Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he is optimistic that the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act or Republic Act 12124 will transform Filipinos’ access to higher education as the new law addresses “the pressing need for flexibility and inclusivity in the country’s educational system.”
The ETEEAP Act, Escudero said, would be extremely beneficialy especially for working professionals.
“By recognizing the value of prior learning and work experience, we are creating a pathway for individuals to achieve their academic aspirations without having to sacrifice their careers or personal responsibilities,” the Senate President said.
Under the ETEEAP Act, Filipino citizens, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, can apply for equivalency and accreditation, provided they meet the necessary requirements.
Applicants must be at least 23 years old at the time of application and have completed a secondary education program. This can be supported by a high school diploma or certifications such as the Philippine Educational Placement Test or the Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency Assessment.
According to Senate President Escudero, he is optimistic that the ETEEAP Act will inspire more policies and programs aimed at fostering inclusive and practical approaches to education, which will lead to a stronger and more competitive Filipino workforce.
“As the former chair of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, I am proud to have championed this measure and witnessed its realization,” Escudero said.
“I extend my gratitude to President Marcos for signing this transformative legislation into law. The ETEEAP Act is a game-changer, making higher education more accessible, especially to Filipinos who have gained significant skills and knowledge outside traditional classrooms,” the Senate leader added.
Sen. Joel Villanueva also thanked the President for recognizing the importance of the ETEEAP, which he described as a “significant milestone for both our education and labor sectors.”
“We laud the signing of ETEEAP Act which is vital in helping our workers towards career advancement,” Villanueva said.
“The ETEEAP will ensure that the skills, knowledge, and experience gained in the workplace are acknowledged and translated into academic credits, ultimately enabling the attainment of an appropriate academic degree,” he stressed.
“This will open new doors for career advancement, helping many Filipinos further their education while continuing their professional journey,” Villanueva added.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, also welcomed the signing into law of the ETEEAP which will largely benefit Filipinos who were unable to earn a college degree as it offers them alternative means to earn a bachelor’s degree.
The law, Gatchalian noted, will benefit college undergraduates, working professionals, and graduates of high school, senior high school, and post-secondary technical-vocational courses who have yet to complete tertiary education.
The senator noted that as of December 2023, there were 110 deputized public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) offering ETEEAP, with the program producing an average of 3,000 graduates annually.
While the ETEEAP has been in place since 1996 by virtue of Executive Order No. 330, its institutionalization will help increase the number of graduates and the deputized higher education institutions (HEIs) implementing the program.
“Moving forward, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the lead agency in the ETEEAP’s implementation, should ensure that measures are in place to safeguard the program’s quality and integrity,” Gatchalian said.
“Kailangang tiyakin natin na para sa ating mga kababayang patuloy na nangangarap na makatapos ng kolehiyo, hindi masasayang ang pangalawang pagkakataong ihahatid natin sa kanila (We must ensure that for Filipinos who continue to dream of graduating from college, the second chance we provide them will not be wasted),” he said.