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Cristina Chi - Philstar.com
March 5, 2025 | 4:30pm
Jobseekers fill out forms and queue at interviews as they apply for work at the local and overseas job fair organized by the local government at a mall in Valenzuela City on Sept. 25, 2024.
The STAR / Miguel de Guzman
MANILA, Philippines — A nearly three-decade program that allows Filipinos with substantial work experience to earn college degrees without attending traditional classes is now officially a law after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12124 on Wednesday, March 5.
The Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), which was launched in 1996 through Executive Order 330, converts professional experience and non-formal learning into academic credits that can lead to a college diploma.
The newly signed ETEEAP Act strengthens the program by establishing clearer assessment frameworks and expanding its implementation across higher education institutions to reach more prospective applicants.
At least 101 colleges and universities have been deputized to offer the program, according to CHED's data in 2022.
"Our vision is to empower more Filipinos by providing alternative pathways to education," said Sen. Joel Villanueva, principal sponsor and author of the law.
"We understand how important a college diploma is for our kababayans, and we want to ensure that they can take advantage of their work experiences, achievements and skills to earn a Bachelor's Degree without going through traditional schooling methods," he added.
Under the new law, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will continue to serve as the lead agency in implementing ETEEAP. The law expands CHED's functions to include deputizing higher education institutions to offer academic degrees through the program, developing assessment standards, and monitoring implementation.
Filipino citizens, both local and overseas, aged 23 and above with at least five years of relevant work experience can apply for the program, provided they have completed secondary education.
Rep. Mark Go, chairperson of the House higher education panel and EDCOM 2 co-chairperson, said the law "addresses long-standing educational disparities" by benefiting individuals who have been unable to complete college education due to financial and personal barriers.
The program is also especially beneficial for mid-career professionals, skilled workers and individuals from underserved communities, EDCOM 2 said in a statement.
"By validating non-traditional learning and experience, the law not only enhances workforce competitiveness but also promotes lifelong learning and inclusive growth," EDCOM 2 added.
Around 3,000 graduates earn college degrees every year through ETEEAP, Villanueva said in an earlier statement.
