The House of Representatives on Monday, Dec. 12, passed on the third and final reading a proposed measure that would allow students with unpaid school fees to take their periodic or final examinations.
With 237 votes, the lower chamber passed House Bill (HB) No. 6483, or “An Act Allowing College Students with Unpaid Tuition and Other School Fees to Take the Periodic and Final Examinations on Good Cause and Justifiable Grounds.”
The proposed measure will cover both private and public colleges and universities.
Noting the State’s responsibility of protecting and promoting the right of citizens to quality education, and to make education accessible to all, the bill would allow students in higher education institutions (HEIs) to take their exams regardless of unpaid fees and tuition.
“College students enrolled in HEIs shall have the responsibility of meeting the academic and institutional requirements of the HEIs, including the prompt payment of financial obligations as defined and determined by the HEI at the time of enrollment, subject to penalties and sanctions for non-compliance,” the bill said.
“Considering that higher education is imbued with public interest, all HEIs shall adopt appropriate policies to accommodate and allow students who, due to emergencies, force majeure, and good cause or other justifiable reasons, have unsettled financial obligations to take the scheduled periodic examinations,” it continued.
The proposed measure, however, does not neglect the responsibility of students to comply with the school requirements of paying fees. It only allows them reprieve during emergencies.
The students would be allowed to take exams despite unpaid school tuition and fees if they execute a promissory note for the schedule of settlement of the outstanding financial obligation prior to the taking of examination.
The bill also furthered the deferment of payment of unpaid balance shall not go beyond the semester, except only when allowed by the HEIs.
“School authorities shall have the right to withhold the issuance of appropriate clearance and transfer credentials of college students with unpaid financial obligations and refuse their enrollment in the next enrollment period, whether semester or trimester, until all previous delinquencies are fully paid,” the bill stated.
Under the bill, HEIs found guilty of violating any provision of this measure shall be “subject to administrative sanctions by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) pursuant to its powers under Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the ‘Higher Education Act of 1994.’”
“Students found guilty of committing any act of fraud, falsehood or misrepresentation in availing themselves of the benefits of this Act shall be subject to appropriate administrative and disciplinary sanctions of the HEI,” it said.
Authors of the bill include House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, and Reps. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., Raoul Manuel, Mark Go, Jose Gay Padiernos, Jose Maria Zubiri Jr., Eulogio Rodriguez, Edgar Chatto, Laarni Lavin Roque, Jude Acidre, John Tracy Cagas, Maria Carmen Zamora, Lani Mercado-Revilla, Ruth Mariano-Hernandez, Jose Aquino II, Isidro Lumayag, Drixie Mae Cardema, Mikaela Angela Suansing, JC Abalos, Edwin Olivarez, Gabriel Bordado Jr., Maria Theresa Collantes, Eric Buhain, Danny Domingo, Samuel Verzosa Jr., Lordan Suan, Edsel Galeos, Maximo Dalog Jr., Ma. Lucille Nava, Ivan Howard Guintu, Antonieta Eudela, Charisse Anne Hernandez, Francisco Paolo Ortega V, Yasser Alonto Balindong, Jeyzel Victoria Yu, Zia Alonto Adiong, Rhea Mae Gullas, Carl Nicolas Cari, Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, Ralph Wendel Tulfo, Khymer Adan Olaso, Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, Adrian Jay Advincula, Edwin Gardiola, Joselito Sacdalan, Rosanna Vergara, and Ramon Jolo Revilla
III.