A bill mandating private higher education institutions to waive college entrance examination fees for students qualified for college admission has lapsed into law as of June 14.
Republic Act (RA) 12006, also known as the Free College Entrance Examinations Act, aims to support disadvantaged students who demonstrate academic potential. The new law exempts qualified graduates and graduating students from paying entrance examination fees administered by private higher education institutions (HEIs).
Eligibility requires students to meet five criteria: be a natural-born Filipino citizen, rank in the top 10 percent of their class, come from a family with an income below the NEDA-defined poverty threshold, apply to private HEIs in the Philippines, and fulfill all school requirements.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will enforce the law, impose penalties on violators, and draft the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) within 60 days, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) and private education associations.
According to the Constitution, the President has 30 days to sign or veto a bill after it is transmitted to his office. If the President takes no action within this period, the bill automatically becomes law.
The law took effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation.
Senator Ramon Revilla, Jr. who championed the bill in the Senate welcomed this development. He noted its expected benefits to underprivileged but hardworking and intelligent students.
“This is another milestone in our quest to make education accessible for everyone. Now, we can look forward to a more equitable and inclusive educational landscape. RA 12006 stands as a testament to the power of Executive-Legislative collaboration and the unwavering dedication to providing quality education for all,” Senate President Francis Escudero said for his part.
In March 2024, Revilla’s ‘Anti ‘No Permit, No Exam Policy’ Act’ (RA 11984) was also enacted into law. This measure also aimed to promote student welfare by prohibiting the practice of ‘no permit, no exam’ in public and private educational institutions. –With Macon Ramos-Araneta
