Autonomous and Deregulated Schools

By Dr. Rex Casiple

The Western Visayas region produced nine private higher education institutions (PHEIs) out of 92 nationwide that were granted autonomous and deregulated status by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as outlined in CHED Memorandum Order No. 7, series of 2024. These PHEIs will retain their status until September 2027.

Schools in Western Visayas granted autonomous status include Central Philippine University, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University – Molo, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University – Arevalo, John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation – Bacolod, University of St. La Salle – Bacolod, and STI – West Negros University in Bacolod City.

These institutions benefit from exemptions such as not needing Special Orders for graduates, reduced CHED monitoring, priority for financial incentives and assistance, and preferential support for linkages with recognized foreign universities. They can prescribe their curricular programs for global competitiveness, offer new undergraduate courses without CHED permits (except those under moratorium), and develop programs without existing CHED policies, standards, and guidelines. Additionally, they can offer extension classes, distance education, increase tuition without CHED approval, grant honorary degrees, and receive priority in processing new graduate program applications.

Western Visayas schools granted deregulated status are the University of San Agustin, Filamer Christian University, and the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos. These institutions also enjoy many of the same privileges, including exemptions from Special Orders for graduates, reduced CHED oversight, financial incentives, the authority to grant honorary degrees, and priority processing of graduate program applications.

These PHEIs underwent a comprehensive CHED evaluation focusing on student performance in professional board exams, employability rates, and curricular alignment with industry needs. The assessment also considered their global partnerships and international engagements with top universities.

Autonomous universities have highly accredited programs and are recognized for educational leadership. Deregulated institutions maintain high standards of instruction and showcase strong performance through several accredited programs and designations as Centers of Excellence (COE) or Centers of Development (COD).

Out of the 92 recognized PHEIs, 77 are autonomous private universities, considered the best in the country, producing world-class graduates included in international university rankings.

This identification of Autonomous and Deregulated schools’ program of the CHED served as inspiration for other private HEIs to strive for Excellence by benchmarking and emulating the programs and practices of these top universities in the country.