NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
..h ; ■ C-’f: • re at ,
24 FEB 22 P3 S9
SENATE
1 Bv.
SENATE BILL NO.
2568
Prepared and submitted jointly by the Committees on Higher, Technical and 
Vocational Education; and Finance with Senators VHiar (M.), Escudero, and Angara 
as authors thereof
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE EXPANDED TERTIARY EDUCATION 
EQUIVALENCY AND ACCREDITATION PROGRAM (ETEEAP) AND 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Expanded Tertiary
2 
Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
4 
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and take
5 
appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all, and to establish,
6 
maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education
7 
relevant to the needs of the people and society. Towards this end, and in line with
8 
the need to encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as
9 
well as self-learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly
10 
those that respond to community needs, the State shall develop and maintain
11 
innovative educational and training pathways and equivalencies which facilitate the
12 
flexible entry and exchange among formal, non-formal and informal leaning systems,
13 
and between these systems and the labor market.


1 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act:
2 
{d) Accreditation shall refer to the process of identifying, assessing, validating
3 
and recognizing learning obtained by the individual through formal, non-formal and
4 
informal training or experiences;
5 
(b) Center of Exceiience / Center of Deveiopment shall refer to a public or
6 
private higher education institution (HEI) that has attained a certain level of quality
7 
or standard in a given field of instruction, research, or extension as identified by the
8 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
9 
(c) Equivaiency shall refer to the process of assigning academic credits
10 
equivalent to the competence demonstrated by an individual by means of
11 
assessment test, demonstrations, or actual work performance;
12 
(d) Format Learning shall refer to the hierarchically structured and chronically
13 
graded learning organized and provided by the formal school system and for which
14 
certification is required in order for the learner to progress through the grades or
15 
move to higher levels;
16 
(e) Higher Education Institution (HEI) shall refer to an institution of higher
17 
learning which primarily offers degree-granting programs duly recognized by CHED
18 
and leading to the conferment of a diploma;
19 
(f) Informai Learning shall refer to non-structured and non-directed learning
20 
obtained from experiences at home, place of work, community, civil society, religious
21 
institutions, mass media, and other incidental sources;
22 
(g) Non-Formai Learning shall refer to the intentional learning gained through
23 
participation in organized workplace-based training, non-credit courses, and
24 
workshops wherein the completion of which does not lead to the receipt of formal
25 
credit;
26 
(h) Program or ETEEAP shall refer to the Expanded Tertiary Education
27 
Equivaiency and Accreditation Program as institutionalized and defined in Section 4
28 
of this Act;
29 
(i) Refugee shall refer to a natural person who, owing to well-founded fear of
30 
being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a
31 
particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her
32 
nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, unwilling to avail himself or herself
2


1 
of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationaiity and being outside
2 
the country of his or her former habituai residence as a resuit of such events is
3 
unable, or owing to such fear, is unwiliing to return to it; and
4 
(j) Stateless Person shaii refer to a naturai person not considered a nationai
5 
by any State under the operation of its domestic iaw.
6 
Sec. 4. The Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation
7 
Program. - The Expanded Tertiary Education Equivaiency and Accreditation
8 
Program, hereinafter referred to as ETEEAP or the Program, adopted under
9 
Executive Order No. 330 s. 1996, is hereby institutionalized as a comprehensive
10 
program of government to identify, assess, validate, and assign equivalent
11 
undergraduate level of prior iearning from formal, non-formal and informal learning
12 
systems, relevant work experiences and completion of competency enrichment and
13 
other program requirements towards the grant of appropriate academic degrees to
14 
quaiified individuais.
15 
Sec. 5. Qualifications. - Filipino citizens, whether residing in the Philippines or
16 
abroad, may appiy for equivaiency and accreditation if they satisfy the foliowing
17 
requirements:
18 
(a) Must not be less than twenty-three (23) years of age at the time of
19 
application;
20 
(b) Must complete a secondary school program as evidenced by a high schooi
21 
dipioma, or a resuit of the Phiiippine Educationai Piacement Test or Aiternative
22 
Learning System Accreditation and Equivaiency Assessment and Certification stating
23 
that the individual concerned is quaiified to enter first year coilege; and
24 
(c) Must attain at least five (5) years of aggregate work experience in the
25 
industry related to the academic degree program or discipiine where equivalency of
26 
learning is sought: Provided, That in lieu thereof, the applicant may submit
27 
documentation of training programs and workshops attended or a favorable result in
28 
a competency assessment administered by deputized HEI as a prequalifying
29 
requirement.
30 
Sec. 6. Lead Agency. - The CHED shaii serve as the lead agency in the
31 
impiementation of the Program.


1 
Sec. 7. Powers and Functions of CHED. - In addition to the powers and
2 
functions under Republic Act No, 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education
3 
Act of 1994", and other existing laws, the CHED shall exercise the following:
4 
a) Determine and approve the academic degrees to be opened for the
5 
Program;
6 
b) Certify, after thorough evaluation, the pertinent work experiences and
7 
knowledge of expertise acquired by individuals from high-level, non-formal and
8 
informal training towards the awarding of an appropriate academic degree;
9 
c) Determine the deficiencies of an applicant/awardee that would need
10 
remedial studies or academic supplementation through formal course work in order
11 
to satisfy pertinent requirements of an academic degree applied for;
12 
d) Develop, on a continuing basis and with the assistance of technical panels
13 
and other competent authorities, standards, creative methodologies, and criteria for
14 
a diversified mode of assessing skills, values, knowledge, and levels of competence
15 
which should include, but not limited to, instruments such as written examinations,
16 
practical work and/or laboratory demonstrations, and qualification portfolio
17 
assessments;
18 
e) Grant or revoke for cause the authority to HEIs to implement the Program
19 
including the conduct of equivalency assessments, development of assessment tools
20 
and techniques, and/or award of degrees within their area of competence or
21 
specialization;
22 
f) Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Program by deputized
23 
HEIs based on standardized monitoring tool to be developed by CHED;
24 
g) Safeguard the continuing integrity and quality measures of the Program by
25 
linking and cooperating with appropriate development and regulatory agencies and
26 
institutions.
27 
h) Update the Social Development Committee of the National Economic and
28 
Development Authority (NEDA) Board on the implementation of the Program for
29 
policy coordination and monitoring purposes;
30 
i) Set standard fees and other administrative charges for accreditation that
31 
will contribute to and be part of the Special Account of the ETEEAP under the Higher
32 
Education Development Fund;
4


1 
j) Convene an advisory body in accordance with Section 8 of this Act; and
2 
k) Exercise such other powers and functions consistent with the provisions of
3 
this Act.
4 
Sec. 8. ETEEAP Advisory Body. - The CHED may convene, as the need arises,
5 
an advisory body for the purpose of providing broad-based, inter-agency
6 
consultation. The Advisory Body shall be composed of the following:
7 
a) Chairperson of the CHED as the Chair;
8 
b) Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development
9 
Authority (TESDA) as the Vice-Chair;
10 
c) Undersecretary of the Department of Education (DepEd);
11 
d) Undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
12 
e) Undersecretary of the NEDA;
13 
f) Undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);
14 
g) Chairperson of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC);
15 
h) Chairperson of the National Youth Commission (NYC);
16 
i) Representative of private higher educations to be designated by the
17 
Coordinating Council of Private Educational Assistance (COCOPEA);
18 
j) Representative of state universities and colleges to the designated by the
19 
Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC);
20 
k) Representative of local universities and colleges to the designated by the
21 
Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU); and
22 
I) Representative of the business sector to be designated by the Philippine
23 
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
24 
Sec. 9. Deputization of Higher Education Institutions. The CHED may, in the
25 
implementation of the ETEEAP, deputize public and private higher education
26 
institutions that satisfy the following conditions:
27 
(a) That the HEI concerned is a Center of Excellence or Center of
28 
Development in the program or discipline to be offered through ETEEAP; or
29 
(b)That the HEI concerned has a formal accredited status for the academic
30 
degrees or disciplines to be offered through ETEEAP equivalent to a Level II
31 
accreditation awarded by any accrediting agencies duly recognized by CHED:


1 
Provided, That a Certificate of Program Compiiance shali also be required from public
2 
HEIs: Provided, further. That in meritorious cases, CHED may, in lieu of a Level II
3 
accreditation, consider programs of equivalent qualification including but not limited
4 
to: international recognition or accreditation, performance in licensure exams,
5 
research productivity, faculty recognition, and similar factors.
6 
Sec. 10. Eiigibiiity of Refugees and Stateiess Persons. - Refugees and
7 
stateless persons residing in the Philippines shall be eligible to participate in the
8 
Program in accordance with the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
9 
and its 1967 Protocol, the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless
10 
Person: Provided, That the refugee or stateless person concerned shall satisfy the
11 
requirements as enumerated under Section 5 of this Act.
12 
Sec. 11. Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Division.
13 
- To ensure effective implementation of this Act, an Expanded Tertiary Education
14 
Equivalency and Accreditation Division (ETEEAD) shall be created under the Office of
15 
Programs and Standards Development of CHED. In the performance of its functions,
16 
the ETEEAD shall coordinate with the Technical Panel for ETEAAP of the CHED.
17 
The CHED shall determine the organizational and staffing pattern of the
18 
ETEEAD, in accordance with existing civil service laws, rules and regulations and
19 
subject to the review and approval by the Department of Budget and Management
20 
(DBM). The functions currently being performed by other offices and divisions of the
21 
CHED in relation to Program, as well as the personnel, equipment, funds, and
22 
records pertaining thereto, are hereby transferred to the ETEAAD.
23 
Sec. 12. Report to Congress. - The CHED shall submit to the President and to
24 
Congress its report on the status of the Program, as well as its recommendation for
25 
the promotion of innovative educational and training pathways and equivalencies
26 
and the realization of other objectives of this Act.
27 
Sec. 13. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
28 
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
29 
Sec. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
30 
the effectivity of this Act, the CHED shall, in consultation with the DBM and the


1 
ETEEAP Advisory Body created pursuant to Section 8 of this Act, promulgate the
2 
rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
3 
Sec. 15. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
4 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
5 
remain in full force and effect.
6 
Sec. 16. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
7 
rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of
8 
this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
9 
Sec. 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately following its
10 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
< * ' 
tff tlie li'-'1
23 FEB 21 P3:24
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE EXPANDED TERTIARY EDUCATION 
EQUIVALENCY AND ACCREDITATION PROGRAM (ETEEAP) AND 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Poverty remains to be a hindrance to achieve a student's dream to graduate. 
According to a report dated November 2022, there are over 5.6 million Filipino 
families living in poverty according to findings of the "Listahanan survey" released by 
the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Living below the poverty line 
normally causes students to surrender their dream careers and immediately seek for 
jobs to help for family expenses.
This is very true especially during the COVID-19 pandemic where the poor 
chose their family's survival at the expense of the dreams of their children. While 
they were able to gain immediate income due to their employment, it cannot be 
denied that they need to continue their education for them to qualify for promotion 
and salary increase as it entails educational qualification despite vast knowledge and 
experience.
The government is aware of this situation and had been helping Filipinos to 
continue their education while they were working. This is the objective of the 
Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) - an 
alternative education program in the Philippines that allows working professionals, 
but were either unable to finish their college education or were completely unable to 
step into college for different reasons, to earn a bachelor's degree without going 
through traditional schooling methods.
Under ETEEAP, work experience is evaluated and converted to creditable 
educational units to reduce the number of subjects that a working professional has 
to earn to obtain a degree. With this program, only the remaining courses or 
subjects that did not have any equivalent in the evaluation process will be enrolled 
and should be completed in the traditional way.
This bill seeks to institutionalize ETEEAP as an integral part of the educational 
system in the Philippines. Through this bill, the existing ETEEAP shall be
1


strengthened and the criteria for basic qualifications thereof shall be laid down by 
the law to make it more accessible to Filipinos who wants to earn a degree while 
working. The law shall also create a consultative body headed by the Commission on 
Higher Education to provide a broad based inter-agency consultation to ascertain 
that the objective and reach of this program is being met by the government.
This is consistent with Section 2, Article XIV of the Constitution which 
provides that the State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, 
and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society 
and, that the State shall encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning 
systems, all well as self-learning, and out of school study programs particularly those 
that respond to community needs.
For this purpose, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1 f)()R
y-' ss’ctmt'i
23 FFB 21 P3 :24
81*0: 
F'
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE EXPANDED TERTIARY EDUCATION 
EQUIVALENCY AND ACCREDITATION PROGRAM (ETEEAP) AND 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Expanded Tertiary
2 
Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act’.
3 
Sec 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
4 
protect and promote the right of all citizens to qualify education at all levels and
5 
shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.
6 
Further, Section 2, Article XIV of the Constitution provides that the State shall
7 
establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of
8 
education relevant to the needs of the people and society and, that the State shall
9 
encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, all well as self-
10 
learning, and out of school study programs particularly those that respond to
11 
community needs.
12 
In line with this, it is the goal of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency
13 
and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) to strengthen the system of academic
14 
equivalency and validation of the knowledge and expertise derived by individuals


1 
from relevant work experience and high-level, non-formal training in order to
2 
harness their full potentials.
3 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms
4 
shall mean:
5 
a. Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program refers
6 
to the alternate education program in the Philippines that allows working
7 
professionals but were either unable to finish their college education or
8 
were completely unable to step into college for different reasons, to earn
9 
bachelor's degree without going through traditional schooling methods;
10 
b. Higher Education Institution refers to an institution of higher learning
11 
which primarily offers degree-granting programs duly recognized by the
12 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and leading to the conferment of
13 
a diploma; and
14 
c. Tertiary Education refers to higher education degree programs and post-
15 
secondary technical-vocational programs.
16 
Sec. 4. Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program.
17 
- Under this program, professionals with an aggregate of five (5) or more years of
18 
work experience can use the knowledge, experiences, achievements, and skills and
19 
obtained through their jobs to earn school credits that are then deducted from the
20 
total number of units or credits that they are required to earn before they graduate.
21 
The following are the requirements to qualify for the program:
22 
a) Filipino citizens, whether in the Philippines or abroad;
23 
b) Has at least five (5) years of working experiences;
24 
c) Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA);
25 
d) 23 years of age or above;
26 
e) Resume/Curriculum Vitae/Personal Data Sheet;
27 
f) Duly accomplished ETEEAP application form;
28 
g) Service Record or Employment Certificate signed by the Employer;
29 
h) Job Description signed by the Employer; and
30 
i) Transcript of Records.
31 
Sec. 5. Commission on Higher Education. - The Commission on Higher
32 
Education (CHED) shall be the lead agency in the implementation of the provisions
2


1 
of this Act. It shall accredit colleges and universities that seeks to offer the ETEEAP
2 
as part of their academic program.
3 
Sec. 6. Powers and Functions of the Commission. - For purposes of this Act,
4 
the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall discharge the following additional
5 
powers and functions in relation of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and
6 
Accreditation Program (ETEEAP):
7 
a) Certify, after thorough evaluation, the pertinent work experiences and
8 
knowledge of expertise acquired by individuals from high-level, non-formal
9 
and informal training towards the awarding of an appropriate academic
10 
degree;
11 
b) Determine the deficiencies of an applicant/awardee that would need
12 
remedial studies or academic supplementation through formal course work
13 
in order to satisfy pertinent requirements of a degree applied for;
14 
c) Develop, on a counting basis and with the assistance of technical panels
15 
and other competent authorities, standards, creative methodologies, and
16 
criteria for a diversified mode of assessing skills, values, knowledge, and
17 
levels of competence which should include, but not limited to, instruments
18 
such as written examinations, practical work and/or laboratory
19 
demonstrations, and qualification portfolio assessments;
20 
d) Deputize and/or accredit agencies, organizations and higher education
21 
institutions which will conduct equivalency assessments, develop
22 
assessments, and/or award degrees within their area of competence or
23 
specialization;
24 
e) Safeguard the continuing integrity and quality measures of the Expanded
25 
Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program by linking and
26 
cooperating with appropriate development and regulatory agencies and
27 
institutions.
28 
f) Update the Social Development Committee of the National Economic and
29 
Development Authority (NEDA) Board 
on the implementation of the
30 
program for policy coordination and monitoring purposes;
31 
g) Set standard fees and other administrative charges for accreditation that
32 
will contribute to and be part of the Special Account of the Expanded


1 
Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program under the
2 
Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF);
3 
h) Convene a consultative or advisory body for the purpose of providing
4 
broad-based inter-agency consultation, to be composed of:
5 
1) Chairman of the CHED as the Chair;
6 
2) Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development
7 
Authority (TESDA) as the Vice-Chair;
8 
3) Undersecretary for Programs of the Department of Education,
9 
Culture, and Sports (DECS) as member;
10 
4) Undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology as
11 
member;
12 
5) Chairman of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) as
13 
member;
14 
6) Chairman of the National Youth Commission (NYC) as member;
15 
7) Representative of private higher educations to be designated by the
16 
Coordinating Council of Private Educational Assistance (COCOPEA)
17 
as member;
IS 
8) Representative of state universities and colleges to the designated
19 
by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges
20 
(PASUC) as member;
21 
9) Representative of the business sector to be designated by the
22 
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) as member;
23 
and
24 
i) Such other powers and functions as may be provided by law.
25 
Sec. 7. Technical Secretariat. - To ensure the effective implementation of the
26 
Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), the
27 
CHED shall organize a permanent Technical Secretariat composed of highly
28 
competent individuals with recognized expertise in alternative learning systems and
29 
educational assessment. The Technical Secretariat shall provide technical support to
30 
and shall be provided by and be lodged with the CHED. In addition, the CHED may
31 
contract the services of external experts and authorities on equivalency and
32 
education measurement.


1 
Sec. 8. Funding. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act
2 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. However, the Special
3 
Account in the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) may be used by the
4 
CHED as a supplemental source of funding whenever necessary and required for
5 
effective implementation of the Program.
6 
Sec. 9.Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
7 
approval of this Act, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall promulgate
8 
the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to carry out the provisions of this Act.
9 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
10 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the portions or provisions which are not affected
11 
shall continue to be in full force and effect.
12 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, circulars,
13 
rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of
14 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. Nothing in this Act shall result
15 
in the diminution of the benefits and/or assistance given to overseas Filipino and
16 
migrant workers as provided in other laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and
17 
issuances.
18 
Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
19 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general
20 
circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,


Congress of the Philippines 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session
}
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. No. 9015
By Representatives Romualdez (Y.M.), Acidre, Go (M.), Daupe, Primicias-Agabas, 
Eudela, Domingo, Roque, Mercado-Rbvilla, Zamora (M.C.), Chatto, Nava, 
Mariano-Hkrnandez, Galeos, Aquino, Verzosa, Ortega, Zubiri, Bordado, Cardema, 
SUANSING (M.A.), GUINTU, PADIERNOS, CAJAYON-UY, RODRIQUBZ (E.), Co-PILAR, SUAN, 
Salo, Tutor, Pumarbn, Olivarez, Cuaresma, Cari, Gardiola, Hernandez, Gullas, 
Fubntebella, Villafuerte (L.R.), Calderon, Dujali, Yu (J.V.), Rillo, Lumayag, 
COLLANTES, KHO (R.), CAOAGDAN, ANGARA, ONOCHUAN, BAUNDONO, PAGLAS, YU (D.G.), 
Amatong, Salceda, Buhain, Adiong, Hataman, Co (E.), Quimbo, Palma, at.rand, 
VioLAGo, Bautista-Lim, Abante, Espina, Bauttsta, Singson (R.V.). Campos, Del Mar, 
VARGAS-ALFONSO, LARA, GONZAOA, CABREDO, CUA, ALONTE, DY (F.), MATUGAS, BONGALON, 
Alvarez (J.), Arenas, Loyola, Haresco, Celeste, Alvarez (M.), Umali, Yap (Eric), 
Vergara, Garcia (D.), Garcia (M.A.), Bascug, Tan (J.), Sali, Cruz (R.), Cruz (A.), Pleyto, 
Mattbag, Fortes, Maceda, Fresnedi, Lazatin, Revilla (R.J.), Almario, Asistio, 
Tallado, Yap (C.), Dimaporo (SA), Mastura, Paduano, Dagooc, Gutierrez, Abalos, 
Lee, Bosita, Acharon, Alvarez (P.), BmoN, Cagas, Ferrer (J.M.), Gorriceta, Hagedorn, 
Malapitan, Tan (K.M.) and lacson-Noel
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE EXPANDED TERTIARY EDUCATION 
EQUIVALENCY AND ACCREDITATION PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR


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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the Expanded Tertiary Education 
Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act.
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy, - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect 
and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and take appropriate steps 
to make suc|i education accessible to all.
Further, Section 2, Article XIV of the Philippine Constitution provides that the State shall 
establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education 
relevant to the needs of the people and society and shall encourage nonformal, informal, and 
indigenous learning systems, as well as self-learning, independent, and out-of-school study 
programs, particularly those that respond to community needs.
In line with this, the ETEEAP aims to strengthen the system of academic equivalency and 
accreditation at the college level, including the validation of the knowledge and expertise 
derived by senior high school graduates, postsecondary technical-vocational graduates, and 
college undergraduate students frorh relevant work experiences and high-level, nonformal 
training in order to harness their full potentials.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
(a) 
Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program refers to the 
alternative education program in the Philippines that allows working pro&saionals who were 
either unable to finish their college education or were completely tmable to advance into 
college for different reasons to earn a bachelor’s degree without going through the traditional 
schooling methods;
(b) 
Higher education Institution refers to an institution of higher leanung which 
primarily offers degree-granting programs duly recognized by the Commission on Higher 
Education and leading to the conferment of a diploma; and
(c) 
Tertiary education refers to both higher education degree programs and 
postsecondary technical-vocational programs.
SEC. 4. Branded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program 
(ETEEAP). - The ETEEAP is an equivalency and accreditation pathway for obtaining a college 
degree for senior high school graduates, postsecpndary teclmical-yocational graduates, and 
dollege undergraduates who have become professionals with an aggregate of five (5) or more 
years of work experience. The knowledge, experiences, achievements, and skills obtained 
through their jobs shah be used to earn school credits that are then deducted from the total 
number of units or credits that they are required to earn before they graduate. They shall also 
fulfill the requirements of Section 10 of Republic Act No. 11510, otherwise known as the 
“Alternative Learning System Act”, with regard to certification from the Department of 
Education (DepEd).


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To qualify for the ETEEAP, the applicant must be a Filipino citizen, at least twenty-three (23) 
years of age, with at least five (5) years work experience, and must submit the following 
documentary requirements:
(a) Duly accomplished ETEEAP Application form;
(b) Certification of having passed the Accreditation and Equivalency Assessment 
conducted by the DepEd;
(c) Employment Certificates;
(d) Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority;
(e) Resume, Curriculum Vitae, or Personal Data Sheet;
(f) Service Record or Employment Certificate signed by the Employer;
(g) Job Description signed by the Employer; and
(h) Transcript of Records.
SEC. 5. kole of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEt)). - The CHED shall be 
tire lead agency in the implementation of the provisions of this Act. It shall accredit colleges 
and universities that seek to offer the ETEEAP as part of their academic program.
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the CHED, - For purposes of this Act, the CHED shall 
discharge the following additional powers and functions in relation to the ETEEAP:
(a) Deputize higher education institutions (HEI) which will conduct equivalency 
assessments, develop assessment instruments, provide academic supplementation, or award 
degrees within their area of competence or specialization;
(b) Safeguard the continuing integrity and quality measures of the ETEEAP by linking 
and cooperating with appropriate development and regulatory agencies and institutions;
(c) Update the Social Development Committee of the National Economic and 
Development Authority (NEDA) Board on the implementation of the program for policy 
coordination and monitoring purposes;
(d) Set standard fees and other, administrative charges for accreditation that will 
contribute to and be part of the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF);
(e) Establish criteria, procedure and documentary requirements to ensure its integrity, 
quality and successfiil implementation;
(f) Monitor and evaluate deputized HEIs based on developed standardized tool;
(g) Convene a consultative or advisory body for the purpose of providing broad-based 
inter-agency consultation, to be composed of:
(1) Chairperson of the CHED, as Chairperson;
(2) Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority, as Vice-Chairperson;
and as members:
(3) Undersecretary of the Department of Education;
(4) Undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology;
(5) Undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment;
(6) Secretary of the NEDA;
(7) Chairperson of the Professional Regulation Commission;
(8) Chairperson of the National Youth Commission;
(9) Representative of private higher education to be designated by the
Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines;
(10) Representative of the state universities and colleges (SUCs) to be
designated by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges;


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(11) Representative of the local tmiversities and colleges (LUCs) to be 
designated by the Association of Local Colleges and Universities; and
(12) Representative of the business sector to be designated by the Philippine 
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
(h) Perform such other powers and functions as may be provided by law.
SEC. 7. Technical Secretariat. - To ensure the effective implementation of the ETEEAP, 
the CHED shall organize a permanent Technical Secretariat composed of highly competent 
individuals with recognized expertise in alternative learning systems and educational 
assessment. The Technical Secretariat shall be composed of the existing personnel of the 
CHED.
In addition, the CHED may contract the services of external experts and authorities on 
equivalency and educational measurement, subject to existing budgeting and auditing rules and 
regulations.
SEC. 8. Functions of Deputized HEIs. 
functions;
•Deputized HEIs shall have the following
(a) 
Certify, after thorough evaluation, the pertinent work experiences and knowledge 
of expertise acquired by the individuals from high-level, nonformal and informal training 
towards the awarding of an appropriate academic degree;
(b) 
Determine the deficiencies of an applicant or awardee that would need remedial 
studies or academic supplementation through formal course work in order to satisfy pertinent 
requirements of a degree applied for;
(c) 
Develop, on a continuing basis and with the assistance of technical panels and other 
competent authorities, standards, creative methodologies, and criteria for a diversified mode of 
assessing skills, values, knowledge, and levels of competence which shall include, but not be 
limited to, instruments such as written examinations, practical woric or laboratory 
demonstrations, and qualification portfolio assessments.
SEC. 9. Priority in Deputization. - For the grant of deputization by the CHED, priority 
shall be given to the following:
(a) 
An HEI, which is recognized as a Center of Excellence or Center of Development in the 
program or discipline to be offered through the ETEEAP;
(b) 
An undergraduate program or discipline to be offered via the ETEEAP mode with a formal 
accredited status equivalent to Level II from any of the accrediting agencies recognized by 
the CHED: Provided, That a Certificate of Program Compliance shall be required in the 
case of SUCs and LUCs.
SEC. 10. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this 
Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of the CHED. Thereafter, such 
amount shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
The HEDF may be used as a supplemental source of ftinding whenever necessary and 
required for the effective implementation of the ETEEAP.


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SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
approval of this Act, the CHED shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations to 
carry out the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause.—All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other issuances, or 
parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are repealed or modified accordingly. 
Nothing in this Act shall result in the diminution of the benefits or assistance given to overseas 
Filipinos and migrant workers as provided in other laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and 
issuances.
SEC. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,