Republic of the Philippines Prerive
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES P
Quezon City

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

73

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by : REP. RAUL V. DEL MAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Constitution mandates not only that quality education must be provided by
the State to all qualified citizens — the poor and the underprivileged in particular — at all
levels of education, but that it must likewise put in place a system of education geared
towards establishing and making available a continuing pool of trained manpower for the
country’s development efforts.

Within the context of this constitutional policy, the Bill seeks to provide free
college education in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), a two-year
college degree course, to all high school graduates of public schools. These beneficiaries
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 may be, for purposes enjoying the free
college education benefit. In the same vein, the college authorities are obligated, under
pain of administrative sanctions, to admit the qualified beneficiaries.

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 marketplace.

In this context, approval of the Bill is earnestly sought.

UL V. DEL MAR


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 73

Introduced by : REP. RAUL V. DEL MAR

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AND PROVIDING FOR FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION IN
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND 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 Information and
Communications Technology College Education Act of 2001”.

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 underprivileged, in order to enable them to truly participate in the benefits of
a democratic society.

SEC. 3. Definitions. — For purposes of this Act:

a) “Free College Education” shall mean any two-year college degree course or
program in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) offered in or conducted
by Stat 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;

4) “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 enrollment 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 enroll or already enrolled in
ICT 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 ICT Curriculum, — The Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) shall formulate a two-year college curriculum geared to provide
students with highly competitive training or skills consistent with the manpower demands
of a highly competitive business environment.

SEC, 6. Limitation. ~ The right of any student to avail of free college education
shall terminate is 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 coordination
with 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 Culture and Sports. 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, - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,