NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE
S.B. NO. 2441
23 SEP 14 P5 53
RECEIVED S',I
(In substitution of SBNs 1407, 1672, 1679, 1708 and 2079, taking into consideration
HBN 5001)
Prepared and submitted jointly by the Committees on Higher, Technical and 
Vocational Education; and Basic Education with Senators ReviHa Jr., ViHar (M.), 
Lapid, Go, Tuifo, Escudero, and Gatchaiian as authors thereof
AN ACT
MANDATING PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO WAIVE 
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FEES AND CHARGES OF CERTAIN 
STUDENTS QUALIFIED TO APPLY FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shali be known as the "Free College Entrance
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Examinations Act.
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby deciared the poiicy of the State to
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protect and promote the right of aii citizens to quaiity education at ali leveis and to
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democratize access to quality tertiary education. In line with this declared policy, and
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in cognizance of the need to assist disadvantaged students that show potential for
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academic excellence, the State shall exempt qualified graduates and graduating
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students from payment of entrance examination fees administered by private higher
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education institutions (HEIs).
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act:
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(a) College Entrance Examinations shall refer to examinations administered
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by private HEIs that serve as one of the criteria in the selection of
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prospective students for admission;


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(b) Graduates and Graduating Students shall refer to learners who have
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completed or are about to complete the Enhanced Basic Education
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Program as provided under Republic Act No. 10533, otherwise known as
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the "Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013') the Accreditation and
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Equivalency Assessments and Certifications for Senior High School Level
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under the Alternative Learning System as provided under Republic Act
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No. 11510, otherwise known as the "Aiternative Learning System Act)
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and other similar educational programs or accreditation and equivalency
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assessments and certifications as may be identified by the Department
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of Education (DEPED);
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(c) Higher Education shall refer to the stage of formal education, or its
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equivalent, requiring completion of secondary education and covering
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programs of study leading to bachelor and advanced degrees, including
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associate degrees; and
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(d) Private Higher Education Institutions shall refer to HEIs duly recognized
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by CHED which are owned or operated by private persons, natural or
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juridical, whether sectarian or non-sectarian.
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Sec. 4. Waiver of Entrance Examination Fees. - All private HEIs are hereby
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mandated to waive the college entrance examination fees and charges imposed on
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qualified graduates and graduating students who are applying for college admission.
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Sec. 5. Eligibility Requirements. - A graduate or graduating student shall be
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eligible for the waiver of college entrance examination fees and charges upon the
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satisfaction of the following qualifications and requirements:
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(a) The graduate or graduating student must be a natural-born Filipino
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citizen;
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(b)The graduate or graduating student must belong to the top ten percent
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(10%) of his or her graduating class;
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(c)The graduate or graduating student must belong to a family whose
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combined household income falls below the poverty threshold as defined
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by the National Economic and Development Authority or cannot afford in
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a sustained manner to provide for their minimum basic needs of food.


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health, education, housing and other essential amenities of life duly
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certified as such by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
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(d)The graduate or graduating student must apply for college entrance
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examination to any private HEI within the country; and
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(e)The graduate or graduating student must satisfy all other requirements
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as specified by the private HEI concerned;
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Sec. 6. Penalties. - The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is hereby
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authorized, in accordance with Section 8(e) of Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise
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known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994", to determine and impose appropriate
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sanctions against responsible officials or employees of private HEIs for failure or
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refusal to comply with the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
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the effectivity of this Act, the CHED shall, in coordination with the DEPED and in
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consultation with the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the
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Philippines, or its equivalent institution, promulgate the rules and regulations to
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effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
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remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
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rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of
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this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately following its
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publication in the Official Gazette ox in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,