Boac, Marinduque, Philippines — Marinduque State University (MarSU) hosted an orientation on the Lifelong Learning Program through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) under Republic Act No. 12124 and Transnational Higher Education (TNHE) under Republic Act No. 11448 on July 15, 2026, at the Administration Lounge, MarSU Boac Campus.
The activity gathered university officials, faculty members, and key personnel to deepen their understanding of the implementation of ETEEAP and the opportunities offered by transnational higher education initiatives. The program also served as a venue to strengthen the University’s preparedness in adopting lifelong learning initiatives that expand access to quality higher education.
Officials from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) MIMAROPA led the discussions, beginning with Ms. Jenalyn J. Baliong, Project Technical Staff, who provided an overview of lifelong learning and the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP). Mr. John Paul D. Dela Cruz, Education Supervisor II, discussed the eligibility requirements, deputization procedures, and requisites for ETEEAP implementation, while Ms. Cristina E. Rotario, Supervising Education Program Specialist (SEPS) of the CHED Office of Programs and Standards Development (OPSD), presented the areas for evaluation, transitory provisions, and the ETEEAP assessment process. An open forum followed, allowing participants to seek clarifications and engage in meaningful discussions on the program’s implementation.
Likewise, the TNHE team led by Atty. Ednalyn Grace Viste (PTS III) and Ms. Ma. Celina Marino (EPS I) from the TNHE Division, CHED-IAS, tackled the policies and processes in establishing the TNHE program. At the same time, Dr. Giannina Elaine Labicane (VPSAS and IRO Director, RSU) discussed points on transforming regional higher education through strategic international-at-home, followed by Mr. Kenmark Hernandez (TNHE Regional Coordinator MIMAROPA), who discussed the guidelines for securing authority to travel abroad for SUCs.
The orientation reaffirmed MarSU’s commitment to supporting national initiatives that promote inclusive, flexible, and accessible higher education while strengthening the University’s readiness for the implementation of ETEEAP and Transnational Higher Education programs.
