Section 3
SEC. 3. A new Section 5-A is hereby inserted to read as follows: "SEC. 5-A. Equity in Participation in SUCs, LUCs, and State-Run TVIs. - To promote equity in access to quality tertiary education, all SUCs, LUCs, and state-run TVIs shall develop, publicly disclose, and implement an equity and inclusion plan (EIP) outlining the specific targets and measures adopted to support learners from disadvantaged backgrounds in accessing and completing tertiary education; Such measures may include, but are not limited to: (a) provision of assistive devices and technologies during the admission process; (b) priority allocation of available housing or dormitory facilities; (c) waiver of admission examination fees; and (d) consideration of an applicant's contextual factors in admission evaluation, which shall be documented and without prejudice to institutional academic freedom, merit-based admission standards, and program-specific requirements. The CHED and TESDA, in consultation with the UniFAST Board, shall issue implementing guidelines for EIPs, which may be differentiated by institution type, program, and geographic context. These guidelines shall be reviewed at least every four (4) years, taking into account enrollment data, equity outcomes, and institutional capacity."