Pacquiao vows to strengthen tertiary education equivalency programs to level up undergrads

Senator Manny Pacquiao. Contributed photo

Presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday said that if elected, his government would open new opportunities for undergraduate Filipinos who have gained enough work experience to merit an advancement in their present professions by expanding the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).

Created by then President Fidel Ramos in 1996 through Executive Order 330, the ETEEAP is a comprehensive educational assessment program at the tertiary level that recognizes, accredits, and gives equivalencies to knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values gained by individuals from relevant work.

It is being implemented through deputized higher education institutions that shall award the appropriate college degree as an alternative education program for Filipinos who are at least high school graduates but have worked for at least five years in the field or industry related to the academic program they are obtaining an equivalency.

Apart from work experience, the ETEEAP applicant must also be able to show proof of proficiency, capability and thorough knowledge in the field applied for equivalency. Since its inception, only 7,240 individuals have obtained accreditation through ETEEAP.

“Maganda ang programang ito dahil napakaraming magagaling sa kanilang pinilig profession pero hindi sila makaangat sa career ladder dahil sila ay undergraduate. Kailangang palakasin natin itong programang ito para mas maraming magbubukas na mga opportunities sa ating mga undergraduates,” said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao said that making the program more accessible to all would help millions of underprivileged Filipinos who were deprived of education due to poverty. As a young boy, he had to quit school so he could work and help his family.

“Alam na alam ko ang pinagdadaanan ng mga kababayan nating walang pinag-aralan dahil sa kahirapan dahil diyan ako galing. Alam ko yung pakiramdam ng taong hirap na hirap umangat sa buhay dahil sa kawalan ng oportunidad. Kailangang buksan ng gobyerno ang mga oportunidad para sa lahat , kahit doon sa mga hindi nakatapos sa pag-aaral,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao obtained his degree in Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Major in Local Government Administration from the University of Makati through a similar program called College of Continuing, Advanced and Professional Studies (CCAPS).

Pacquiao said that while these equivalency and open university programs are offered in some universities, the cost is very prohibitive and the number of deputized higher education institutions needs to be expanded nationwide.

He said that to encourage more people to avail of the program, Pacquiao said he would ask CHED to deputize more schools and find ways to make them more accessible without sacrificing the quality of those who are given equivalency diplomas.

The government can also provide incentives for corporations and other business establishments that sponsor employees for them to avail of the program. The government can also shoulder the fees if their employers cannot afford them.

“Nandyan naman talaga ang programa pero wala masyadong kumukuha kasi medyo masalimuot ang proseso at medyo mataas din ang bayarin depende kung saan ang deputized school. Kailangang maging proactive ang pamahalaan para ialok itong programa sa ating mga kababayan,” Pacquiao said.

He said that there are so many talented and very reliable Filipinos who are stuck in their chosen professions due to their failure to get a diploma.