Breaking Barriers Beyond Graduation: Rep. Ping Remulla’s Push to Waive Licensure Exam Fees for Indigent Graduates
In a country where education is often hailed as the great equalizer, the journey from classroom to career remains riddled with financial hurdles—especially for students from low-income families. While the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (RA 10931) has opened doors to free college education, a critical gap remains: the cost of professional licensure exams.
Recognizing this, Cavite 7th District Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” Remulla is championing a bold and compassionate legislative measure that seeks to waive licensure and certification exam fees for indigent graduates. His proposal aims to ensure that the promise of free education does not end at graduation, but extends to the very threshold of employment.
“Sayang naman kung hindi nila ma-practice ang pinag-aralan nila dahil lang hindi makapag-exam,” Rep. Remulla emphasized—words that reflect the lived realities of thousands of Filipino graduates who, despite completing their degrees, are unable to take the next step due to unaffordable exam fees.
This initiative is more than a policy—it’s a lifeline. For many students who have overcome poverty to earn a diploma, the cost of licensure exams administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and other certifying bodies becomes a final, heartbreaking barrier. Without a license, their education remains a dream deferred.
Rep. Remulla’s measure seeks to change that. By removing this financial roadblock, the bill empowers deserving graduates to fully enter their chosen professions—whether in teaching, engineering, healthcare, or other regulated fields—without being held back by economic limitations.
As an advocate for inclusive development, I see this proposal as a natural and necessary extension of RA 10931. It aligns with the broader vision of a society where merit, not money, determines opportunity. It’s a call to action for a nation that believes in uplifting its people through education—not just in the classroom, but all the way to the workplace.
This legislation challenges us to rethink how we define access. It reminds us that true empowerment means ensuring that no Filipino is denied a future simply because they cannot afford to prove their qualifications. In supporting this bill, we affirm our collective commitment to a more equitable, compassionate, and forward-looking Philippines.
Because when we invest in our youth—not just in their schooling, but in their success—we don’t just change lives. We build a stronger nation.
