THE DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management lauded the Commission on Higher Education for its excellent performance in 2020 amid the pandemic.

In its evaluation, the department found that CHED reached all of its targets, achieving high accomplishment rates in some indicators.

“The accomplishments of CHED proved its flexibility and capacity to deliver beyond its commitments, which is much needed in this pandemic,” DBM Undersecretary Tina Rose Marie Canda said in a letter to the commission.

CHED’s physical performance obtained the highest rating in the percentage of higher education institutions subjected to reform (171 percent). This rating was attributed to the introduction of alternative modes of learning to cope with the Covid19 pandemic.

This was followed by the increase in the number of graduates able to demonstrate excellence in the 21st century global knowledge economy (160 percent). The increase in the percentage of graduates of 5-year courses in private higher education institutions contributed to the 160 percent accomplishment rate.

The agency also got high marks in the issuance of permits and the virtual monitoring of HEIs’ compliance with the policies, standards and guidelines.

On scholarships and student grants, the one-time grant of P30,000 cash aid to beneficiaries of the Tabang OFW Program and the new scholars under the Tulong Dunong Program helped the agency to reach 134 percent accomplishment rate.

CHED meanwhile got 115 percent accomplishment rate for its development grant to faculty.

Canda recognized the commission for “the continuous implementation of its mandates and for holding true to its commitment and responsibility in terms of delivering dynamic services to the public.”

CHED Chairman Popoy De Vera III attributed the commission’s achievements to the diligence and hard work of its officials and personnel.

“While we have been operating using a skeletal workforce of only 30 percent at the central office and most are working from home, this did not affect the agency’s performance. Even though some of our regional offices are affected by Covid19 surges, they were still able to disburse all the funds for Free Higher Education,” De Vera said.

“We thank the DBM for recognizing and commending our efforts especially during the pandemic. I am proud to say that there is zero incidence of corruption in CHED under my watch. We will continue to monitor and fast track the release of funds for our students in order to utilize the budget given to us and to assist our students during this pandemic,” De Vera said.