EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1216
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
f  
QEC-9 A 9 ’-13
received
AN ACT DECLARING MAY 18 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL
HIGHER EDUCATION DAY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Following the 
recommendation 
of the Congressional 
Commission 
on 
Education to Review and Assess Philippine Education (EDCOM) in 1991, the 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED or Commission) was created by virtue of 
Republic Act No. 7722 or the Higher Education Act of 1994 to be the agency 
primarily responsible for public and private colleges and universities. Signed on May 
18, 1994 by then President Fidel V. Ramos, the Higher Education Act of 1994 
reiterates the policy of the State to “protect, foster and promote the right of all 
citizens to affordable quality education at all levels and [to] take appropriate steps to 
ensure that education [is] accessible to all.”1
Since its establishment in 1994, the Commission has played a big role in 
developing human resources, bridging the gap between the skills set of the Filipino 
workforce and the demands of the employers, and ensuring that the country's higher 
education system is locally responsive yet globally competitive.
This bill seeks recognize the valuable role that the Commission has played for 
over 25 years in the country’s development by declaring May 18,h of every year as 
the “National Higher Education Day” in commemoration of the signing of the law 
creating the Commission.
The immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
EL VILLANUEVA
Section 2.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
a 
S e n a te  
(Micr sf tbr 4Nf(rftarj>
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1216
'If 
DEC-9 A9 -13
RECEIVFD BY:
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT DECLARING MAY 18 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE 
NATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION DAY
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. National Higher Education Day. -  The eighteenth (18th) day of May of 
every year is hereby declared as the “National Higher Education Day" in 
commemoration of the founding anniversary of the Commission on Higher Education 
(CHED).
To ensure a meaningful observance of this special working day as herein declared, 
all heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, including government- 
owned-and-controlled corporations, local government units, public and private 
educational institutions, employers in the private sector, and industry associations, 
shall encourage and afford sufficient time and opportunities for their students or 
employees to engage and participate in any activity conducted within the premises of 
their schools, offices or establishments in celebration of the “National Higher 
Education Day.”
SEC. 2. Lead Agency. -  The CHED shall be the lead agency in charge of the 
preparation and implementation of an annual program of activities and advocacy 
campaign for the observance of the “National Higher Education Day.”
All higher education institutions shall also provide full support and assistance to the 
preparation of the annual program of activities and events to be conducted by CHED 
in obsen/ance of the event pursuant to this Act.


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SEC. 3. E ffectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, 
whichever comes earlier.
Approved,