𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | Dr. De Leon joins Central Luzon Local College Presidents in CHED Consultation on Draft Policy for Local Colleges; LPC advances policy dialogue on local college governance, institutional autonomy, and community-responsive higher education

Date Posted: Oct. 14, 2026

Dr. Elmer B. De Leon, College President of Limay Polytechnic College (LPC), together with Mr. Mark Anthony Banda, QUALITI Officer, joined fellow presidents of local colleges in Central Luzon in the Consultation on the Draft Policy on the Establishment, Operation, and Governance of Local Colleges convened by the Commission on Higher Education–Office of Institutional Quality Assurance and Governance (CHED-OIQAG) on October 13, 2026, at the CHED Building in Diliman, Quezon City.

The consultation was led by Director Lora L. Yusi of CHED-OIQAG, who presented the salient provisions of the proposed 2026 policy, highlighting its key features and comparative analysis with the previous Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 32, series of 2006, and the current CMO No. 18, series of 2022.

The presentation underscored the importance of revisiting and updating policy frameworks to address the evolving landscape of Philippine higher education and the distinctive circumstances of locally established colleges.

“The education system is fast evolving; therefore, we need to go along with it by reviewing our policies purposefully and making them relevant and appropriate with the demands of the time,” Director Yusi emphasized.

She further stressed that a one-size-fits-all approach may not adequately address the diverse contexts and institutional realities of local colleges.
Instead, their establishment, operation, and governance must be grounded in their fundamental purpose: responding to people's needs, fulfilling community aspirations, and addressing industry demands through guided pathways.

This perspective highlights the importance of contextualized policies that recognize local colleges as vital instruments of community development and accessible, relevant higher education.

Director Yusi also announced forthcoming initiatives, including a Local College Summit to be organized by her office and an anticipated orientation on the community college framework and dialogue on local colleges to be conducted by the University of the Philippines - Los Banos Open University in Laguna.

Hon. Michelle Ong, Oversight Commissioner for Local College Governance, who was attending a training in Dubai, delivered a message for the LC Presidents via recorded video and clarified the essence and the real purpose of a local college which must be contextualized based on the community need.

An open forum followed the presentation, providing local college presidents with an opportunity to share institutional experiences, established practices, operational challenges, and recommendations for refining the proposed policy.

The exchange brought forward practical considerations concerning the governance, administration, and long-term sustainability of local colleges across different local government contexts.

During the discussion, Dr. De Leon raised reflections, inquiries, and clarificatory concerns regarding longstanding issues on policy alignment, harmonization, and interpretation among government agencies exercising authority or providing guidance on matters affecting local colleges.

He emphasized the need to establish greater coherence among applicable policies, particularly those governing institutional administration, personnel, financing, and academic operations.

He also highlighted the significance of ensuring the lateral alignment of the proposed CHED policy with existing and forthcoming laws, recognizing local colleges as essential partners of local government units (LGUs) in advancing people empowerment, community development, and inclusive economic growth.

In response, Director Yusi acknowledged the importance of strengthening policy coordination among concerned government agencies, particularly the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

She noted that CHED was beginning to pursue initiatives toward this direction, including plans to engage local government bodies and local chief executives in the continuing policy dialogue.

The participating presidents expressed optimism about the proposed policy, viewing it as an opportunity to establish a more responsive and enabling framework for local college governance

Among the critical expectations raised during the consultation were greater academic, fiscal, and operational management autonomy, supported by appropriate mechanisms for collaboration and assistance from LGUs, CHED, partner industries, and other stakeholders.

The participants likewise, conveyed their appreciation to CHED-OIQAG for initiating the policy review and providing a consultative platform where the experiences and recommendations of local college leaders could contribute to the refinement and eventual finalization of the proposed issuance.

The consultation represents an important step toward developing a more coherent, responsive, and context-sensitive policy framework for local colleges.

By recognizing their distinctive mandates and strengthening coordination among national government agencies and LGUs, the proposed policy holds promise for advancing institutional effectiveness, quality assurance, and sustainable community-responsive higher education.

According to CHED-OIQAG, another assembly will be convened to disseminate the finalized policy upon its official issuance as a Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order.

For Limay Polytechnic College, participation in this policy consultation reflects its continuing commitment to good governance, institutional quality assurance, strategic partnerships, and constructive engagement in national higher education policy development.

It reinforces the College's vision of strengthening its institutional foundations while fulfilling its mandate as a local higher education institution dedicated to empowering learners, responding to community needs, and contributing to sustainable local development. #

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