CHED issues closure order to Borongan City college for non-compliance with standards

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced on Wednesday, Feb. 5, that it has issued a closure order to a college in Borongan City due to its failure to meet required academic and operational standards.

In a statement, CHED confirmed that it has ordered the immediate closure and revocation of the Government Recognition (GR) for the programs of Our Lady of Mercy College (OLMC) in Borongan City, effective for the Academic Year (AY) 2025-2026.

CHED explained that the closure order was issued due to OLMC's failure to comply with the Commission’s Policies, Standards, and Guidelines (PSGs).

“The closure is issued to ensure student access to quality education,” CHED Secretary Popoy De Vera said.

Non-compliance

In December 2023, CHED ordered the immediate closure and revocation of the GR for the BEEd and two-year Midwifery programs of OLMC.

Additionally, a show-cause order was issued due to the institution's failure to comply with CHED PSGs regarding its offering of the BS Criminology and BS Nursing programs.

De Vera explained that, upon evaluation by CHED through its Regional Office VIII, OLMC was found to be “non-compliant” with the PSGs for the Criminology and Nursing programs, which led to the “need for the imposition of sanctions by CHED.”

CHED also added that students had “raised complaints about the issuance of their school records and credentials” with media outlets and CHEDRO Region VIII.

“The Commission has done what we can to help OLMC, but the college remains non-compliant with our PSGs,” De Vera said.

Affected students

Following the closure order, CHED assured that it is assisting the students affected at OLMC so they can transfer to compliant higher education institutions (HEIs).

“Rest assured that we will assist in the transfer of affected students to reputable HEIs,” De Vera said.

CHED explained that 4th-year students are “still allowed to continue their studies and graduate” by the end of AY 2024-2025.

First-year, second-year, and third-year students, on the other hand, will be assisted by CHEDRO 8 in transferring to other recognized programs or HEIs.