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“RECEIVED
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Republic of the Philippines =

HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4
HOUSE BILL No. 813

Introduced by HON. RODEL M. BATOCABE, HON. ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr. and
HON. CHRISTOPHER S. CO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is every one's right to have direct access to free and quality education as
mandated by the Constitution, most especially the poor and the underprivileged. Not
only does providing quality education a matter much to be heeded upon by the State, it
also mirrors the problem of providing sustainability and productivity to one’s economic
life vis-a-vis the government's as well. At most, all levels of education must be granted
to a qualified beneficiary — a high school graduate belonging to a family living below the
poverty line as determined by the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA), or living within a budget of roughly PhP6,870 for a family of six. The
beneficiary would have the right to choose the public or state college or university of his
choice within the city, province or region, as the case maybe, for purposes of enjoying
the free college education benefit. In the same vein, the college authorities are
obligated, under pain of administrative sanctions, to admit the qualified beneficiary.

Given the present business practice that places a premium on formal post-
secondary education or college training, and given the sheer number of graduates of
our public school system, this proposed legislation is a first concrete step towards
providing the deserving graduates of our public high schools with appropriate quality
college education keyed to the demands of a highly competitive market place.

The bill was filed in the 15" Congress but for lack of time, its progress was halted
at the Committee level. In light of all these circumstances, the swift assage of this bill is
ht.

. GARBIN, Jr. CHRISTOPHER S. CO



Page 2 of 3

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by HON. RODEL M. BATOCABE, HON. ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr. and
HON. CHRISTOPHER S. CO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AND PROVIDING FOR FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION TO ONE (1)
PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE IN A FAMILY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the “Free College Education to
Public High School Graduates Act of 2016”,

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 give them an opportunity to be
included in the academe.

SEC. 3. Definitions — For Purposes of this Act:

(a) “Free College Education” shall mean any four-year college degree course or
program offered in or conducted by State colleges and universities;

(b) “State Colleges and Universities” refers to institutions of higher learning,
including specialized schools, maintained and funded by government;

(c) “Qualified Beneficiaries” shall mean all graduates of public high schools;

(d) “Tuition Fee” shall refer to the fee representing direct costs of instruction and
training facilities;

(e) “Other School Fees" refers to those fees which cover the other necessary
costs supportive of instruction, including, but not limited to medical and dental,
athletic, library and laboratory fees.

However, fees related to membership in students’ organizations or college
activities may be collected, provided that non-payment of these fees shall not in any
case prejudice the enrolment or graduation of a qualified beneficiary.

SEC. 4. Implementation of Free College Education - The system of Free
College Education as provided in this Act, shall commence in the School Year following
approval of this Act. Qualified beneficiaries intending to enrol in any course offerings in
state colleges and universities shall be free from payment of tuition and other school
fees and shall be entitled to such other incentives or subsidies as may be granted in
accordance with such rules and regulations to be promulgated to carry out the
provisions of this Act: Provided, that nothing in this Act shall cause or authorize the
reduction or removal of any benefit which the national or local government may be
granted to the students prior to the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5. Formulation of a Four (4) Year College Curriculum — The Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) shall formulate a four-year college curriculum geared to


Page 3 of 3

provide students with highly competitive education and training thereby making them
vulnerable to the high demands of society. ‘

SEC. 6. Limitation — The right of any student to avail of free college education
shall terminate if he fails for two (2) consecutive semesters in the majority of the
subjects in which he is enrolled during the course of his study.

SEC. 7. Place of Study and Admission — The qualified beneficiary shall take his
free college education in state colleges or universities of his choice situated in the city or
province where he resides.

Should there be no state college or university in the city or province where he
resides or where the university or college facilities cannot accommodate all qualified
beneficiaries, the student may take his free college benefit in any college or university
within the region nearest to his place of residence. In the absence of public universities
or colleges within the region of his residence, the qualified student beneficiary may avail
of the privilege in any public or state college or university in any region nearest to the
province where he resides.

SEC. 8. Obligation of State Colleges — The State colleges or universities have
the obligation to admit qualified beneficiaries, subject only to limitation of funding and
facilities. A violation of this obligation shall constitute a ground for dismissal of the
school authorities concerned.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The CHED, in accordance with
the association of state colleges and universities shall issue the necessary
implementing rules and regulations within one hundred twenty (120) days from
effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 10. Funding — Adequate funds shall be earmarked by the President from
available funds in the National Treasury for the initial implementation of this Act. The
President shall likewise utilize for the purpose available funds or savings of the CHED
or the Department of Education. Funds needed for the ensuing fiscal years for the
implementation of this Act shall be included in the appropriations of State universities
and colleges in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause — All laws or parts thereof inconsistent with any
provision of this Act shall be deemed repealed or modified as the case may be.

SEC. 12. Effectivity - The Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication in
two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.