Dear PAO,
I am 31 years old and currently hold a high school diploma. I have been working as a chef for seven (7) years now in an American-themed restaurant in Makati City. I am planning to apply for a higher position in my company’s chain of restaurants, however, the next level position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field. What advice can you give me in relation to my interest in applying for a higher position?
Boyet

Dear Boyet,
The answer to your query is found in Republic Act (RA) 12124 or the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act, which was signed into law on March 3, 2025.

Section 4 of the said law provides that:
“SEC. 4. The Expanded Tertiary Education, Equivalency and Accreditation Program. – The Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program, hereinafter referred to as the ETEEAP, is hereby institutionalized as a comprehensive alternative learning program of the government for tertiary education based on academic equivalency, accreditation, validation, and recognition of prior learning or the knowledge and expertise derived from relevant work experiences and from formal, non-formal. and informal training that harness the student’s full potential. As an integral part of the tertiary education system, it shall allow the undergraduate degree for high school graduates, senior high school graduates, post-secondary technical-vocational graduates, and college undergraduates, including working professionals who were unable to finish or advance into college, or have earned a bachelor’s degree and wish to obtain a special graduate degree program without going through the traditional schooling methods.

“The ETEEAP shall be used to identify, assess, validate, and assign equivalent undergraduate level and special graduate programs of prior learning from formal, non-formal and informal learning systems, relevant work experiences, and completion of competency enrichment and other program requirements for the grant of appropriate academic degrees to qualified individuals. Xxx”
Sec. 5 thereof also states that:

“SEC. 5. Qualifications. – Filipino citizens, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, may apply for equivalency and accreditation if they satisfy the following requirements:
“(a) Not less than twenty-three (23) years of age at the time of application;

“(b) Completion of a secondary school program as evidenced by a high school diploma, or a result of the Philippine Educational Placement Test or Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency Assessment and Certification stating that the individual concerned is qualified to enter college; and

“(c) At least five (5) years of aggregate work experience in the industry related to the academic degree program or discipline where equivalency of learning is sought: Provided, That the applicant may submit documentation of relevant training programs and other proof of formal, non-formal, and informal learning. as may be required by the deputized HEI including National Certificates or Certificates of Competency issued by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).”

Based on the foregoing, a working professional like you may be allowed to earn a college degree without going through the traditional schooling methods. The examination of the legal requirements shows that you are qualified to pursue a chef-related bachelor’s degree necessary to your application for promotion, since you (a) are 31 years old, (b) holder of a high school diploma, and (c) have been working as a chef for at least seven years. Further, it is the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) which is the lead agency in the implementation of the ETEEAP as provided in Section 6 thereof. In order to start obtaining your related bachelor’s degree pursuant to ETEEAP, you may apply with the deputized HEIs accredited by CHED found at ched.gov.ph (CHED website) or at eteeap.org (ETEEAP website).
We hope that we are able to answer your queries. This advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to [email protected]