Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. joined those who welcomed the recent signing of Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act, which he said would a boon for Filipinos who do not have the time nor financial resources to go back to college to finish or obtain their college degrees. 

"The program will further break down barriers for those who want to get their college degrees," Abante, a pastor-preacher, said in a statement Thursday, March 6.

Abante says ETEEAP will be a boon for experienced workers who were forced to set aside their dreams of finishing college.

It also benefits working students who were unable to complete their degrees, as well as individuals who have spent years in the workforce but lack formal academic credentials. 

"Marami sa kanila gustong bumalik sa kolehiyo, pero syempre, dahil may pamilya na sila, wala silang oras (A lot of them want to go back to college, but since they already have families of their own, they don't have the time for it)," explained the lawmaker. 

Abante, one of the principal authors of the measure, added that "many who aspire to return to college also find the financial requirements challenging; this law addresses this reality as well".

He says ETEEAP is consistent with the 1987 Constitution’s provisions that mandate the government to make education accessible to all. 

"Education should not be limited by financial constraints or life circumstances. Through this law, we are opening another door for Filipinos to attain higher education and improve their lives," said the chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights.

Under the law, qualified applicants will be assessed based on their skills, training, and experience, with accredited higher education institutions granting them equivalency credits toward their degree.  

The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the program, including financial assistance for qualified applicants.