(^eu atr
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
•16 
SEP 29 
A 9 :1 6
SENATE
s. No. 1175
i n '
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AND PROVIDING FOR FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION IN 
INFORMATION 
AND 
COMMUNICATIONS 
TECHNOLOGY 
IN 
STATE 
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
As enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, it is the State’s policy to provide quality education at all 
levels 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 development of the society.
To fulfill this mandate, this bill seeks to widen the coverage of government scholarship grants by 
providing free college education to qualified students intending to enroll or who are already 
enrolled in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) courses offered in state 
universities and colleges (SUCs). This will give out-of-school youth and poor students the chance 
to receive quality education and later earn an ICT degree.
While this legislative proposal primarily seeks to help financially challenged students, it also seeks 
to enhance the public image of ICT as a vital component to national development and encourage 
young people to consider ICT as an alternative career. Likewise, this measure will nurture new 
breeds of ICT experts that would spearhead in improving and strengthening the infonnation- 
communication infrastructure of the Philippines.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
ANTONI'
SONNY” F.TRILEANES IV
Senator


i^cnntF
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
'16 
SEP 29 
A 9 '1 6
S. No
SENATE
1175
i\v.<
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AND PROVIDING FOR FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION IN 
INFORMATION 
AND 
COMMUNICATIONS 
TECHNOLOGY 
IN 
STATE 
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House ofRepresentatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as "Free College Information and 
Communications Technology Act".
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 development of a democratic society and share 
in the benefits therefrom.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
A. Free college education refers to any college degree course or program in Infonnation and 
Communications Technology (ICT) offered in or conducted by state universities and 
colleges (SUCs);
B. Other school fees refer to fees which cover the other necessary costs supportive of 
instruction such as medical and dental, athletic, library and laboratory fees;
C. Qualified beneficiaries refer to persons who have completed secondary education in public 
high schools;
D. State universities and colleges refer to institutions of higher learning, including specialized 
schools maintained and funded by the national government; and
E. Tuition fee refers to the fee representing direct costs of instruction and training facilities.
SEC. 4. Provision o f Free ICT College Education. — The Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED) shall provide for free college education to qualified students intending to enroll


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
or who are already enrolled in Information and Cpmmunications Technology (ICT) courses 
offered in state universities and colleges (SUCs).
SEC. 5. Qualified beneficiaries. - Qualified beneficiaries of the free ICT College 
Education program are students intending to enroll or who are already enrolled in Information and 
Communications Technology (ICT) courses offered in state universities and colleges (SUCs).
They shall be exempt from the payment of tuition and other school fees and shall be entitled to 
other incentives or subsidies as may be granted in accordance with the rules and regulations to be 
promulgated to carry out the provisions of this Act. However, fees related to membership in student 
organizations or college activities may be collected: Provided, That nonpayment of these fees shall 
not in any case prejudice the enrollment or graduation of a qualified beneficiary: Provided, further. 
That nothing in this Act shall cause or authorize the reduction or removal of any benefit which the 
national or local government may grant to qualified beneficiaries prior to the enactment of this 
Act.
SEC. 6. Place of Study and Admission. - The qualified beneficiary shall take the free ICT 
college education in the chosen SUC situated in the city or province of residence of the student.
Should there be no SUC in the city or province where the qualified beneficiary resides, or should 
the university or college facilities therein be unable to accommodate all qualified beneficiaries, a 
student may avail of the free college benefit in any SUC within the region. In the absence of SUCs 
within the region where a qualified beneficiary is residing, enrollment in any SUC in the nearest 
region may be allowed.
SEC. 7. Implementation o f Free ICT College Education. - The free ICT College 
Education program as provided in this Act shall commence in the school year following the 
approval of this Act.
SEC. 8. Disqualification. - In case of grade failure in the majority of the subjects enrolled 
in during the course of the study for two (2) consecutive semesters, the student-beneficiary shall 
be disqualified from availment of the free ICT college education.
SEC. 9. Penal Provisions. - It shall be unlawful for any SUC to refuse admission of any 
qualified beneficiary for any reason other than the limitation of funds and facilities. Any higher 
education institution (HEI) official or employee found violating the provisions of this section shall 
be subject to suspension.
In addition, the CHED may impose disciplinary action or sanctions against an HEI official or 
employee violating this Act pursuant to Section 13 of Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as 
the "Higher Education Act of 1994”.
SEC. 10. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the CHED, in consultation with the association of SUCs, shall promulgate 
the rules and regulations implementing its provisions.
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, 
the remainder of this Act or the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of 
this Act shall be deemed repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,