Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO._______ 
Introduced by Representative Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Entrepreneurship is a key driver of inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In 
the Philippines, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) account for more than 
99% of registered businesses and provide the majority of employment opportunities for 
Filipinos. Yet, despite their importance, many Filipino entrepreneurs face persistent 
challenges such as limited access to formal training, inadequate business support 
services, and weak innovation ecosystems. 
This bill seeks to address these challenges through the establishment of the 
Philippine Entrepreneurs Academy (PEA) — a dedicated learning institution that will 
offer formal undergraduate and graduate degree programs, short-term technical-
vocational courses, and modular trainings focused on entrepreneurship. The Academy 
aims to integrate and elevate existing non-formal and short-term entrepreneurship 
programs of agencies such as TESDA, DTI, and DOST into a unified and structured 
academic and research system under the supervision of the Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED). 
With campuses to be established in the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone 
and the City of Baguio, the PEA shall serve as a center of excellence in entrepreneurship 
education, research, and innovation — nurturing a new generation of Filipino 
entrepreneurs equipped with the skills, values, and mindset to build sustainable 
enterprises across various sectors, including agriculture, trade, technology, and 
manufacturing. 
Through a competency-based curriculum, strong linkages with industry, and 
support for inclusive access through socialized tuition, the Academy will contribute to 
job creation, regional economic development, and national competitiveness. It will also 
serve as a hub for policy-oriented research and knowledge-sharing on entrepreneurship 
as a development tool. 
July 24, 2025
4:23 pm
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The passage of this measure is a crucial step toward institutionalizing 
entrepreneurship as a national strategy for poverty reduction and economic resilience, 
while building a globally competitive entrepreneurial culture grounded in Filipino 
ingenuity and values. 
During the 19th Congress, this bill was principally authored by Representative Marc 
O. Go and passed in the third and final reading.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.____ 
Introduced by Representative Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE ENTREPRENEURS ACADEMY AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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 “Philippine 
Entrepreneurs Academy Act.” 
SEC. 2. Establishment. – There is hereby established a learning institution, under 
the supervision of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), to be known as the 
“Philippine Entrepreneurs Academy”, hereinafter referred to as the Academy. 
SEC. 3. General Mandate. – The Academy shall provide undergraduate and 
graduate degree programs, short-term technical-vocational nondegree courses and 
modular trainings that will enhance the core competencies of individuals on 
entrepreneurship. It shall cater to technical-vocational, college and graduate students. 
It shall promote the relevance of entrepreneurship to job generation and its significant 
role to the sustainable economic growth of the country. 
The Academy shall formalize and integrate, under a school system, the nonformal 
entrepreneurship programs and short-term technical-vocational courses of the 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade 
and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and other 
government agencies. It shall administer education and consultancy, and supervise 
publication on entrepreneurship. It shall also conduct scientific and policy-oriented 
research and training. 
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The Academy shall comply with the requirements and standards of the CHED and 
the provisions of Republic Act No. 8292, otherwise known as the “Higher Education 
Modernization Act of 1997”, and other pertinent laws on higher education. 
SEC. 4. Curricular Offerings. – The Academy shall offer undergraduate and 
graduate degree programs and  short-term  diploma or  certificate  courses  on  
entrepreneurship,  including entrepreneurship development in the fields of agriculture, 
trade, technology, and the manufacturing sector. The curriculum and modules of the 
programs shall be designed and developed following the competency-based curriculum 
model and in accordance with the mandate of this Act. 
SEC. 5. School Sites. – The Academy shall have two (2) campuses, with the main 
campus to be established in the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone located in the 
Provinces of Pampanga and Tarlac, to be known as the “Philippine Entrepreneurs 
Academy Main Campus-Clark”. The other campus shall be located in the City of Baguio, 
to be known as the “Philippine Entrepreneurs Academy-Baguio City Campus”. 
SEC. 6. Governing Board. – The governing board of the Academy shall be the Board 
of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be chaired and co-chaired by 
the Chairperson of the CHED, and the President of the Academy, respectively, with the 
following as members: 
 
(a) 
Chairperson of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education 
of the Senate; 
(b) 
Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the 
House of Representatives; 
(c) 
Director General of the TESDA; 
(d) Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA); 
(e) 
Secretary of the DOST; 
(f) 
Secretary of the DTI; 
(g) 
President of the federation of faculty associations of the Academy; 
(h) 
President of the federation of student councils of the Academy; 
(i) 
President of the federation of alumni associations of the Academy; and 
(j) 
two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector who have distinguished 
themselves in their professions or fields of specialization. 
 
The members of the Board shall not receive any compensation or remuneration for 
their services as such, but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred 
in discharging the business of the Academy. 
 
SEC. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board. – The Board shall be the highest 
policymaking body of the Academy. In addition to its general powers of administration 
and the exercise of all the powers granted to the Board of a corporation under existing 
laws, the Board shall have the following specific powers and duties: 


 
(a) 
Promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State 
policies and pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution on education, 
as well as policies, standards and thrusts of the CHED under Republic Act No. 
7722, otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994”; 
(b) 
Adopt rules and regulations not contrary to law, as may be necessary to carry 
out the purposes and functions of the Academy, and to effectively discharge 
its responsibilities; 
(c) 
Receive assistance from any legitimate source to augment the internal sources 
of funds, as may be provided, for the support of the Academy in the manner 
it may determine, in its discretion, to carry out the purposes and functions of 
the Academy; 
(d) Constitute the Board, as herein defined; 
(e) 
Appoint the President, and as many Vice-Presidents as may be necessary to 
assist the President in the administration of the affairs of the Academy; 
(f) 
Review periodically the administrative procedures and programs of the 
Academy; 
(g) 
Receive, in kind and in trust, legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal 
properties of all kinds, and to administer and dispose the same when 
necessary for the benefit of the Academy, subject to limitations, discretions and 
instructions of the donors, if any; 
(h) 
Fix the tuition fees and other school charges such as matriculation fees, 
graduation fees, laboratory fees, and other miscellaneous fees as the Board 
may deem proper to impose after due consultations with the involved sectors: 
Provided, That these fees shall not be prohibitive or unreasonable as to deviate 
from the purpose for which the Academy was created based on the guidelines 
of the CHED; 
Such fees and charges, including government subsidies and other incomes 
generated by the Academy, shall constitute its regular fund and shall be 
deposited in any authorized government depository bank, and all interests 
that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the same fund for the use of the 
Academy. 
Any provision of existing law, rule and regulation to the contrary 
notwithstanding, any income generated by the Academy from tuition fees and 
other charges, as well as from the operation of auxiliary services and land 
grants, shall be retained by the Academy, and may be disbursed by the Board 
for instruction, research, extension services, or other programs and projects of 
the Academy: Provided, That all fiduciary fees shall be disbursed for the 
specific purposes for which they were collected. 


 
If for reason beyond its control, the Academy shall not be able to pursue any 
project for which funds have been appropriated and allocated under its 
approved program of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use of said 
funds for any reasonable purpose which, in its discretion, may be necessary 
and urgent for the attainment of the objectives and goals of the Academy; 
(i) 
Adopt and implement a socialized tuition scheme for greater access of poor, 
but deserving students in accordance with Republic Act No.10931 or the 
“Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act”. 
(j) 
Authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machineries, equipment, 
and other facilities, as well as the purchase and acquisition of real and personal 
properties, including the necessary supplies, materials, and equipment; 
(k) 
Appoint, upon the recommendation of the President of the Academy, the 
deans, executive directors, heads of departments, faculty members, and other 
officials and employees; 
(l) 
Prescribe the salaries of faculty members and administrative officials and 
employees, subject to the provisions of Republic Act No. 11466, otherwise 
known as the “Salary Standardization Law of 2019”, and by such other laws 
amendatory thereto, which may hereinafter be enacted, and civil service rules 
and regulations governing hours of service and related concerns, and other 
pertinent laws; 
(m) Formulate and implement the curricula and institutional programs of the 
Academy: Provided, That they comply with the minimum CHED requirements 
and guidelines; 
(n) 
Formulate and promulgate the rules of discipline for the students of the 
Academy to ensure orderly and effective governance thereof; Set policies on 
admission and graduation of students: Provided, That they conform with 
CHED guidelines; 
(o) 
Set policies on admission and graduation of students: Provided, That they 
conform with CHED guidelines; 
(p) 
Award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of outstanding 
contribution in the field of education, public service, arts, science and 
technology, or any field of specialization within the academic competence of 
the Academy and to authorize the issuance of certificates of completion of non- 
baccalaureate programs and nontraditional or innovative courses: Provided, 
That these conform with the applicable guidelines of the CHED and TESDA; 
(q) 
Establish research and extension centers of the Academy where such will 
promote the development of the latter; 
(r) 
Establish professorial chairs in the Academy and provide fellowships for 


 
qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students; 
(s) 
Enter into any agreements or joint ventures with business and industry for the 
profitable management of the economic and manpower assets of the 
Academy, the proceeds from which shall be used for the upgrading of facilities 
and its development; 
(t) 
Authorize an external management audit of the Academy, to be financed by 
the CHED, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit, 
and institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, on the basis 
of the audit results and recommendations; 
(u) 
Import economic, technical, and cultural books and publications; 
(v) 
Develop consortia, academe-industry linkages and other forms of networks 
with other institutions and agencies, both public and private, local and foreign: 
Provided, That these comply with the applicable guidelines of the CHED in 
furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the institution as well as develop 
academic arrangements for institution capacity and capability building with 
appropriate institutions and agencies, public and private; 
(w) Appoint experts and specialists as consultants, or visiting or exchange 
professors, scholars, researchers, as the case may be: Provided, That the 
appointment shall conform with CHED guidelines; 
(x) 
Set up the adoption of modern and innovative modes of transmitting 
knowledge, such as the use of information technology, the dual training 
system, open distance learning, and community laboratory for the promotion 
of greater access to education; 
(y) 
Outsource, where most advantageous to the institution, the management of 
non-academic services such as health, food, building or grounds or property 
maintenance and similar objectives; 
(z) 
Delegate any of its powers and duties to the President or the other officials of 
the Academy, as it may deem appropriate, so as to expedite the administration 
of the affairs of the Academy; 
(aa) Extend the term of the President of the Academy beyond the age of retirement, 
when deemed meritorious due to outstanding performance, but not beyond 
the age of seventy (70) years old; and 
(bb) Promulgate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out the 
purposes and functions of the Academy. 
 
SEC. 8. President of the Academy. – The Academy shall be headed by a President, 
who shall render full-time service and shall be appointed by the Board upon the 


 
recommendation of a duly constituted Search Committee. The President shall also be the 
chief executive officer of the Academy. 
 
The President shall have a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible for 
reappointment to another term. Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term 
of office of the incumbent President of the Academy, the Board shall constitute the Search 
Committee for the Presidency. 
 
The President shall receive such compensation and remuneration in accordance 
with Republic Act No. 11466 or the “Salary Standardization Law of 2019”, and by such 
other laws amendatory thereto, which may hereinafter be enacted, and shall be 
comparable to that being received by the Presidents of similar educational institutions. 
 
The President shall exercise the following powers and duties: 
 
(a) 
Submit, for the consideration of the Board and the Executive Committee, the 
policies and measures which are necessary to carry out the purposes of the 
Academy; 
(b) 
Recommend, coordinate, and administer the programs and projects of the 
Academy; 
(c) 
Direct and supervise the operations and internal administration of the 
Academy, and delegate administrative responsibilities in accordance with the 
rules and regulations of the Academy; 
(d) Submit an annual report to the Board setting forth the accomplishments of the 
Academy during the year, its financial operations and status, and a program 
and budget for the ensuing year; and 
(e) 
Exercise other powers and discharge other functions, as may be vested by the 
Board and the Executive Committee. 
 
The Board shall designate an Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of the Academy in case of 
vacancy in the Office of the President by reason of death, compulsory retirement, 
resignation, removal for cause or incapacity of the President to perform the functions of 
the office, pending the appointment of a new President: Provided, That the OIC shall serve 
only during the unexpired portion of the term. 
 
The powers and duties of the President of the Academy, in addition to those 
provided in this Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the Office of the President of 
similar educational institutions, and those delegated by the Board. 
 
SEC. 9. Executive Committee. – There shall be an Executive Committee consisting 
of the President of the Academy and four (4) other members to be elected by the Board 
from its members. Each Members of the Executive Committee, other than the President 
of the Academy, shall hold office for a term of two (2) years, and shall be eligible for re-
election, unless at the time of election, a shorter term is specified. The Board shall elect 
the Chairperson of the Executive Committee from the membership of the Board. 
 
SEC. 10. Functions of the Executive Committee. – The Executive Committee shall 
administer the affairs of the Academy in accordance with such functions, powers and 
responsibilities as may be delegated by the Board. 
 


 
SEC. 11. Government Support and Coordination. – The CHED Chairperson is 
hereby authorized to call upon any department, bureau, agency or instrumentality of the 
government for such assistance as may be necessary for the effective implementation of 
this Act. 
 
SEC. 12. Tax Exemption. – The importation of economic, technical and cultural 
books and publications, which are for the economic, technical, vocational, scientific, 
philosophical, historical or cultural purposes of the Academy, upon certification by the 
CHED, shall be exempt from customs duties in accordance with the provisions of 
Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the “Customs Modernization and Tariff 
Act”. 
 
All grants, bequests, endowments, donations and contributions made to the 
Academy, to be used actually, directly and exclusively by it, shall be exempt from donor’s 
tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross income in the 
computation of the income tax of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the 
National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. 
 
SEC. 13. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the CHED shall, in coordination with the TESDA and the DTI, 
formulate the necessary rules and regulations to fully implement the provisions of this 
Act. 
 
SEC. 15. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 16. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations or administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 17. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,