Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTION 6 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10931, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE "UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION ACT", BY 
PROVIDING FOR RELIEF FROM CERTAIN INELIGIBILITIES TO FREE TERTIARY 
EDUCATION AND FREE TVET BENEFICIARIES AFFECTED BY NATIONAL OR 
LOCAL EMERGENCIES 
This proposed measure seeks to withhold the imposition of ineligibilities outlined in 
Republic Act No. 10931, otherwise known as "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary 
Education Act". With the ongoing and already prolonged battle against the COVID-19 
pandemic, it is important to ensure that quality education remains accessible for all. 
Many households are suffering from joblessness and lack of the necessary tools to 
participate in distance learning. 
This bill, in particular, proposes that certain ineligibilities provided in Section 6 of the 
law will not be imposed on students based upon proof that the ground/s arose due to 
a condition or circumstance, such as, but not limited to, financial distress, lack of 
proper and adequate remote learning resources, mental health issues, contracting a 
disease or disability, etc., experienced in relation to a national or local emergency 
lasting for three months or more. These ineligibilities are: (1) for free higher education 
beneficiaries, failure to complete their undergraduate degree within a year after the 
period prescribed in their program; and (2) for free TVET beneficiaries, failure to pass 
in any course of their program.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
June 30, 2021
12:13 pm
9671


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTION 6 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10931, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE "UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION ACT", BY 
PROVIDING FOR RELIEF FROM CERTAIN INELIGIBILITIES TO FREE TERTIARY 
EDUCATION AND FREE TVET BENEFICIARIES AFFECTED BY NATIONAL OR 
LOCAL EMERGENCIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10931, otherwise known as the "Universal 
Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:  
"Section 6. Exceptions to Free Tertiary Education. – The following 
students are ineligible to avail of the free tertiary education: 
(a) In sues and LUCs:
(1) Students who have already attained a bachelor's degree or 
comparable undergraduate degree from any HEI, whether public or 
private:
(2) Students who fail to comply with the admission and retention policies 
of the SUC or LUC;
(3) Students who fall to complete their bachelor's degree or comparable 
undergraduate degree within a year after the period prescribed in their 
program; and
(b) In State-Run TVIs:
(1) Students who have obtained a bachelor's degree, as well as those 
who have received a certificate or diploma for a technical-vocational 
course equivalent to at least National Certificate III and above:
(2) Students who fail in any course enrolled in during the course of the 
program.
Students ineligible to avail of the free tertiary education shall be charged 
the tuition and other school fees, as determined by the respective boards 
9671


 
 
of the SUCs and LUCs, and in the case of the state-run TVIs, to be 
determined by the TESDA[.] PROVIDED, THAT FOR A NATIONAL OR 
LOCAL EMERGENCY LASTING FOR THREE (3) MONTHS OR MORE, 
INELIGIBILITY SHALL NOT BE IMPOSED ON AFFECTED STUDENTS 
FALLING UNDER (A)(3), AND (B)(2) BASED UPON PROOF THAT THE 
GROUND/S AROSE DUE TO A CONDITION OR CIRCUMSTANCE 
EXPERIENCED IN RELATION TO THE SAID NATIONAL OR LOCAL 
EMERGENCY, SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FINANCIAL 
DISTRESS, 
LACK 
OF 
PROPER 
AND 
ADEQUATE 
REMOTE 
LEARNING RESOURCES, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, CONTRACTING 
A DISEASE OR DISABILITY, ETC. 
 
Section 2. Retroactivity Clause for Students affected by the COVID19 Public 
Health Emergency. – The relief granted by this Act shall retroactively apply to 
students affected by the State of Public Health Emergency declared by the President 
of the Philippines In connection with the Coronavirus Disease (GOVID-19) pandemic. 
The CHED and TESDA shall ensure and monitor the compliance of public or private 
HBs/TVIs on the retroactive application of this temporary relief. 
 
Section 3. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.   
 
Section 4. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, 
the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby.  
 
Section 5. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.  
 
Approved,