Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

}2 RECEIVED

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

~, 4249

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 9, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that “[t]he State shall promote a
just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation
and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services,

promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.

Furthermore, Section 5(3), Article XIV provides that “[e]very citizen has a right to
select a profession or course of study, subject to fair, reasonable, and equitable admission and

academic requirements.

In 2017, Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education
Act was signed into law providing for free college education. This gave the underprivileged
youth better economic access to higher education and provided them an opportunity for a better

future through education,

Despite this, most professions require graduates to undergo professional licensure
examinations as prescribed by law. These professional licensure exams entails further expenses
for graduates, especially in the form of examination fees. To indigent graduates, this is another
financial burden which they must shoulder before they could start practicing their chosen
profession and have gainful employment.

(2 patente 20a


To promote social justice and to provide for equitable opportunity to pursue a
profession, this bill seeks to exempt qualified indigents from paying examination fees to
government administered professional examinations.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

. GUINTU
PINUNO Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4249

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu

AN ACT
EXEMPTING QUALIFIED INDIGENT FILIPINOS FROM PAYMENT OF
PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION FEES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Free Professional
Examinations Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to promote full
employment and to provide equal opportunities for employment for all. Corollary to this is the
concomitant responsibility of the state to ensure that there are no inroads that may effectively
hinder the professional growth of our citizens.

Furthermore, it is the policy of the State to promote a just and dynamic social order that
will free the people from poverty through policies and programs that provide adequate social
services and improve the quality of life for all. In this regard, efforts should be initiated so as
to afford the qualified but indigent Filipinos access to government certifications and other state
mechanisms that will recognize their potential as professionals and partners to nation-building.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As provided for in this Act;

a. Professional Examinations shall refer to the licensure examinations conducted by the
Professional Regulations Commission leading to the issuance of a professional license.
It shall also include examinations conducted by the Civil Service Commission leading
to eligibility for employment to the government as a civil service professional or sub-
professionals and the Bar Examinations conducted by the Supreme Court of the
Philippines.


b. Qualified Indigent shall refer to a person who has no visible means of income or
support, or whose income is insufficient for the subsistence or basic needs of his family,
as may be determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

SEC. 4. Requirements for Availment. — For purposes of availing of the benefits of this
‘Act, an examinee shall secure a certification from the DSWD that he/she is a qualified indigent.
Such certification shall be presented to the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), the
Civil Service Commission (CSC) or the Supreme Court of the Philippines, as the case may be,
in lieu of the payment of examination fees.

No other fee shall be charged against the qualified indigent for purposes of the
professional examination.

SEC. 5. Limitations on Availment. — Benefits of this Act may be availed of only by a
qualified indigent once per year.

SEC. 6. Information, Education and Communication (LEC) Campaign. — The
DSWD, PRC, CSC and the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in cooperation with the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA), is hereby mandated to conduct an annual IEC campaign
in order to inform the people of the procedures and guidelines in availing the benefits of this
Act.

SEC. 7. Reportorial Requirement. — For purposes of determining the effectiveness and
social impact of the provisions of this Act, the DSWD, PRC, CSC and the Supreme Court of
the Philippines shall submit an annual report to both Houses of Congress indicating therewith
the number of parties who benefited from this Act.

The report shall state in detail, among others, the geographic location, demographic
characteristics and socioeconomic profile of the beneficiaries of this Act.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). ~ Within ninety (90) days from
the date of effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, PRC, CSC and the Supreme Court of the
Philippines shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper and effective
implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional
or invalid, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — Any law, decree, ordinance or administrative circular
not consistent with any provision of this Act is hereby amended, repealed or modified
accordingly.


SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,