BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

TO: HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEIs), STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC
FROM: SHIRLEY C. AGRUPIS, PHD. Chairperson, Commission on Higher Education JUAN EDGARDO M. ANGARA Secretary, Department of Education CHARITO A. ZAMORA Chairperson, Professional Regulation Commission
SUBJECT: ESTABLISHING THE ONLINE NATIONAL REGISTRY (ONR) AND AFFIRMING CHED AND PRC AUTHORITY TO COMBAT DIPLOMA MILLS
DATE: 12 NOVEMBER 2025

To protect public welfare and ensure the quality, integrity, and legitimacy of higher education in the Philippines, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and the Department of Education (DepEd) are issuing this joint advisory.

This advisory arises from the recent reports on questionable graduate programs in teacher education, as well as the hearings conducted by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), which highlighted the need to strengthen quality assurance of teacher education programs, as well as to clarify which agency has authority over said programs. This is critical because of various reports received on the misrepresentation of permits, Certificates of Compliance (COPCs), and Government Recognitions (GRs) for undergraduate and graduate programs. Our shared commitment is to protect students, parents, teachers, and employers from fraudulent academic credentials and illegitimate programs.

The aim of this Joint Advisory is to properly guide and caution students, parents, teachers, and employers from fraudulent academic institutions. This is especially critical for those applying for the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (or BLEPT) under the PRC consistent with RA 7836 as amended, and for those seeking promotion under the DepEd, consistent with
DepEd Order No. 24, series 2025. Based on these concerns, the public must be guided by the facts:

1. All SUC programs regardless of where they operate, considering that they have been established via legislation, are under the exclusive jurisdiction of CHED, consistent with Republic Act 8292. Therefore said institutions and programs are subject to CHED’s authority for issuance of COPCs and related quality assurance activities.
2. All private HEIs, regardless of the delivery modality, including extension classes, open and distance learning, or branch campuses, are also under the exclusive jurisdiction of CHED, consistent with
   Republic Act 7722. Thus, these private HEIs must secure the necessary GR from CHED for all programs offered.
3. To ensure programmatic continuity and to protect the academic records and investments of students enrolled prior to the transition, CHED shall honor all valid permits and recognition it issued in good faith, unless sooner revoked for cause . This provision is subject to applicable transitory clauses and the understanding that these programs and institutions will be subject to future joint quality assurance policies and standards to be implemented by CHED.
4. Finally, in the case of Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), established and funded by local government units by virtue of Republic Act 7160, these institutions shall also secure program authorization from CHED and shall be subjected to periodic evaluation and monitoring to ensure continued compliance with national higher education standards and quality assurance requirements

In the interest of upgrading the quality of teacher education in the country, both CHED, DepEd, and the PRC shall undertake and complete quality assurance of all undergraduate and graduate programs in teacher education from December 2025 to March 2028. These agencies shall monitor and review
compliance to minimum standards relative to the program recognitions previously issued, in coordination with PRC, and using calibrated standards and tools formulated with the support of the Teacher Education Council (TEC). During this period, findings and decisions of both the CHED shall be forwarded
to the PRC and to DepEd for their consequent action in relation to BLEPT participation or teacher promotion under DepEd.

For the guidance of students, parents, teachers, and the general public, the agencies likewise undertake to make public, and regularly update, a joint database of teacher education programs and institutions in the country, which shall be prominently displayed in the websites of all agencies herein. The database shall include the following information:

● Status of institutional recognition (including period of validity)
● Teacher education programs recognized (undergraduate and graduate, including period of validity)
● Center of Excellence (if relevant)
● Passing rate in the BLPET (detailing total number of takers, first-time and repeaters, in the most recent BLEPT)

Please note that any and all degrees attained beyond the premises indicated herein are deemed spurious, invalid, and shall not be recognized for any legal, academic, or professional purpose. Thus, all concerned stakeholders are enjoined to exercise utmost diligence by verifying the legitimacy and
status of HEIs and their program offerings directly with CHED through their official channels.
All HEIs, students, parents, and the general public are enjoined to be strictly guided by this advisory.
Please be guided accordingly.

*All Photos from DepEd