THE HOUSE of Representatives approved on second reading a measure enhancing the supervisory and regulatory role of the Commission on Higher Education in all public and private higher education institutions.

House Bill 9982 approved by the lawmakers mandates CHED to exercise reasonable supervision and regulation of HEIs.

Under the bill, CHED shall be vested with ample authority to set the mandatory minimum institutional and course requirements for all HEIs.

If enacted into law, the external governance of HEIs and programs in both public and private sectors, except for the University of the Philippines System and the Mindanao State University System, shall be under the oversight function of CHED.

Meanwhile, the internal governance of HEIs shall be left to their respective governing boards and administrative officers.

All public and private HEIs must obtain prior authorization from the government before offering undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degree programs.

CHED shall ensure that no unnecessary administrative barriers hinder the internationalization of programs in Philippine higher education through the admission of qualified foreign students, subject to the constitutional limitation of not more than 30 percent of the total student population in an institution.

Also included in the bill is a provision on the grant of incentives for high standards of quality for all HEIs that consistently demonstrate and adhere to standards of excellence.