Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _________
Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative
JONATHAN CLEMENT M. ABALOS II
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine Constitution mandates that the education sector shall receive
the highest budgetary priority. This concurs with Article XIV, Section 1 which states
that the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels shall be protected and
promoted. This means that education shall be made accessible and available,
especially to those who have less in life.
In consonance with the above provision, this bill seeks to ensure that Filipino
learners shall be provided this right regardless of their economic situation. Hence,
the bill mandates that college entrance fees of private higher educational institutions
(PHEIs) shall waive their college entrance fees for underprivileged graduating high
school students. The same assistance will be given to high school graduates that
belong to the top ten percent (10%) of the graduating class who are applying at
PHEIs.
The measure seeks to put a mechanism that guarantees that the opportunity
to receive the best education will be available to all Filipino students. Moreover, it
will give the underprivileged the chance to be closer to the realization of their
dreams for a better life and future, for themselves and their families.
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
JONATHAN CLEMENT M. ABALOS II
Representative, 4Ps Partylist
September 1, 2022
4:42 pm
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _________
Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative
JONATHAN CLEMENT M. ABALOS II
AN ACT
MANDATING PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO WAIVE
THE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FEES TO UNDERPRIVILEGED
GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATES BELONGING TO THE TOP TEN PERCENT (10%) OF THE
GRADUATING CLASS WHO ARE APPLYING FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION
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 College Entrance
Examinations Act.”
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
expand and further democratize access to quality college education in private
higher education institutions (PHEIs) by instituting mechanisms that promote the
rights of the underprivileged and deserving high school graduates.
The exemption from the imposition of entrance examination fees is one such
mechanism that shall ensure that underprivileged and deserving high school
graduating students and high school graduates are given adequate assistance and
equal opportunity to pursue their dreams of obtaining a college education.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:
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a) College entrance examinations – refer to the examinations required and
administered by higher education institutions on college entrants as one of
the criteria for determining admission to a college degree program;
b) Higher education institution – refers to an educational institution recognized by
the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and is legally authorized to
offer a program of education leading to the conferment of a degree; and
c) Underprivileged graduating high school students and graduates – refer to
graduating high school students or high school graduates entering college,
whose parents live below the poverty line or belong to the poorest of the
poor, as determined by the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA) and the National Household Targeting System of the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
SECTION 4. Waiver of Fees. — All PHEIs offering degree-granting programs at the
undergraduate level are hereby mandated to waive college entrance examination
fees to underprivileged graduating high school students and high school graduates
belonging to the top ten percent (10%) of the graduating class who are applying for
college admission.
SECTION 5. Qualification Requirements. - A student shall become eligible as
beneficiary under this Act when the following requirements are met:
a) Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen;
b) Must be a graduating high school student or a high school graduate
belonging to the top ten percent (10%) of the graduating class entering
college and intends to enroll in any HEI within the country; and
c) Must have parents or guardians living below the poverty line, as determined
by the NEDA and the DSWD.
SECTION 6. Sanctions. — The CHED shall reprimand any PHEI official or
employee and other concerned individuals violating Section 4 of this Act and
impose disciplinary sanctions pursuant to its powers under Section 8 of Republic
Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994,” for a
repetition of the same offense.
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the CHED shall, in coordination with the Department of
Education and the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the
Philippines, issue the necessary rules and regulations to fully implement the
provisions of this Act.


SECTION 8. 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 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions,
rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are
hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved.