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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
3rd Regular Session 
House Bill No. 10793 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING SECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS 
FROM REQUIRING STUDENTS TO COMPLETE STUDENT IMMERSION OR 
INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS OR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING ABROAD OR 
OUTSIDE THE PROVINCE WHERE THE INSTITUTION IS LOCATED 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines guarantees the right 
of all citizens to quality education at all levels and mandates the State to ensure 
equitable access to education, particularly for students from economically 
disadvantaged backgrounds. 
However, recent reports indicate that certain higher education institutions 
impose mandatory requirements for students to undertake internships or on-the-job 
(OJT) training programs abroad as a condition for the completion of courses and 
graduation. While international exposure can provide valuable learning experiences, 
the mandatory nature of these requirements places an undue burden on students and 
their families. The financial strain associated with overseas internships indirectly 
discriminates against those who cannot afford such programs, effectively limiting 
their access to education, thereby exacerbating existing inequalities in the education 
system. 
This House Bill seeks to address this issue by prohibiting secondary and higher 
education institutions from requiring students to complete immersion, internship, or 
OJT programs abroad or outside the province where the institution is located as a 
condition for graduation. The bill ensures that students are not compelled to 
undertake such programs unless they or their parents or guardians voluntarily choose 
to do so with full consent in line with the principles of fairness, equality, and 
 ERIC GO YAP AND RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES ERWIN T. TULFO, EDVIC G. YAP
August 20, 2024
1:25 pm


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accessibility in the Philippine education system, ensuring that no student is left 
behind. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
            
AP                               
       ERIC GO YAP 
RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO   
EDVIC G. YAP
ERWIN T. TULFO


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
3rd Regular Session 
House Bill No. 10793 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING SECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS 
FROM REQUIRING STUDENTS TO COMPLETE STUDENT IMMERSION OR 
INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS OR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING ABROAD OR 
OUTSIDE THE PROVINCE WHERE THE INSTITUTION IS LOCATED 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to uphold the right to education by protecting and promoting the right of all 
citizens to accessible quality education at all levels. This Act aims to ensure that 
students are not unduly burdened by compulsory requirements that may impose 
unnecessary financial strain, which could hinder their right to complete their 
education. The State recognizes that requiring students to participate in immersion, 
internship, or on-the-job (OJT) training programs in locations that are financially or 
 
economically disadvantaged backgrounds. 
SECTION 
2. 
Coverage. 
– 
This 
Act 
shall 
cover 
the 
following: 
(a) Work Immersion Programs for Grade 12 Students - Any work
immersion programs required as part of the curriculum for Grade 12
students, whether in public or private schools.
(b) Internship Programs or On-the-Job Training (OJT) for College
Students - Any internship or on-the-job training programs required as
part of the curriculum for college or tertiary level students in both public
and private higher education institutions.
logistically challenging may obstruct access to education, especially for those from
ERIC G. YAP AND RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES ERWIN T. TULFO, EDVIC G. YAP


 
 
SECTION 3. Prohibition on Mandatory Immersion or Internship Programs 
Outside the Province or Abroad. – No secondary or higher education institution shall 
require students enrolled therein to complete immersion, internship, or on-the-job 
(OJT) training programs abroad or outside the province where such institution is 
located as a requirement for graduation or the completion of a course or curriculum. 
 
SECTION 4. Voluntary Participation. – Nothing in this Act shall prohibit 
students or their parents or guardians from willingly availing of student immersion, 
internship, or OJT programs abroad or outside the province where such institution is 
located, provided that such participation is done with full written consent and is not 
a mandatory requirement for graduation or the completion of the course. 
 
For the purpose, all secondary and higher education institutions shall be 
required to submit an annual report to the Department of Education (DepEd) or the 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as may be applicable, detailing all 
immersion, internship, or on-the-job (OJT) programs conducted by their students 
abroad or outside the province where the institution is located within the school year. 
 
SECTION 5. Mandatory Reporting. – (a) All secondary and higher education 
institutions shall be required to submit an annual report to the Department of 
Education (DepEd) or the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as may be 
applicable, detailing all immersion, internship, or on-the-job (OJT) programs 
undertaken by their students abroad or outside the province where the institution is 
located.  
 
(b) Such report shall include copies of the written consent provided by the 
students or their parents or guardians, indicating their voluntary participation in such 
abroad or out-of-province programs, as well as a summary of any financial assistance, 
scholarships, or other support provided to students participating in such programs. 
 
(c) Failure to submit the required annual report or the submission of incomplete 
reports may result in administrative sanctions as determined by DepEd or CHED. 
Repeated non-compliance may lead to additional penalties, including fines or other 
disciplinary measures. 
 
SECTION 6. Penalties. – Any secondary or higher education institution found 
to be in violation of this Act shall be subject to penalties, including fines and sanctions, 
as may be determined by CHED or DepEd. Repeated violations may result in the 
suspension or revocation of the institution's license to operate. 


 
 
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DepEd and CHED, 
in coordination with relevant stakeholders and organizations, shall promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within 
ninety (90) days from its effectivity. 
 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in 
full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules 
and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,