Republic of the Philippines
Hause of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4504

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE CHEENO MIGUEL D. ALMARIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that unemployed persons, ages 15
and above, rose to 2.59 million from 1.95 million in June 2025.! This translates to 5.3%
unemployment rate which was the highest number since August 2022.

One of the factors that may be considered that is causing high unemployment
rate is the financial burden attributed to a person over getting government eligibilities
such as the Civil Service Examinations. The cost of examination permit from Civil
Service ranges from P600.00 to P1,500.00 per take. Not to mention, the cost of study
materials, transportation, and other living expenses allotted by examinees for their
respective exams. Most affected of this financial strain are the indigent citizens.

The indigents, who may be considered as extremely marginalized, must receive
more help from the government. This bill seeks to give them a helping hand by
waiving the examination fee for Civil Service Examinations.

Hence, the passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

CHEENO D.ALMARIO
Represental
2! District, Davao Oriental

+ hetps://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/958628/unemployed-filiginos-july-2025/story/



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Meteo Manile

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.4904
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE CHEENO MIGUEL D. ALMARIO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR FREE PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS TO QUALIFIED
INDIGENTS

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 "Free Professional
Examinations Act for Indigents of 2025".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared the policy of the State to promote full
employment and to provide equal opportunities for employment for all. Furthermore,
itis the policy of the State to promote a just and dynamic social order that will free the
people from poverty through policies and programs that provide adequate social
services, and improve the quality of life for all. In this regard, the State shall provide
the poor access to mechanisms that expand opportunities for better employment.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

(a) Professional Examinations refer to the licensure examinations conducted by
the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) leading to the issuance of
professional licenses to successful examinees. It shall also include examinations
conducted by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) leading to eligibility for
employment in the government such as, but not limited to, Subprofessional
Examinations .


(b) Qualified Indigents refer to persons who have no visible means of income
or support, or whose income may not be sufficient for the subsistence or basic
needs of the family, as may be determined by the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD).

Section 4. Requirements for Availment. - For purposes of availing the benefits of this
Act, an examinee shall secure Certificate of Indigency from the DSWD or the barangay
government having jurisdiction over the examinee. Such certification shall be
Presented to the PRC and CSC, as the case may be, to be exempt from the payment of
examination fees. No other fee shall be charged against the qualified indigents for
purposes of taking the professional examinations.

Section 5. Limitations on Availment. - Benefits of this Act may be availed of by a
qualified indigent only once a year.

Section 6. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign. - The
DSWD, PRC, and CSC, in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA),
are hereby mandated to conduct an annual IEC campaign in order to inform the
people of the procedures and guidelines in availing the benefits of this Act.

Section 7. Reportorial Requirement. - For purposes of determining the effectiveness
and social impact of the provisions of this Act, the DSWD, PRC, and CSC shall submit
an annual report to both Houses of Congress indicating therein the number of
indigent examinees who benefited from this Act.

Section 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act declared invalid
or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full
force and effect.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, other issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,