House OKs bill strengthening CHED on second reading

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on second reading the bill seeking to strengthen the Commission on Higher Education.

In a voice vote, the chamber approved House Bill 10282 or An Act Strengthening the Commission on Higher Education and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 7722, Otherwise Known as "The Higher Education Act of 1994."

The measure aims to expand the mandate of CHED to cover supervision and regulation of programs offered by all types of higher education institutions.

This also seeks to improve the organizational structure of CHED through creation of additional positions and provincial offices so that the delivery of services will be hastened.

The proposed measure also grants quasi-judicial powers to CHED in the pursuit of its mandate, empowers it to develop and enforce a system of program compliance and to impose necessary sanctions for cause provided by the law. — BM, GMA News