Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
EXEMPTING QUALIFIED INDIGENT FILIPINOS FROM PAYMENT OF 
PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION FEES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution states that “the State shall 
promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and 
independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies 
that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising 
standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all” 
Education and self-improvement programs continue to play a 
significant role in social mobility. The proposed legislation is an addition to 
Republic Act. Republic Act No. 10931, otherwise known as the "Universal 
Access to Quality Education Act" and RA 11261 or the "First Time Jobseeker 
Act," to remove potential barriers brought on by any unreasonable costs to 
provide access to high-quality education and employment. 
As the last step before starting a profession legally is passing a licensure 
and professional examination, this measure aims to provide a mechanism to 
make these examinations available to individuals who may have difficulty 
paying the required fees and allow them the same access to better 
employment as their economically well-off counterparts. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
May 24, 2023
4:02 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
EXEMPTING QUALIFIED INDIGENT FILIPINOS FROM PAYMENT OF 
PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION FEES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 the “Free Professional 
Examinations Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the declared policy of the State to 
promote full employment and to provide equal opportunities for employment 
for all. Corollary to this, the State shall promote a just and dynamic social 
services and improve the quality of life for all. In this regard, efforts should be 
exerted to provide the qualified indigent Filipinos access to government 
certifications which will recognize their potential as professionals and 
partners to nation-building. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As provided for in this Act; 
a. “Professional Examination” shall refer to the licensure examinations
conducted by the Professional Regulations Commission leading to the
issuance of a professional license, and examinations conducted by the
Civil Service Commission leading to eligibility for employment to the
government as a civil service professional or sub-professionals.
b. “Qualified Indigent” refers to a person who has no visible means of
income or support, or whose income is insufficient for the subsistence
or basic needs of his family, as may be determined by the Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
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SECTION 4. Requirements for Availment.- For purposes of availing the 
benefits of this Act, an examinee shall secure a certification from the DSWD 
that said examinee is a qualified indigent. Such certification shall be 
presented to the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), or the Civil 
Service Commission (CSC), as the case me be, in lieu of the payment of 
examination fees. No other fee shall be charged against the qualified indigent 
for purposes of the professional examination. 
 
SECTION 5. Limitations on Availment.- Benefits of this Act may be availed 
of only by a qualified indigent once. 
   
SECTION 6. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) 
Campaign.- The DSWD, PRC, CSC, and the Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED), in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency 
(PIA), is hereby mandated to conduct an annual IEC campaign in order to 
inform the people of the procedures and guidelines in availing the benefits of 
this Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Reportorial Requirement.- For purposes of determining the 
impact of the provisions of this Act, the DSWD, PRC, CSC, and CHED shall 
submit an annual report to the Senate Committee on Civil Service, 
Government Reorganization, and Professional Regulation. The said report 
shall indicate the detail, among others, geographic distribution, demographic 
characteristics, and socioeconomic profile of the beneficiaries of this Act. 
 
SECTION 8. Non-Duplication of Benefits.- Examinees who are already 
covered with similar benefits under other laws and programs of the 
government shall not be entitled to the benefits of this Act. 
 
SECTION 9. Harmonization with the CHED.- Unified Student Financial 
Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) – The implementation of 
this Act shall be harmonized with the implementation of the Tertiary 
Education Subsidy under Section 7 of Republic Act 10931, otherwise known 
as, “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act”. 
 
SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).- Within ninety 
(90) days from the date of effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, PRC, CSC, and 
CHED shall formulate the IRR for the proper and effective implementation of 
the provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 
11. 
Appropriations.- 
An 
amount 
necessary 
for 
the 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the respective budgetary 
allocations of the concerned government agencies. Thereafter, an amount 


necessary for the proper implementation of this Act shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 12. Separability Clause.- If any provisions of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected 
thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause.- All laws, orders, decrees, rules and 
regulations, and other parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 14. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication either in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation in the Philippines. 
 
Approved,