Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6109

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto and Edward Vera Perez Maceda

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section 1, of the 1987 Constitution provides that,

“The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens 10 quality education at all levels,
and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”

Hence, itis the constitutional duty of the State to provide education to all persons regardless
of their age. It is imperative to give to our senior citizens free education in order to help them achieve
the goals and educational gain that they failed to attain during their younger years

As a signatory to the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education (1960) and
Article 13 and Article 14 on Economic, Social and Cultural right, itis our international obligation to
provide full and equal opportunities to education to all persons. The mandate of this convention is
‘comprehensive enough to cover not just those who are in their formative years but also those who
‘were not able to have access to it during their time; accessibility must be in law and in fact, without
prejudice on any prohibited grounds; it must have economic accessibility, as it is provided in the
convention that the State parties must progressively introduce free education in all levels and for all
ages. Right to education occupies a great part in the exercise of other human rights and for one’s
development.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is eamestly sought

JOHN SERVO” NIETO EDWs PEREZ MACEDA.
REP! 3rd DISTRICT OF REPRESENTATIVE, 4th DISTRICT OF
MANI MANILA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6109

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto and Edward Vera Perez Maceda

AN ACT PROVIDING FREE EDUCATION TO SENIOR CITIZENS
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 "Free Education for Seniors Act"

SECTION 2: Declaration of Policy - It is the State's duty to provide its citizens access to
quality education regardless of their age. The state shall establish, maintain, and support a complete,
adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society. This bill
seeks to ensure that quality education is made available to Senior Citizens by exempting them from
the payment of tuition fees in any public school

SECTION 3: Exemption from the payment of tuition fees - Senior Citizens as defined in this
‘Act shall be exempt from paying tuition fees in any public school in the Philippines.

Senior Citizens availing of this exemption shall sill be required to comply with the minimum
admission requirements of the school he/she wishes to enroll in

No additional academic requirements shall be imposed on Senior Citizens to avail of the
exemption from payment of tuition fees under this Act.

SECTION 4: Who are considered Senior Citizens - For the purpose of availing the
‘exemption from payment of tuition fees under this Act, any Filipino who is already sixty (60) years
old or older shall be considered a Senior Citizen,

SECTION 5: Which schools are considered public - For the purposes of this Act, any school
which receives regular funding from the government shall be considered a public school.

SECTION 6: Implementing rules and regulations - Within thirty (30) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education together with the Commission on Higher
Education, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to further carry out this Act.

SECTION 7: Separability clause - If any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other parts thereof not affected thereby shall remain valid.

SECTION 8: Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulation or part
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly,


SECTION 9: Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon
completion of its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,