QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 141)
RA No. 12006 is titled the “Free College Entrance Examinations Act.” Its purpose is to mandate private HEIs to waive college entrance examination fees and certain charges for qualified graduates and graduating students, to democratize access to tertiary education.
Section 2 declares the State’s policy to protect and promote the right to quality education and to democratize access to tertiary education by assisting disadvantaged students with potential for academic excellence through exemption from private HEI entrance examination fees.
It refers to examinations administered by private HEIs that serve as one of the criteria for selecting prospective students for admission.
They are learners who have completed or are about to complete: (1) the Enhanced Basic Education Program under RA 10533; (2) Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency Assessments and Certifications under RA 11510; and (3) other similar educational programs and related accreditation/equivalency assessments and certifications identified by DepEd.
It is the stage of formal education requiring completion of secondary education and covering programs leading to bachelor and advanced degrees, including associate degrees.
A CHED-recognized HEI owned or operated by private persons (natural or juridical) whether applying for college admission.
A graduate or graduating student must: (a) be a natural-born Filipino citizen; (b) be in the top ten percent (10%) of the graduating class; (c) belong to a family with combined household income below the poverty threshold as defined by NEDA or be unable to sustain provision of minimum basic needs, certified by DSWD; (d) apply for the entrance examination to any private HEI within the country; and (e) satisfy other requirements specified by the private HEI concerned.
The poverty threshold is as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The inability to sustain provision of minimum basic needs or membership in the income below the poverty threshold must be duly certified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Only those who meet the specific qualifications in Section 5 (Filipino citizen, top 10% of graduating class, below poverty threshold or cannot afford minimum basic needs—certified by DSWD, applying to a private HEI in the country, and meeting other HEI requirements) are covered.
Private HEIs may still impose “other requirements” specified by them, as long as they pertain to admission/exam application processes and do not nullify the waiver granted to students who meet the statutory eligibility criteria.
CHED is authorized to determine and impose appropriate sanctions against responsible officials or employees of private HEIs for failure/refusal to comply, pursuant to Section 8(e) of RA No. 7722 (Higher Education Act of 1994).
CHED, in coordination with DepEd and in consultation with the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (or its equivalent), will promulgate the implementing rules and regulations.
Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of the Act.
Fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
If any provision or part is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or provisions not affected remain in full force and effect.
All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or portions thereof inconsistent with RA No. 12006 are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
It indicates the Act became law without the President’s signature because it “lapsed into law” on June 14, 2024 in accordance with Article VI, Section 27(1) of the Constitution—i.e., the President did not sign within the constitutionally required period and Congress thus had the law take effect.
No. Eligibility requires both being in the top ten percent (10%) and meeting the poverty/inability-to-afford criterion certified by DSWD (below NEDA poverty threshold or inability to sustain minimum basic needs).