BILLS ON FREE PRIVATE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS, 'BULACAN ECOZONE' NOW LAWS —PALACE
Private college entrance examinations are now free for smart but impoverished students after a bill mandating it has lapsed into law on June 14, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Friday.
"Republic Act (RA) 12006, or the Free College Entrance Examinations Act, emphasizes the need to assist disadvantaged students who show potential for academic excellence," the PCO said.
The law "exempts qualified graduates and graduating students from payment of entrance examination fees administered by private higher education institutions (HEIs)," the PCO added.
The qualifications for free college entrance examinations are the following:
- must be a natural-born Filipino citizen
- must belong to the top 10% of the graduating class.
- must belong to a family whose combined household income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
- should apply for college entrance exams to any private higher schools within the country.
- must satisfy all the requirements of the private school
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is authorized to determine and impose the sanctions against violating private schools, according to PCO.
In coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), CHED is set to promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the law within 60 days from its effectivity.
The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines or its equivalent institution will be consulted for the IRR.
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. welcomed the enactment of the Free College Entrance Examinations Act.
Escudero said this is another milestone in making education accessible for everyone.
"Certain entrance exam fees are equivalent to a day's minimum wage, which means that taking the exam could result in foregoing meals for an entire family. Hopefully, the new law will address this issue. No family should go hungry for a day because they've traded food money for an examination fee," the Senate President said.
Revilla, a principal author of the new law, hoped that many students would benefit from the measure.
"Hindi na poproblemahin ng ating mga kapos ngunit matatalinong mga estudyante ang pambayad sa entrance exam sa kolehiyo. Hindi na hadlang ang kakapusan para unti-unti nilang maabot ang kanilang mga pangarap sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon," Revilla said.
(Entrance exam fees will no longer be a burden for those who are less privileged. Poverty will no longer hinder them from reaching their dreams.)
Bulacan EcoZone
Meanwhile, a bill establishing the Bulacan Special Economic Zone (EcoZone) and Freeport as well as the Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (BEZA) has lapsed into law on June 13, the PCO said.
Under the Republic Act 11999 or the Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport Act, the Bulacan EcoZone shall cover the airport project and the airport city project. It will be managed by the BEZA.
“The BEZA shall be organized within 180 days upon the effectivity of the law, which will take effect 15 days following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette, or in a newspaper of general circulation,” the PCO said.
In consultation with the NEDA, the BEZA shall establish the general framework for land use, planning and development for the area covered by BuZ, consistent with the Philippine Development Plan of the government.
Under the Constitution, the President has 30 days to sign or veto a bill transmitted to his office. A bill lapses into law when the President does not act on it within 30 days. —with report from Hana Bordey/KBK/AOL, GMA Integrated News
This article Bills on free private college entrance exams, 'Bulacan EcoZone' now laws —Palace was originally published in GMA News Online.
2024-06-28T02:12:12Z dg43tfdfdgfd