Manila: The House Committee on Higher and Technical Education has approved two measures aimed at updating the governance framework of state universities and colleges (SUCs), nearly three decades after the enactment of Republic Act (RA) 8292, known as the Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997.
According to Philippines News Agency, the approved measures include House Bill (HB) 4799, principally authored by Tingog Party-list Representatives Jude Acidre and Andrew Julian Romualdez, and HB 5042, principally authored by Representative Ziaur-Rahman 'Zia' Alonto Adiong. RA 8292 initially granted SUCs fiscal and administrative autonomy in 1997, but subsequent reviews, such as those by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), have highlighted issues like uneven governance standards and gaps in board competency.
The newly approved bills aim to address these concerns by redefining the strategic role of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), enhancing the composition and authority of SUC governing boards, and institutionalizing differentiated autonomy based on institutional performance and capacity. HB 4799 suggests revisions to board composition, mandates governance certification, and training for board members, and proposes the establishment of a Philippine Higher Education Academy to bolster leadership development. Similarly, HB 5042 seeks to update governance structures and reinforce accountability mechanisms to ensure alignment with national and regional development goals.
Jude Acidre, who chairs the committee and serves as co-chair of EDCOM II, emphasized the necessity to modernize the autonomy framework established by RA 8292. He stated, "For nearly thirty years, RA 8292 has anchored SUC autonomy. But autonomy must evolve with accountability." He further added that the reforms aim to create governing boards that are competent and strategic while remaining aligned with national priorities.
Acidre also highlighted that governance reform is a critical component of the committee's Ten-Point Higher Education Agenda, which seeks to align higher education with long-term economic strategies, research productivity, workforce readiness, and regional development. The committee will now work on consolidating the two measures into a unified substitute bill for House plenary deliberations.
