Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS

House Bill No,_3715

Introduced by Representative Timothy Joseph Cayton

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM FOR LICENSURE AND BAR EXAMINATIONS TAKERS,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

For thousands of Filipino graduates, there remains a gap between graduation and
professional licensing. Many capable graduates from low-income families are unable
to take board and bar examinations due to lack of financial means.

This bill seeks to close that gap by creating a national financial assistance program
for first-time board and bar examination takers, to be administered by the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in coordination with the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Supreme Court. The program shall cover
exam fees, and provide a one-time grant of P10,000 for review-related expenses.

By easing the financial burden, this measure aims to create equal opportunities, and
ensure that poverty does not hinder talented and hardworking graduates form taking
the final step toward professional practice. Licensed professionals in turn will
contribute to nation-building, fill critical gaps in the labor force, and elevate the
standards of their respective professions.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
TWENTIETH CONGRESS

House Bill No, 3715

Introduced by Representative Timothy Joseph Cayton

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM FOR LICENSURE AND BAR EXAMINATIONS TAKERS,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Financial Assistance for
Future Professionals Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared to be the policy of the
State to establish a comprehensive financial assistance package for qualified
licensure and bar examination takers and that no one shall be denied the opportunity
to become a licensed professional solely because of financial constraints.

SEC. 8. Coverage. — This Act shall cover all Filipino citizens who are first-
time takers of licensure examinations administered by the Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC) or bar examinations administered by the Supreme Court, and who
meet the qualifications set forth in Section 5 of this Act.

SEC. 4. Comprehensive Financial Assistance Package. — The financial
assistance shall include
1) Full Subsidy for Examination Fees — Full payment of official board
or bar examination fees;
2) P10,000 One-Time Review Grant — A fixed grant amount to
unburden the cost of review materials and incidental expenses.

SEC. 5. Qualifications. —


To qualify for the program, the applicant must?

1) Bea Filipino citizen and a graduate of a recognized higher
education institution; and

2) Bea first-time examinee.

SEC. 6. Implementing Agencies and Implementing Rules and Regulations.
- The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall be the lead implementing
agency for this Act, in coordination with the Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC), the Supreme Court, and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
‘These agencies shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations
within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 7. Appropriation. — The amount necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

SEC. 8. Return Service. Beneficiaries of this program who successfully pass
their examinations shall be encouraged to render professional service in the
Philippines for a period of not less than one (1) year prior to pursuing overseas
employment, under terms to be determined by the implementing agencies.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. -If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation,
contrary to, or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,