SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday (06 Mar 2025) lauded the recent signing of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act, which provides an alternative pathway for Filipinos who were unable to complete their college degrees.

The law aims to assist college undergraduates, working professionals, and graduates of high school, senior high school, and post-secondary technical-vocational courses in earning a bachelor’s degree.

Since its establishment in 1996 under Executive Order No. 330, the ETEEAP has been implemented by 110 deputized public and private higher education institutions, producing an average of 3,000 graduates annually as of December 2023.

With the program now institutionalized, Gatchalian expects it to reach more individuals, enabling them to complete their education and advance their careers. He emphasized that formal recognition of the program will expand its reach and impact by increasing the number of deputized HEIs and graduates.

However, Gatchalian stressed the need to maintain the program’s quality and integrity. He urged the Commission on Higher Education, which oversees ETEEAP’s implementation, to enforce strict measures to uphold its standards.

He also underscored the program’s critical role in fostering lifelong learning and providing career advancement opportunities for individuals who previously missed the chance to pursue formal education.