By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted autonomous and deregulated status to 84 Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) nationwide.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
CHED Chairman J. Prospero De Vera III, in CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 12 series of 2019, announced the grant of autonomous status to 68 PHEIs and deregulated status to 16 PHEIs after evaluation.
De Vera noted that the grant of the autonomous status and deregulated status to the said PHEIs is pursuant to the provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which assert that the State shall “exercise reasonable supervision and regulation of all educational institutions” as cited in the Section 4, Article XIV as well as in accordance with the “pertinent provisions” of the Republic Act (RA) No. 7722 or the “Higher Education Act of 1994.”
The grating of the said status, De Vera added, is also in view of the implementation of CMO No. 46 s. of 2012 or the “Policy-Standard to Enhance Quality Assurance (QA) in the Philippine Higher Education Through an Outcomes-based and Typology-based QA” and by the virtue of Commission en Banc Resolution No. 651-2019.
PHEIs granted with Autonomous Status included Lyceum Northwestern University and University of Luzon (both in Dagupan City) and Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation (Pangasinan) in Region 1; St. Paul University Philippines and University of Saint Louis (both in Cagayan), Angeles University Foundation and Holy Angel University (both in Pampanga), Baliuag University and Centro Escolar University-Malolos (both in Bulacan) and Wesleyan University (Cabanatuan City) in Region II; Adventist University of the Philippines, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, and De La Salle University (all in Cavite), Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Calamba, Malayan Colleges (both in Laguna), Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas, Lyceum of the Philippines University-Laguna, Manuel S. Envarga University Foundation (Lucena City), Saint Michael’s College of Laguna, University of Batangas, University of Perpetual Help System Laguna in Region IV; Ateneo de Naga University in Region V; Central Philippine University (Iloilo City), John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation-Bacolod (Negros Oriental), John B. Lacson Maritime University-Arevalo (Iloilo City) and University of St. La Salle (Bacolod City) in Region VI.
In Region VII, the PHEIs granted with Autonomous status were Cebu Institute of Technology -University, Silliman University (Dumaguete City), St. Paul University Dumaguete, University of Cebu, University of San Carlos and University of San Jose-Recoletos (both in Cebu City). Meanwhile, Ateneo de Zamboanga University was the only PHEI granted Autonomous Status while Capitol University (Cagayan de Oro) and Misamis University (Ozamiz City) in Region X were given the same status.
Ateneo De Davao University, University of the Immaculate Conception and University of Mindanao (all in Davao City) and University of Mindanao-Digos College (Davao del Sur) were given Autonomous Status in Region XI. Saint Louis University, University of Baguio and University of the Cordilleras (all in Baguio City) also received the same status.
Meanwhile, the National Capital Region (NCR) had the highest number of PHEIs given Autonomous Status. Of the 68 PHEIs nationwide granted with Autonomous Status, a total of 26 NCR PHEIs were included in the list namely Adamson University, AMA University, Asia Pacific College, Assumption College, Centro Escolar University, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Far Easter University, Jose Rizal University, Lyceum of the Philippines University -Manila, Mapua University, Miriam College, National University, Our Lady of Fatima University-Quezon City, Our Lady of Fatima University, Philippine Christian University, Southville International School and Colleges, St. Paul University Quezon City, St. Paul University Manila, Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila, Technological Institute of the Philippines - QC, Trinity University of Asia, University of Asia and the Pacific, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, University of the East-Caloocan and University of the East.
Meanwhile, there are 16 PHEIs granted with Deregulated Status which include Lorma Colleges and Saint Louis College (both in La Union) and Northwestern University in Laoag City - Region I; La Consolacion University Philippines in Bulacan - Region III; St. Dominic College of Asia and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA-Molino (both in Cavite) and University of Perpetual Help System-DALTA-Calamba - Region IV; Filamer Christian University in Capiz and University of San Agustin in Iloilo City - Region VI; Holy Name University in Bohol and University of the Visayas in Cebu CIty - Region VII; Cor Jesu College in Davao del Sur and University of Mindanao-Tagum College in Davao del Norte - Region XI; Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in General Santos City - Region XII and Philippine Women’s University and San Beda University (both in Manila) - NCR.
“The autonomous and deregulated status granted to these HEIs and its benefits are exclusive to the campuses/sites specified” and “are not extended to their other campuses,” De Vera reminded.
On the other hand, De Vera said that the CHED “however recognizes that the instrument in the evaluation of the grants should be reviewed in order to keep pace globally with the quality assurance and accreditation.” He added that subsequent grants of the Commission “shall be based on a revised instrument to be issued by CHED.”
De Vera noted that the said revision shall include bit not be limited to criteria for institutional and program excellence; evaluation process and the validity of the period of the status; and point system and the operational definitions.
“Considering the current guidelines of the Commission and the need to revise the instrument, the validity of the autonomous and deregulated status granted to these HEIs shall be for a period of two years commencing from 01 June 2019 until 31 May 2021.”
De Vera also reminded that all PHEIs granted such status “are enjoined to comply with the conditions of the grant” as provided under the CMO No. 19 s. of 2016 and “ensure compliance with existing CHED policies, standards and guidelines.”
As defined in the CMO no. 46 s. 2012, there are three types of HEIs: the Autonomous HEIs and Deregulated HEIs (by evaluation) and Regulated HEIs. Autonomous HEIs are those that “demonstrate instructional quality and enhancement through internal QA systems, and demonstrate excellent program outcomes through a high proportion of accredited programs, the presence of centers of Excellence and/or Development, and/or international certification” while Deregulated HEIs are those that “demonstrate very good institutional quality and enhancement through internal QA systems, and demonstrate very good program outcomes through a good proportion of accredited programs, the presence of centers of Excellence and/or Development, and/or international certification.” Regulated HEIs, meanwhile, are those institutions “which still need to demonstrate good institutional quality and program outcomes.”