FREE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM ACT LAPSES INTO LAW

MANILA, Philippines — A measure mandating private higher education institutions to waive college entrance examination fees and charges for college admission lapsed into law on June 14, Malacañang said Friday.

Republic Act (RA) 12006 or the Free College Entrance Examinations Act lapsed into law without the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after it had been passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on Dec. 11, 2023.

Legislative measures lapse into law if the President fails to take action — approve or veto — within 30 days from the receipt of the proposals.

RA 12006 stresses the need to assist disadvantaged students who show potential for academic excellence by exempting qualified graduates and graduating students from payment of entrance examination fees.

"All private HEIs (Higher Education Institutions) are hereby mandated to waive the college entrance examination fees and charges imposed on qualified graduates and graduating students who are applying for college admission," according to the new law.

Under RA 12006, a graduating student will be eligible for the waiver of college entrance exams and charges on five conditions.

First, a graduate or a graduating student must be a natural-born Filipino citizen. Second, the student must belong to the top 10 percent of the graduating class. Third, the student must also belong to a family whose combined household income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority.

Fourth, qualified students are required to apply for college entrance exams to any private higher schools within the country, and fifth, they must satisfy all the requirements of the private school.

The Commission on Higher Education is authorized to determine and impose appropriate sanctions against private schools for violating the law.

It is also mandated to promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the law within 60 days from its effectivity in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd).

The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines, or its equivalent institution, will also be consulted for drafting the IRR.

RA 12006, which was released to the media on Friday, takes effect immediately following its publication in the Official Gazette, or in two newspapers of general circulation.

2024-06-28T04:54:01Z dg43tfdfdgfd