MANILA – The bills waiving the private college entrance examination fees for qualified students and creating a Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport have lapsed into law, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Friday.
In a statement, the PCO said Republic Act (RA) 12006, or the Free College Entrance Examinations Act, exempts qualified graduates and graduating students from paying entrance examination fees administered by private higher education institutions (HEIs).
According to the PCO, RA 12006, which lapsed into law on June 14, "emphasizes the need to assist disadvantaged students who show potential for academic excellence."
To be eligible for free college entrance exams, qualified students must be a natural-born Filipino citizen, 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 (NEDA).
Qualified students should apply for the college entrance exams of any private higher schools within the country and must satisfy their requirements.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will determine and impose sanctions against violating private schools.
The CHED, in coordination with the Department of Education, is also mandated 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 IRR.
Bulacan EcoZone
Meanwhile, the PCO said Republic Act 11999, which establishes the Bulacan Special
Economic Zone (EcoZone) Freeport or the Bulacan EcoZone and the Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (BEZA), lapsed into law on June 13.
Under the law, the BEZA shall manage the Bulacan EcoZone, which covers the airport and the airport city projects.
“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 NEDA, BEZA shall establish the general framework for land use, planning, and development for the area covered by Bulacan EcoZone, consistent with the Philippine Development Plan of the government.
If the President does not act on a proposed law submitted by Congress, it will lapse into law after 30 days of receipt, according to the Official Gazette.