President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed into law Republic Act No. 12124, a measure institutionalizing the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).
The new law aims to broaden access to higher education by recognizing nontraditional learning experiences and awarding academic degrees to qualified individuals who have gained expertise outside conventional academic settings.
Under the measure, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is mandated to develop and implement a comprehensive framework that evaluates prior learning, work experience, and skills training.
The law also provides for flexible learning modalities, ensuring that adult learners, working professionals, and those unable to attend regular classes have multiple pathways to earn a recognized credential.
Under Republic Act No. 12124, higher education institutions that meet specific criteria will be authorized to offer equivalency and accreditation services.
CHED is also tasked with monitoring the implementation of the law, ensuring that quality standards are upheld across all participating institutions.
The new legislation is expected to benefit Filipinos both at home and abroad, granting them a chance to convert their work experience and prior learning into academic credits.
Once implemented, the expanded program is anticipated to serve thousands of learners seeking higher education credentials through nontraditional means.
The law will take effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.