CHED, PRC implement COPC requirement: Board takers left in limbo

CEBU, Philippines — Thousands of graduating students in the Philippines who opt to take board exams this year face uncertainty after the Commission and Higher Education (CHED) and Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) has decided to fully implement its Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) requirement for schools.

In its CHED regional office VII memorandum released last December 2024, the CSC reiterated the importance of securing the COPC most especially to the board programs.

The COPC is a recognition that a specified degree program being offered by state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) is fully compliant with the policies, standards, and guidelines of CHED and aligned with the current educational reforms such as K to 12 basic education curriculum, new general education curriculum, etc.

“PRC will no longer admit applications for the licensure examinations from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) without COPCs,” reads a portion in the memo.

With this, clamor echoed just like in the case of some mechanical engineering graduates who will be taking their board exams this coming February 2025 after knowing that the university they graduated from has not complied with the COPC.

One mechanical engineering student, who requested anonymity, expressed how disheartened and disappointed he is of the decision.

Engineering is just one of the many board courses that will be affected by the sudden change. Without a PRC license, engineering graduates are not eligible to practice their profession.

“Syempre naguol ko pag ayo, after pila ka months ko nag review, diha ra nako nahibaw an pag December last year na dili diay ko makatake ani since gipangitaan ang amo school ug COPC which is karun pa nila gi implement ug gina strikto,” he shared.

A civil engineering graduate, who also asked for anonymity, can’t help but become emotional as she shared that staying motivated is difficult since they have already invested so much time, money, and effort.

“This setback has disrupted our momentum, but we remain hopeful that reconsideration will be granted, allowing us to take the exam in April,” she shared.

In the meantime, while awaiting further updates, some reviewees already left the review center to seek temporary employment.

“Being the eldest child, taking a break or rest isn't an option. So, I plan on looking for a job that I could land even without a license yet. Although it is hard, I have to do it,” one graduate shared.

He added that his parents felt downhearted and angry at some point since all the expenses from the review center to daily allowance and the expenses for the boarding house have gone to waste.

In an online interview with the ME department chairman of CTU Danao, Engr. Marlon Mata, he explained their current situation, noting that while they had consistently achieved a 100 percent passing rate in the last six licensure exams, they were unable to fully comply with COPC requirements due to limited funding.

“Usual allocations are P200,000 to 400,000 a year… No 2.8 million is allocated para mag purchase pami sa needed equipment,” he shared.

Despite the efforts, full compliance may not be achieved until later in 2025 which leaves graduating students anxious about their pursuits, especially since the ME licensure exam is fast approaching.

“Some of our reviewees have already gone home, unsure if they can take the exam,” the chairman lamented.

One student even highlighted the financial strain this situation has caused. “I stopped working to focus entirely on my board exam review. We’ve spent a significant amount on the review center, boarding house, and daily expenses,” she said.

When asked about the possible initiative by the university, the chairman said the ME department has negotiated with the review center to offer free second reviews for those unable to take the exam in February.

Meanwhile, students are appealing to CHED and PRC for reconsideration.

“We would like to appeal for reconsideration regarding our eligibility for the board exam. We understand the intention behind the newly implemented policy. However, we are already in advanced stages of preparation and application based on the previous guidelines. If possible, we kindly request transitional measures or additional time for universities to comply with and acquire the COPC,” the appeal highlighted.

CHED’s response

In an exclusive interview with CHED Supervising Education Program Specialist Johnny Yao Jr., he explained to The Freeman their side as to the importance of COPC in ensuring quality education.

“It's an authority coming from CHED that they passed the minimum standards and requirements for the degree program,” said Yao Jr.

The COPC requirement was introduced in 2010, but its enforcement has been delayed several times.

For Yao, he assumes that during its initial implementation, there were requests to extend the compliance period, considering the constraints faced by HEIs, such as budget limitations and faculty turnover and most especially the toll of pandemic.

“Maybe now 2025, as decided by the commission en banc and PRC as well nga i think it's high time to really implement it because it has been extended indefinitely,” he explained.

In its application for COPC, CHED collaborates with experts, technical panels, and regional quality assessment teams to evaluate institutions applying for COPC.

State universities should meet standards in every program including: Curriculum; Faculty qualifications (master’s degrees in aligned disciplines); Facilities (laboratories and libraries); Quality assurance; and Student services.

Yao emphasized that compliance must be complete, with no room for partial compliance. Programs must fully adhere to CHED's Policies, Standards, and Guidelines (PSGs) to be issued a COPC.

“Sa COPC man gud, it’s all or nothing, walay partially complied lang. It should either be complied or not complied lang,” Yao said.

When asked about the region’s status for application by state universities, Yao disclosed that Cebu Normal University (CNU) is leading in compliance, followed by Bohol Island State University (BISU), with Cebu Technological University (CTU) trailing behind due to the large number of campuses and programs it manages.

CHED remains committed in assisting each university's deans and program heads in understanding and complying with the requirements.

CHED is optimistic that several programs will receive their COPCs within the year, provided they meet the qualifications. However, Yao reiterated that the responsibility ultimately lies with the schools to allocate resources and ensure compliance.

"Quality education must be prioritized," he underscored.

Last 2010 the CHED issued implementing guidelines for the Joint CHED-PRC Circular No. 1, series of 2010, aimed at regulating the authority of SUCs to operate board programs.

The policy was under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Republic Act No. 7722 also known as The Higher Education Act of 1994 and CHED’s continued responsibility over public and private higher education institutions.

Meanwhile in the year 2023, the CHED released revised policies and guidelines regarding the issuance of COPCs to SUCs and LUCs.

The new guidelines, which align with Republic Act No. 7722 (the Higher Education Act of 1994), aim to ensure that both public and private higher education institutions adhere to quality standards in their degree-granting programs.

These guidelines were adopted by CHED after the Commission en Banc passed resolutions on October 11, 2022, and March 8-9, 2023. – /ATO (FREEMAN)