Republic of the Philippines
Bouse of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

ie, 3932

Introduced by

HON. REPRESENTATIVE LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE
4™ DISTRICT, BUKIDNON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill aims to provide free access to the Professional Regulation
Commission’s (PRC) licensure examination and Civil Service Commission's
(CSC) eligibility examinations for qualified aspiring graduate
professionals. The indigents are identified and certified by the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as those whose income may “not
be sufficient to meet their family’s basic needs.”

Currently, fees charged for application to take the respective
professional licensure examinations range from P 900.00 to P 1,500.00 for
baccalaureate degrees and P 600.00 for non-baccalaureate. These amounts
matter particularly to graduates of state universities and colleges and
beneficiaries of the CHED Tertiary Education Subsidy and the 4Ps Program of
the DSWD. According to the PRC, in 2023, a total of 633,551 examinees
took board exams, 311,381 of whom were first-time takers.

Under the bill, the privilege can only be availed of “once a year.”

This represents a significant step towards fostering inclusivity and
providing equal opportunities for all aspiring board passers and ensures that


Filipinos will not only have jobs, but quality employment which fits their
qualifications.

This bill was approved by the House of Representatives on 3" Reading
in the 19% Congress and was transmitted to the Senate for its concurrence.
However, due to lack of material time, it was enacted into law.

For the foregoing reasons, the immediate approval of the bill is
earnestly urged.

HON. LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE
4™ DI: BUKIDNON


Republic of the Philippines
Bouse of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila
Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 3332

Introduced by

HON. REPRESENTATIVE LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE
4 DISTRICT, BUKIDNON

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR FREE PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS TO
QUALIFIED INDIGENTS

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 Professional
Examinations Act”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared the policy of the State to
promote full employment and to provide equal opportunities for employment
for all. 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, the State shall provide the poor access to
mechanisms that expand opportunities for better employment.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

(a) Professional Examinations refer to the licensure examinations
conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) leading


to the issuance of professional licenses to successful examinees. It
shall also include examinations conducted by the Civil Service
Commission (CSC) leading to eligibility for employment in the
government.

(b

Qualified Indigents refer to persons who have no visible means of
income or support, or whose income may not be sufficient for the
subsistence or basic needs of the family, as may be determined by
the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Section 4. Requirements for Availment. — For purposes of availing the
benefits of this Act, an examinee shall secure Certificate of Indigency from
the DSWD. Such certification shall be presented to the PRC and CSC, as the
case may be, to be exempt from the payment of examination fees. No other
fee shall be charged against the qualified indigents for purposes of taking
the professional examinations.

Section 5. Limitations on Availment. - Benefits of this Act may be
availed of by a qualified indigent only once a year.

Section 6. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC)
Campaign. - The DSWD, PRC, and CSC, in cooperation with the Philippine
Information Agency (PIA), are 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.

Section 7. Reportorial Requirement. - For purposes of determining the
effectiveness and social impact of the provisions of this Act, the DSWD, PRC,
and CSC shall submit an annual report to both Houses of Congress indicating
therein the number of indigent examinees who benefited from this Act.

Section 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby
shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, other issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof


inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 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.