AN ACT MANDATING PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO WAIVE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FEES AND CHARGES OF CERTAIN STUDENTS QUALIFIED TO APPLY FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12006, June 14, 2024 ]

AN ACT MANDATING PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO WAIVE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FEES AND CHARGES OF CERTAIN STUDENTS QUALIFIED TO APPLY FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION

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 College Entrance Examinations Act".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and to democratize access to quality tertiary education. In line with this declared policy, and in cognizance of the need to assist disadvantaged students that show potential for academic excellence, the State shall exempt qualified graduates and graduating students from payment of entrance examination fees administered by private higher education institutions (HEIs).

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act:

Section 5. Eligibility Requirements. - A graduate or graduating student shall be eligible for the waiver of college entrance examination fees and charges upon the satisfaction of the following qualification and requirements:

Section 6. Penalties. - The CHED is hereby authorized, in accordance with Section 8(e) of Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994", to determine and impose appropriate sanctions against responsible officials or employees of private HEIs for failure or refusal to comply with the provisions of this Act.

Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the CHED shall, in coordination with the DepEd and in consultation with the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines, or its equivalent institution, promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, 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,

This Act was passed by the Senate of the Philippines as Senate Bill No. 2441 on December 11, 2023 and adopted by the House of Representatives as an amendment to House Bill No. 5001 on March 19, 2024.

Approved: Lapsed into law on JUN 14 2024 without the signature of the President, in accordance with Article VI Section 27(1) of the Constitution

FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.
President of the Philippines