NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No, 2079
of tiif
23 APR 19 PI :29
i^HCEiVcD E;'
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT MANDATING PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO 
WAIVE THE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FEES TO UNDERPRIVILEGED 
GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES 
BELONGING TO THE TOP FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) OF THEIR GRADUATING
CLASS
Explanatory Note
It is the policy of the state to provide equal access to quality higher education for 
all citizens. The proposed measure gives opportunities to underprivileged graduating high 
school students and high school graduates belonging to the top fifteen percent (15%) of 
their graduating class. The bill mandates private higher education institutions to waive 
the college entrance examination fees for these students, thereby enabling them to 
pursue higher education without the burden of financial constraints.
The bill recognizes that the cost of taking college entrance examinations can be a 
significant barrier to entry for students from low-income families. By waiving the fees for 
these students, the bill seeks to level the playing field and provide equal opportunities for 
all students, regardless of their socio-economic background.
Furthermore, the bill prioritizes high achieving students who belong to the top 
fifteen percent (15%) of their graduating class. This recognizes the Importance of 
academic excellence and incentivizes students to strive for excellence in their studies.


The passage of this measure is thus earnestly sought.
RaffvOr. Tulfo
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 2079
d tl?e Bct-mn
23 APR 19 PI :30
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT MANDATING PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO 
WAIVE THE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FEES TO 
UNDERPRIVILEGED GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND HIGH 
SCHOOL GRADUATES BELONGING TO THE TOP FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%)
OF THEIR GRADUATING CLASS
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 shall be known as the "Free College
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Entrance Examinations Act".
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
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to expand and further democratize access to quality college education in private higher
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education institutions by instituting mechanisms that promote the rights of the
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underprivileged graduating high school students and high school graduates belonging
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to the top fifteen percent (15%) of their graduating class.
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The exemption from the imposition of entrance examination fees is one such 
mechanism that shall give adequate assistance and equal opportunity to these 
students to pursue their dreams of obtaining a college education.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following 
terms shall be defined as follows:


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a. College entrance examinations refer to the examinations required and
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administered by higher education institutions on college entrants that is a
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criterion for determining admission to a college degree program;
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b. Higher education institution refers to an educational institution
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recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and is legally
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authorized to offer a program of education leading to the conferment of a
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degree;
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c. Private Higher Education Institution refers to a higher education
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institution not owned 
or 
controlled by the government 
or its
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instrumentalities and may be sectarian (usually non-stock, non-profit, duly
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incorporated, owned and operated by a religious organization) or non-
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sectarian (not affiliated to any religious organization, duly incorporated,
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owned and operated by private entities); and
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d. Underprivileged graduating high school students and graduates
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refer to graduating high school students or high school graduates entering
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college, whose parents have a combined income that falls below the poverty
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threshold, as determined by the National Economic and Development
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Authority (NEDA) and the National Household Targeting System of the
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Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
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SEC. 4. Waiver of Fees. -The college entrance examination fees in PHEIs
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for the unprivileged public senior high school graduating students and graduating
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students and graduates belonging to the top fifteen percent (15%) of their graduating
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class shall be waived. It shall be covered under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary
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Education fund administered by the Commission on Higher Education - Unified Student
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Financial Assistance Secretariat (CHED - UniFAST).
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SEC. 5. Qualification Requirements. - A student shall become eligible as
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beneficiary under this Act when the following qualifications are met:
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a. Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen;


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b. Must be a graduating high school student or a high school graduate who 
belongs to the top fifteen percent (15%) of their graduating class and seeks to 
be admitted to a private higher education Institution within the country; and
c. Must belong to a family whose combined income falls below the poverty 
threshold, as determined by the NEDA and the DSWD.
SEC 6. Additional Benefits for Qualified Students - Qualified Students 
according to Section 5 of this act are given priority to scholarships offered by the 
national government
SEC. 7. Sanctions. - The CHED shall reprimand any official or employee of a 
private higher education institution or other individuals who violate Section 4 of this 
Act, and Impose disciplinary sanctions for a repetition of the same offense, pursuant 
to its powers under Section 8 (e) of Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the 
"Higher Education Act of 1994"
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -Within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the CHED shall. In coordination with the Department of 
Education and the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the 
Philippines, issue the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
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SEC. 9. 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. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions, 
rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are 
hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.


Approved,