March 16, 2026 – The National Higher Education Commission (NHEC) of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) convened on 16 March 2026 at the CEAP National Office to discuss priority initiatives for Catholic higher education institutions in the coming months. The meeting focused on strategic responses to current educational developments, particularly the implications of national reforms and emerging technologies. Among the key agenda items were discussions on the findings of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) and how Catholic institutions can respond to the evolving needs of higher education. Commission members also explored programs aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration and academic quality among CEAP member schools.
One of the major proposals was the organization of a round-table discussion among presidents and administrators of Catholic higher education institutions to reflect on the EDCOM 2 report and its implications for private and Catholic education. The commission emphasized the importance of dialogue, collaboration, and benchmarking among institutions to address challenges such as the mismatch between higher education outcomes and labor market needs. Another key topic was the ethical use of artificial intelligence in higher education, with the commission recognizing the need for clear institutional guidelines that promote academic integrity and responsible innovation. Participants also discussed strengthening internal quality assurance systems and reviewing the Philippine Catholic Schools Standards (PCSS) for higher education as part of efforts to reinforce Catholic identity while maintaining strong academic standards.
The meeting was attended by CEAP NHEC Chairperson and CEAP CAR Trustee Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM; CEAP Trustee-at-Large Br. Manuel V. De Leon, FMS; Aklan Catholic College President Fr. Joebert Gualberto I. Villasis; Holy Angel University President Mr. Leopoldo Jaime N. Valdes; CEAP Caraga Trustee Fr. Ronniel G. Babano, STL; and CEAP Executive Director Mr. Narcy F. Ador Dionisio. The discussions were facilitated by the CEAP Planning and Development Unit. The meeting were also attended by experts as resource persons, namely; Prof. Jerralyn T. Padua, MSCS, from the College of Information and Computing Sciences of the University of Santo Tomas, Dr. Joselito C. Gutierrez, the Saint Louis University Executive Assistant, and Dr. Hector L. Martin, the Institutional Development and Quality Assurance Director at Saint Louis University.
Through the initiatives discussed, CEAP hopes to better support its member-schools in navigating current educational reforms, technological developments, and quality assurance demands. The commission expressed its commitment to fostering collaboration among Catholic higher education institutions while providing guidance on policy development, accreditation readiness, and ethical innovation. By organizing dialogues, workshops, and mentorship programs, CEAP aims to strengthen the capacity of Catholic HEIs to remain mission-driven, academically competitive, and responsive to national and global educational challenges.