From The Manila Times -
(REPUBLIC Act 12006, or the Free College Entrance Examinations Act, lapsed into law on June 14, without President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. having to sign it, Malacañang said on Friday.
Legislative measures lapse into law if the President does not take action — approve or veto — within 30 days from the receipt of the proposals.
The measure was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on Dec. 11, 2023.
The law mandates all higher education institutions to waive the entrance examination fees and charges imposed on qualified graduates and graduating high school students applying for college admission.
To be eligible for free college entrance exams, qualified students must be natural-born Filipino citizens, must belong to the top 10 percent of their graduating class, and must belong to a family whose combined household income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority.
Penalties for violators will be determined by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).
The CHEd and the Department of Education were tasked to promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law within 60 days of its effectivity.
The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines, or its equivalent institution, will be consulted for drafting the law's IRR.
Speaker Martin Romualdez lauded the passage of the bill, saying the new law ensures that higher education opportunities are not hindered by economic barriers.
"This law is a crucial step in our efforts to provide equal educational opportunities for all Filipinos, regardless of their financial situation," Romualdez said.
Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Danniel Manuel said that while the bill is commendable, its qualifying conditions are restrictive.
"We see that the education system remains commercialized, with many expensive fees being paid even if you have not yet enrolled in the school, like the entrance examinations fee," Manuel said.
WITH RED MENDOZA
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