THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved on second reading a measure that will allow poor and bright students to have free college entrance examination.

House Bill 5001 or the proposed Free College Entrance Examinations Act mandates private higher education institutions to waive the college entrance examination fees for underprivileged graduating high school students and high school graduates belonging to the top 10 percent of their graduating class.

The beneficiaries will be those whose parents have a combined income that falls below the poverty threshold determined by the National Economic and Development Authority and by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The bill aims to expand the access to quality higher education for underprivileged students.

The measure will ensure that poor but deserving graduating high school students are given adequate assistance as well as equal opportunities to pursue their college education.