Senate Calls for Reforms to Improve Quality and Oversight of Local Universities in the Philippines

The Senate Committee on Higher and Technical-Vocational Education has called for sweeping reforms to strengthen oversight and improve the quality of local universities and colleges (LUCs) in the Philippines, citing uneven standards and rapid sector growth.

Chaired by Senator Loren Legarda, the committee held a public hearing on Wednesday, April 23, 2026, where lawmakers and education officials emphasized the need for a unified national framework to ensure accountability and quality across institutions established and funded by local government units (LGUs).

Data presented by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) showed that enrollment in baccalaureate programs at LUCs rose by 44 percent—from around 343,000 in 2021 to approximately 493,000 in 2023—reflecting increasing reliance on locally run institutions for tertiary education access.

Despite this growth, oversight remains inconsistent. Of the 152 LUCs listed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), only 107 have been granted Institutional Recognition for Academic Year 2024–2025, raising concerns about compliance with minimum standards.

EDCOM 2 Commissioner Sherwin Gatchalian warned that a significant portion of LUCs may be operating below required quality benchmarks, underscoring the urgency for systemic reform.