HISTORY
HIGHLIGHTS 1932-2017
The 1930's
1932
In a luncheon tendered by Dr. Mariano V. de los Santos, then President of the University of Manila, at his home in Balintawak, it was decided by the attendees composed of then college and university presidents, at the suggestion of Justice Jose Abad Santos and Conrado Benitez, that an association of private universities be formed to set higher standards for private educational institutions and to promote the interests of private education in the country. From there the Association of Filipino Private Universities and Colleges (AFPUC) was born. Among the leaders in attendance were Senator Camilo Osias of National University, Dr. Nicanor Reyes, Sr. of Far Eastern University, Jorge Bocobo of the University of the Philippines, Francisca Tirona- Benitez of Philippine Women’s University, Tomas Mapua of Mapua Institute of Technology, and Don Vicente Fabella of Jose Rizal College then.
1933
AFPUC was formally organized with Camilo Osias elected as president.
1935
Mrs. Francisca Benitez headed an AFPUC delegation that petitioned to President Manuel L. Quezon to dispense with taxes from schools that did not pay dividends. The same represenation was made to then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Jose Yulo, with the House Ways and Means Committee. The campaign resulted in the passage and enactment of the law to this effect and Speaker Yulo himself informed Mrs. Benitez of its passage.
The 1940's
1940
Former AFPUC President Nicanor Reyes, Sr. was appointed member of the National Council of Education.
1941
Former AFPUC President Camilo Osias was appointed Acting Director of the Office of Private Education.
1946
AFPUC opposed the 1% tax on gross income of private schools.
1947
AFPUC changed its name to “Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities”, as motioned by Chancellor Laurel, and voted unanimously in a meeting at the National Teachers College.
PACU held its First National Educational Conference.
1949
The Second National Educational Conference was held at the Arellano Hall, Far Eastern University. PACU continued to lodge their opposition to the One Percent Assessment Act and formed a committee composed of President Manuel V. Gallego, Vicente G. Sinco, Benjamin Salvosa, Leoncio B. Monzon, and Perfecto Laguio to contest RA 74.
The 1950's
1950
PACU lobbied for the ammendment of RA 74 and abolition of the one percent assessment tax.
1951
Justice Domingo Imperial was awarded the PACU Public Service Award.
PACU member and school owner Francisco Dalupan, founder of the University of the East, together with 25 other educators, pioneered the Philippine Accrediting Association of Universities and Colleges (PAAUC), designed to evaluate academic programs and was patterned after accrediting organizations in the U.S. Two years later PACU published the very first non-governmental accreditation manual in the country titled, “Handbook of Rules and Standards for the Approval and Accreditation of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities.”
1952
PACU disputed a memorandum of the Bureau of Private Schools (BPS) that limited the admission to teacher-training and other professional courses to high school graduates who belonged to the upper half of their class. Secretary of Justice Oscar Castelo then ruled the memorandum to be illegal.
1954
Dr. Mariano de los Santos forged an agreement with then Committee on Free Asia (now known as Asia Foundation) to implement the Student Activity Program (SAP) with student interests being foremost in PACU’s agenda. A special committee on SAP was composed of Chancellor Manuel Gallego as chair, Dean Edgardo L. Paras and Dr. Helena Benitez as members, and a secretariat headed by Prof. Amado C. Dizon, PACU Executive Officer.
1956
PACU was requested by the Secretary of Education to conduct a survey and evaluate the Philippine educational system. PACU instead suggested to create a government commission to which it would extend assistance in its endeavors. To protect the names of reputable private schools, PACU demanded for a published list of diploma mills. For the benefit of students and schools, PACU also called for the publication of bar and board examinations.
1957
PACU actively participated in the 1957 Educational Conference with President Mariano V. de los Santos as conference chairman. In that conference Rep. Carmen D. Consing, then chair of the House Committee on Education, supported PACU’s stand and promised to work for the repeal of RA 74.
In a meeting on September 14, PWU Vice-President Helena Benitez suggested to create the PACU Cooperative Graduate School. With the approval of BPS of the PACU M.A.T. program which was a consortium among PACU graduate schools, the aim to help students of member schools was realized.
PACU also protested the encroachment by the different examining boards in the making of curricula.
1958
PACU fought to repeal RA 1881 (Spanish Law) to reduce the required 24 units of Spanish courses and advocated that 12 units be compulsory while 12 other units be optional.
The 1960's
1961
In collaboration with two other groups, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities (ACSCU), PACU founded the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) as the umbrella organization of all private educational organizations in the Philippines. Later, two other groups joined forces with COCOPEA, namely, the Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAPSCU) and the Association of Philippine Private Technology-based Institutions (APPTI). PACU President Pablo L. Meer sat as the first chair of COCOPEA.
PACU objected to the Aldana circular that exempted the graduates of government teacher-training institutions from annual teacher-selection examinations, which PACU deemed discriminatory to graduates of private teacher-training schools.
1962
President Fernando Bautista advocated that regional offices of the BPS be authorized to issue special orders to expedite the release of transportation and other expenses to effect savings on the part of private schools.
PACU schools adopted a self-imposed limitation of 12% on return on investments. PACU also cooperated with Dean Daniel M. Salcedo on a self-improvement project designed to improve instruction and end the disenfranchisement of high school graduates who wished to pursue higher education.
1965
A meeting of student council presidents sponsored by the PACU Special Committee on Student Affairs was held to study and promote worthwhile student affairs.
A model set of rules and criteria was issued to PACU member schools for such administrative details as faculty classification,salary scales and fringe benefits.
Dr. Virgilio de los Santos proposed that the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence be awarded to graduates of a four-year-course in law.
1966
PACU participated in the first revision of the Manual of Regulations of the Bureau of Private Schools orginally drafted back in the 1940s.
1967
In the midst of developing its existing resources, PACU executive officer Dr. Amado C. Dizon, sent out questionnaires to get constructive feedback on its accreditation program. On behalf of its members, PACU entered into an agreement with the Asia Foundation for book donations. President Virgilio de los Santos ordered the printing of a PACU brochure, “Serving the Nation Through Education.”
1968
PACU co-signed a trust agreement with the Department of Education and the Development Bank of the Philippines for the administration of the War Damage Fund appropriated for private education.
In a joint effort with CEAP and ACSCU, the creation of the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE) was made possible which extends financial assistance to private educational associations and their members to promote the welfare of private education. With the help of both Philippine and United States governments and the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), FAPE was formally launched on November 5. FAPE has since become a symbol of the government’s regard for private education as an integral part of Philippine life.
1969
There was unprecedented increase in PACU membership through the efforts of President Virgilio de los Santos even in the face of increasing violent student demonstrations in Manila for which PACU sought the assistance of Mayor Antonio Villegas in ensuring the safety of the academic community.
The 1970's
1970
PACU’s active role in the passage of legislation and introduction of amendments to existing laws was helped by tapping some of the more brilliant minds in the academe such as Dr. Amado Dizon.When Congress enacted The Tuition Fee Law, RA 6139, which specified that student fees may be increased by not more than 15% per annum, member-schools of PACU conducted an intensive lobbying campaign against its passage.
1973
PACU succeeded in implementing accreditation for its members milestone and noteworthy achievement given the turbulent times and the darkest moments of Philippine education following the imposition of Martial law in 1972.
1974
President Ferdinand Marcos amended RA 6139 with PD 451 whereby 60 percent of any increase in tuition fees must be used to increase the salary of school employees, and 40 percent for institutional development.
1977
The Department of Education upheld PACU on the individual institution’s right to give its own entrance exams in addition to the National Collegiate Entrance Examination. Other notable PACU activities included its participation in the revision of the elementary curriculum and the study it conducted on the retirement systems for school personnel.
1979
PACU succeeded in amending Sec. 6 of Rule II of MECS Order No. 19 (which would have disqualified members of the school’s governing board from being appointed or designated to administrative positions).
The 1980's
1980
PACU participated in the New Delhi UNESCO-Paris Draft Convention on Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees.
1981
PACU took part in the MECS-sponsored Conference on Educational Development and the lifting of Martial Law. It also held a Conference on Financial Strategies in Times of Scarcity.
1987
The toppling of the Marcos Regime by People Power Revolution in 1986 paved the way for social and political reforms such as the reconsideration by the Supreme Court on the consolidated cases on tuition fee, declaring, among others, that Sec. 3 of PD 451 had been repealed by Sec. 42 of BP 232 in the 1987 Constitution.
1989
RA 6728 was enacted by Congress which provided assistance to students and teachers in private schools and required consultation on any tuition fee increase. Violent student protests persisted and PACU suspended classes for four days due to the government’s inability to protect them.
The 1990's
1990
Congress enacted Joint Resolution No. 2, which mandated the review and assessment of the entire educational system, and from this the Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) was created. With PACU’s extensive experience and expertise in governance and management, private financing of education, and human resources development, the association played a significant role in EDCOM’s final recommendations for the overhaul in all levels of education in the public and private sectors.
1991
When Congress passed RA 7079 providing for the development of campus journalism, PACU issued a model set of guidelines for the implementation of this law in private schools.
1992
In consultation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) , PACU conducted a study on retirement systems for private school employees. PACU also made representations with Congress for the enactment of RA 7641 which provided for retirement to qualified private sector personnel in the absence of any retirement plan in the establishment.
The second revision of the Manual of Regulations for Private Schools under then Education Secretary Armand V. Fabella was also a high point in PACU’s history. To date the revised manual has been regarded as “The” guidebook of all private shcool operations.
1994
Congress passed RA 7731 which PACU had been lobbying for, abolishing the NCEE. PACU had early on argued that the NCEE disenfranchised students of their basic right to education.
1995
With the enactment by Congress of RA 7877 declaring sexual harassment unlawful, PACU issued to member schools a model set of rules and regulations to implement the law on campuses.
1996
PACU initiated work for the joint promulgation by DOLE, DECS, CHED and TESDA of labor standards unique to private schools.
1997
Together with other members of COCOPEA, PACU suspended classes for one day in protest over the approval of the second reading of the proposed Magna Carta of Students in the House of Representatives.
PACU also verbalized its strong stance on other policy concerns of private schools. To this effect, PACU drafted a bill titled, “An Act to Enhance Excellence in Private Educational Institutions, to Provide for their Financing and Taxation, and for other Purposes.
PACU enshrined a no-consultation-on-freshmen-tuition provision in the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) guidelines. It was carried over to the CHED order the following year.
When CHED issued new policies and standards on the grant of university status and the General Education Curriculum, PACU in consultation with other members of COCOPEA, convinced CHED to dispense with the retroactive provision on the former. Likewise, they also pushed for an alternative to the General Education Curriculum.
1998
During the 65th anniversary celebration of PACU on June 27 at the Edsa Shangri-la Hotel, its “founding fathers” were honored with a commemorative plaque awarded to the family representatives of the late Jose Abad Santos, Conrado Benitez, Vicente Fabella, Tomas Mapua, Camilo Osias, Nicanor Reyes, Sr., and Mariano de los Santos.
The 2000's
2000
With the start of the new millenium, PACU, under outgoing PACU President Nestor M. Feliciano and incoming PACU President Maria L. Ayuyao, identified its goals for the future. It acknowledged the growing impact of technology on education, recognized the need to refocus on the human resource aspect of private education, and reassessed its voluntary accreditation programs.
PACU also continued to address issues such as the affordability of private education; the amount of government assistance to teachers and students; new faculty career models; and the evolving concept of academic freedom.
2001
PACU successfully held a seminar series called “E3” or “Emerging Education Executives” management seminar.
2002
This year highlights the transition of three PACU presidents, outgoing President Maria Ayuyao, incoming PACU President Edilberto de Jesus (promoted as Deped Secretary within a month) and the next PACU President Virgilio C. Bautista.
2003
The PACU Board, under President Virgilio C. Bautista, launched a nationwide “Voter Education Program” to educate and prepare
student voters on the responsibility and value of voting for the 2004 elections.
2004
PACU reactivated its website with links to sites of its member schools. Technological Institute of the Philippines’ president, Teresita U. Quirino, was inducted the next PACU President.
2005
In October 2004, when House Bill No. 2536 was introduced, PACU strongly opposed its passage. The bill sought to amend Article 281
of the Labor Code whereby the probationary period of employment of academic personnel in private schools was shortened. PACU’s
stance was the bill violated the freedom of schools to determine who may teach, what may be taught, and who may be admitted to study.
2006
PACU filed a petition in court to declare CHED Memorandum Order No. 14 null and void. CMO No. 14 was created to regulate increases of various school fees for school year 2006- 2007.
PACU raised explicit concerns on certain house bills such as one that placed a cap on tuition and other fee increases as well as proposed amendments to Sec. 42 of Batasan Pambansa Blg. 232. (Education Actof 1982)
On the House bills proposing amendments to RA 7722 creating the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). PACU and COCOPEA made known their position that the bills should provide measures to eliminate discrimination between public and private higher education institutions, and minimize political interference in the exercise of CHED powers.
PACU with COCOPEA engaged in a dialogue with the Commissioners of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on the manner
with which the PRC published results of licensure examinations. PRC accepted COCOPEA’s recommendation, resulting in the promulgation of Resolution No. 2006-375, series of 2006.
PACU presidency transitioned from Teresita Quirino to Vicente Fabella.
2007
PACU and COCOPEA reached an agreement with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the creation of a body that would review CHED’s policymaking structure to align it with its mandate of developmental supervision of all higher educational institutions in the country.
In response to PACU’s concerns on accreditation, the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities – Commission on Accreditation drew up a revised accreditation plan that includes an outcomes-based factor.
A highlight of PACU’s 75th Anniversary celebration was its new Vision and Mission Statements during the term of PACU President Gonzalo T. Duque.
2008
PACU signed agreements with various industry and government institutions to enhance and expand the scope of its corporate and social responsibility.
During the second appointment of PACU President Vicente K. Fabella, PACU became an associate member of the Association of Universities in Asia and the Pacific (AUAP).
2009
PACU joined COCOPEA member associations in a two-day strategic planning workshop for academic years 2009-2011 at the Ateneo de Manila University.
With PACU as lead association, COCOPEA held a symposium on the “Global Economic Meltdown: Its Impact on Private Education in the Philippines” at St. Paul University Manila.
PACU launched its Academic
Management Seminar Series at Far
Eastern University.
The 2010's
2010
PACU set in motion an interactive website.
PACU made a representation with the Department of Education (DepEd) to review the 2010 "Revised Manual of Regulations for Private Schools in Basic Education," noting that a number of amendments in the new Manual ran counter to existing laws and jurisprudence.
PACU conducted regional summits on the proposed K-12 basic education program.
PACU, together with the other members of COCOPEA, initiated dialogue-to-action sessions with DepEd, CHED, TESDA, and PRC.
2011
In partnership with Philippine Business for Education, PACU and the other COCOPEA members organized a conference on “The
Role of Private Higher Education in the Philippines.”
Amidst congressional initiatives on prohibition against the “No Permit, No Exam” policy and consultation on miscellaneous fees, PACU and COCOPEA officers submitted unified position papers on the two issues to the education committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and CHED.
2012
PACU President Peter Laurel marked the 80th Anniversary of PACU with a national conference on “The Challenges of Internationalization.” PACU participated in the revisions of the Manual of Regulations for Private Schools that amended the Revised Manual of Regulations for Private Schools in Basic Education and in drafting the Revised Manual of Regulations for Private Higher Education Institutions.
Dr. Patricia Bustos-Lagunda of Baliuag University was inducted as
the new president of PACU.
This year also marks the participation of PACU in several dialogues with various stakeholders regarding K-12 issues and policies.
2013
PACU witnessed the signing of RA 10533, the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, or the K-12 Law in Malacañan Palace.
PACU assumed the chairmanship of COCOPEA under PACU President, Dr. Patricia Bustos-Lagunda.
PACU was a member of various technical working groups that discussed the K-12 Curriculum, the new General Education curriculum, revised Program Standards and Guidelines (PSGs), Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) based on the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework, CHED Multi Sectoral Committee on Tuition and Other School Fees, and in other numerous consultation meetings of these agencies.
COCOPEA, led by PACU, participated in drafting the guidelines for the implementation of the labor component of the K-12 Implementing Rules and Regulations under DOLE’s Education Industry Tripartite Council to balance the interests of management and labor.
PACU was a member of the Public Private Partnership Steering Committee to mitigate losses and stimulate provisions of senior high schools for the private higher education institutions (HEIs) during the transition period of the K-12 Program.
2014
Under the chairmanship of PACU, the Fifth National COCOPEA Congress was held with the theme “Leading Philippine Education for
Global Excellence.”
PACU celebrated its 82nd Anniversary with a national conference on “Diverse Topics for Educators.”
A memorandum of agreement for the development of a research project on the “Role and Contribution of Philippine Private Higher Education” was signed by PACU and the De La Salle University–Lasallian Institute for Development and Educational Research. Funded by PEAC-FAPE, the research was turned over to PACU during its 82nd Anniversary.
Dr. Karen Feliciano-De Leon, president of Misamis University, was inducted as the new president of PACU and continued the chairmanship of COCOPEA.
2015
PACU commissioned a marketing research survey on voucher top ups to present to the Department of Education an estimate on the number of public school students who will transfer to the private sector.
PACU, together with other COCOPEA representatives, met with Commissioner Siegfried B. Mison of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to discuss the issue of visas to foreign students. Accordingly, on May 19, 2015, Commissioner Mison issued Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM-2015-007, which seeks to streamline the issuance of a student visa to a foreigner who wish to study in the Philippines.
PACU, COCOPEA, FAPE, and the Asian Development Bank, contributed their views to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Education and helped shape the Comprehensive and Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UNIFAST), managed by CHED.
PACU participated in fora of the Philippine Business for Education and the National Competitiveness Council, and took part in technical working groups on curricula and program standards and guidelines, PQF, following the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework, CHED Multi-Sectoral Committee on Tuition and Other School Fees, and other consultation meetings of governmental agencies.
2016
This year marks the first year of implementation of Grades 11 and 12. Dhanna Bautista-Rodas of the University of Baguio assumes the role of PACU president.
PACU with other COCOPEA member associations held dialogues with the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) to address issues on providing quality education to the marginalized sector, sustainability of private and public higher education, and the leveling of the playing field through differentiated markets, quality
assurance, and governance.
2017
Dr. Vicente Fabella, chair of the policy committee, together with other PACU board members lobbied with legislators and lawmakers regarding the concerns of private HEIs, especially on the RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. The bill provides tuition subsidy and financial assistance to students enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), private HEIs, and Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs).
In the same bill, PACU together with COCOPEA requested the inclusion of COCOPEA chair as a voting member of the UniFAST Board.
2018
The implementing rules and regulations of RA 10931 or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UQUATE) was signed. UNIFAST released Memorandum Circular No. 2018-004 or the guidelines for the first year of implementation of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) for Filipino students, one of the five components under RA 10931. Students and learners from private schools, SUCs, and LUCs may apply to get subsidies to help pay for tuition and other fees.
PACU President Dhanna Kerina Bautista-Rodas and trustees participated in technical working meetings and discussions to ensure
that the complementarity of public and private education institutions is upheld. The PACU policy committee led by Chair Vincent Fabella also worked on the guidelines for student loans. Only the short-term student loan has been started. PACU has been coordinating with CHED UNIFAST so that private education institutions are accessible to all students enrolled in private schools once these programs are launched.
Another challenge was the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN2/TRABAHO Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-Quality Opportunities” (TRABAHO) Bill. Under this bill, further taxation on the private educational system is being considered. The Policy Committee team studied the scenarios that will pose a threat to the sustainability of private schools and suggested solutions to prevent complications brought by this bill.
2019
PACU perseveres in collaborating with government executive leaders and legislators in the education sector to clarify issues that will pose a challenge on the sustainability of schools and our stakeholders. PACU countered the unintended effect of the TRAIN and CITIRA Law with the removal of the corporate income tax rate of ten percent for proprietary educational institutions. The need to increase government funding for the Teacher Salary Subsidy (TSS) in case salary increase in public schools will be reviewed and lobbied, by increasing GASTPE and TES fund allocation.
PACU signed a MOA with CHED UNIFAST in support of UQATE and to subscribe to the policies on TES.
PACU continues its appeal with CHED on important policies such a the removal of the regional deflator rate in view of free tuition in higher education; the extension of the autonomous and deregulated status of schools in view of the review of CMO 46 s. 2012. PACU President Caroline Marian S. Enriquez led the analytical comparison of the requirements of professional programs as mandated by the regulated profession and CHED’s PSGs. Another research work was conducted on the regional mapping of all course programs offered by HEIs, private HEIs, and public SUCs/LUCs and identifying programs to address issues on complementarity.
PACU strongly opposed the prohibition of the withholding of credentials due to nonpayment of arrears and the no-permit, no-exam policy being considered by DepEd. PACU requested policies across education agencies must be upheld to ensure reasonable regulation and an equal level playing field.
The 2020's
2020
Amidst the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, the education sector has changed drastically—from one of uncertainty to its agility and flexibility, aided by digital innovations, in responding to the unprecedented challenges brought by the pandemic. PACU’s resiliency was tested as it continues to advocate for private education.
The PACU Board, led by President Caroline Marian S. Enriquez, met every week via Zoom and discussed their fears, concerns, and school operational scenarios, while finding solutions and institutional practices together to be able to survive and thrive. Opened to PACU members, these meetings were called “PACUmustahan,” and provided a much needed support and comfort to everyone. PACU submitted proposals to various agencies, including the Inter-agency Task Force for COVID 19 (IATF) on the provision of funds to support private education, especially employees that will be under “no work, no pay;” the release of the TES subsidy; allow schools to offer various modalities of flexible learning; support for teacher training in flexible learning delivery modes; work with telcos to provide low rates and student connectivity subsidy; and whitelisting of learning management systems, related apps and online subscriptions and bulk buying of digital learning to reduce cost; and extension of accreditation status PACU shifted to virtual learning webinars during the pandemic.
The first hybrid induction of the board of trustees and installation of the new officers was organized. It was attended by key public officials from the Senate, Congress, and CHED, as well as the presidents of the member associations under the COCOPEA and PEAC.
2021
Dr. Anthony Jose M. Tamayo took the helm of PACU as president and COCOPEA as chairman. The first two PACU Leadership and Management Perspectives in Higher Education (LAMP) Summits organized by the Committee on Institutional Quality Improvement (CIQI) were held.
The PACU Board lobbied with CHED the extension of the autonomous and deregulated status of schools as well as the application for the Center of Development (COD) and the Center of Excellence (COE). In April 2021, the Commission released CMO no. 07 s. 2021, of the Extension of the Validity Period of Autonomous and Deregulated Status Granted to Private Higher Education Institutions from June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2023.
Based on the order, 46 PACU member schools had been granted or had their autonomous and deregulated status extended until May 21, 2023.
Dr. Anthony Tamayo continued the PACUmustahan and added supplier presentations and invited government officials for the question and answer segment.
The CHED DOH Joint Memorandum Circular allowed the opening of some essential programs for limited face-to face classes for practicum and RLE. PACU continues its dialogue with CHED on issues and concerns of private HEIs.
PACU recommended the allocation of the Bayanihan 2 for Higher Education Tulong Program (B2HELP), and DOLE- UNIFAST’s Tabang OFW program to prioritize private HEI students.
The application for tuition fee increase was extended both in CHED and DepEd to allow schools more time to comply with the consultation and the submission of requirements. PACU underscored the need for an increased complementarity between public and private schools.
PACU also supported the further expansion of the E-GASTPE Law to the elementary level, and the extension of the TSS to SHS Teachers.
2022
PACU President and COCOPEA Chair Anthony Jose M. Tamayo, together with the policy committee members and regional affiliates, lobbied for the enactment of RA 11635 or “An Act Amending Section 27 (B) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, As Amended and For other Purposes under the CREATE Act.” This settled the income tax of proprietary educational institutions at ten percent, with a concessionary rate of one percent under the CREATE Act.
PACU actively participated in recommendations to the IATF on issues involving schools, colleges, and universities. PACU collaborated with CHED on the safe reopening of schools.
PACU coordinated with T3 Task Force and private HEIs nationwide to volunteer as vaccination sites and expand the LGU vaccination roll-out for faculty, employees, students and members of the local community. Limited face-to-face pilot classes for basic education was implemented; PACU was invited to conduct monitoring visits to schools who were part of the program.
PACU led the COCOPEA’s Presidential Interviews and Voter’s Education Campaign.
PACU member schools was able to raise Php 492,000.00 for the 13 member schools in Visayas and Mindanao who were severely affected by typhoon Odette. The donations greatly alleviated the plight and mitigated the sufferings of all severely affected PACU member schools including its students, faculty and staff.
PACU helped draft the CHED Memorandum on Sustaining Flexible Learning in Higher Education, an addendum to CMO No. 4, s. 2020. This memo gives a wide latitude for HEIs to determine and implement the appropriate teaching and learning approach, and decide on the conduct of face-to-face classes or flexible learning mode relative to the achievement of discipline-specific program outcomes suitable to conditions.
PACU and COCOPEA also met with Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and sought her assistance for the flexibility of the learning modalities to be implemented by schools for SY 2022-23 onwards, and the concerns of private schools on the implementation of Department Order 34 s. 2022 or the School Calendar and Activities for the School Year 2022-2023.
PACU advocates that private schools should be granted a wide degree of autonomy in blended learning approach as a more resilient, accessible, and sustainable model in delivering quality education among all our learners.
Dr. Vicente Paqueo and Dr. Aniceto Orbeta have concluded the PACU-PEAC- DepEd commissioned research on “Strengthening the Complementarity of Private and Public Education Towards Greater Inclusion, Efficiency, and Freedom of Choice (Phase 2).” Building up on the complementarity study, PACU is spearheading a multisectoral group who will recommend increasing the budget for basic education to provide additional budget for voucher programs.
