EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 694, January 18, 2008

ENABLING HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO OPT TO LADDERIZE THEIR EDUCATION PROGRAMS WITHOUT NEED FOR ISSUANCE OF PERMIT FROM THE COMMISSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

WHEREAS, the agenda of this administration is to prioritize the creation of six to ten million jobs and the expansion of youth opportunities.

WHEREAS, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are the agencies tasked to ensure the implementation of Executive Order No. 358 "TO INSTITUTIONALIZE A LADDERIZED INTERFACE BETWEEN TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (TVET) AND HIGHER EDUCATION (HE)

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution provides that the President shall have control of all executive department, bureaus and offices and shall ensure that all laws be faithfully executed;

WHEREAS, paragraph 2, Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of Executive Order No. 292 grants the President the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President and the power to transfer any function under the Office of the President to any other Department;

NOW, THEREFORE I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order the following:

Section 1. Order - A higher education institution whose programs have been granted Government Recognition by the CHED may opt to ladderize said recognized programs without need for permit either from CHED or TESDA, considering that said ladderization is within the purview of curricula matter, provided that:

a. The CHED and TESDA have issued a model curriculum for the program/s to be offered.

b. The Higher Education Institution shall submit a copy of the curriculum for each of the proposed ladderized program to CHED and TESDA who shall see to it that the minimum curricular requirements are observed.

Section 2. Repealing Clause - All orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 3. Effectivity - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 18th day of January 2008.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary