Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
20th CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by REP. JUAN CARLOS “ARJO” C. ATAYDE 
AN ACT 
EXEMPTING QUALIFIED INDIGENT FILIPINOS FROM PAYMENT OF 
PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION FEES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Poverty has always been a barrier to opportunities in order to have a better life 
for many Filipinos. Over the years, legislators have worked together to give our 
underprivileged students the opportunity to finish their college education. Such 
enactments include the RA No. 10648 otherwise known as the Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 
2014, RA No. 10687 otherwise known as the Unified Student Financial Assistance System 
for Tertiary Education (UNIFAST Law), and RA No. 10931 otherwise known as the 
Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. 
With access to college education already in place, students who want to 
upgrade their standard of living envision themselves to become professionals. In fact, 
healthcare related courses such as nursing have been a popular choice among students 
because of the demand for nurses abroad with a highly competitive salary. Given that 
State support from the previously mentioned laws shall already cease upon 
graduation from college, there exists a gap between education and employment and 
that is the costly fees related to taking the professional examinations. 
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September 10, 2025
10:32 am




    Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
20th CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by REP. JUAN CARLOS “ARJO” C. ATAYDE 
AN ACT 
EXEMPTING QUALIFIED INDIGENT FILIPINOS FROM PAYMENT OF 
PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION FEES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
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assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free Professional 
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Examinations Act”. 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to promote 
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full employment and to provide equal opportunities for employment for all. Corollary 
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to this, the State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will free the people 
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from poverty through policies and programs that provide adequate social services and 
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improve the quality of life for all. In this regard, efforts should be exerted to provide 
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the qualified indigent Filipinos access to government certifications which will 
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recognize their potential as professionals and partners to nation-building. 
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As provided for in this Act; 
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a. "Professional Examination' shall refer to the licensure examinations
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conducted by the Professional Regulations Commission leading to the issuance of a 
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professional license, and the examinations conducted by the Civil Service Commission 
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leading to eligibility for employment to the government as a civil service professional 
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or sub-professionals. 
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b. "Qualified Indigent" refers 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
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