Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 12006)
The short title of Republic Act No. 12006 is the "Free College Entrance Examinations Act".
The policy declared by the State is to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and to democratize access to quality tertiary education by exempting qualified graduates and graduating students from payment of entrance examination fees administered by private higher education institutions.
Graduates and graduating students refer to learners who have completed or are about to complete the Enhanced Basic Education Program under Republic Act No. 10533, Accreditation and Equivalency Assessments and Certifications for Senior High School Level under the Alternative Learning System under Republic Act No. 11510, and other similar educational programs or certifications identified by the Department of Education (DepEd).
College entrance examinations refer to examinations administered by private higher education institutions that serve as one of the criteria in the selection of prospective students for admission.
Private higher education institutions are those HEIs duly recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), owned or operated by private persons, natural or juridical, that administer college entrance examinations within the country.
The requirements include: (a) being a natural-born Filipino citizen; (b) belonging to the top ten percent (10%) of their graduating class; (c) belonging to a family whose combined household income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by NEDA or certified by DSWD as unable to provide for minimum basic needs; (d) applying for college entrance examination to any private HEI within the country; and (e) satisfying other requirements specified by the private HEI concerned.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is authorized to determine and impose appropriate sanctions against responsible officials or employees of private HEIs for failure or refusal to comply with this Act.
CHED shall promulgate the IRR within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, in coordination with DepEd and in consultation with the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines or its equivalent institution.
The Separability Clause provides that if any provision or part of the Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder or any provision not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
The Act took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation following its lapse into law on June 14, 2024.