University of Cabuyao must explain basis of 'English-only' policy — CHED

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said on Wednesday, Feb. 5, that it had already asked the leadership of a local university in Cabuyao, Laguna, to explain its 'English-only' policy, which continues to draw criticism on social media.

“I have already talked to the Pamantasan ng Cabuyao [PNC] President to understand the basis and intent of his proposed policy,” CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III told reporters in a Viber message.

De Vera said this after CHED was asked to comment on the viral post of PNC requiring the use of English only inside the campus premises.

“I advised him to immediately issue a press release to explain and clarify the issue and to respond to media interviews,” De Vera said, referring to the university’s president, Librado Dimaunahan.

“It is best that the media interview him so he can explain the proposed policy,” De Vera added.

‘English-speaking’ campus

PNC, in a now-deleted Facebook post, declared itself an “English-speaking campus” starting Feb. 3, 2025.

This, the university said, is “in line with our vision of developing globally competitive and world-class students.”

With the new policy, PNC said “all transactions/engagements with officers, students, employees, and workers should be communicated in ENGLISH, whether written or otherwise.”

In the announcement signed by Dimaunahan, he noted that the new policy is “for strict compliance.”

In the same post, PNC also encouraged “everyone to fully support” the said initiative “as we strive to produce globally competent graduates.”