CSC shall submit an annual report to both Houses of Congress indicating 
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therein the number of indigent examinees who benefited from this Act. 
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision of part of this Act is 
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declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall 
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continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, decrees, executive orders, 
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proclamations, other issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved,