Quezon City – The Philippine Catholic Schools Standards (PCSS) Commission of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines met online on January 26 to strengthen and streamline the nationwide implementation of PCSS in Catholic basic and higher education institutions. The gathering focused on aligning structures, partnerships, and training programs to ensure more coordinated, sustainable, and context-responsive adoption of the standards across dioceses and school systems.
The meeting was led by Fr. Alain P. Manalo, Chair of the PCSS Commission, and Dr. Cynthia C. Arcadio, Chair of PCSS for Basic Education. Also present were Commission members Fr. Elmer G. Dizon, Dr. Miguel Q. Rapatan, Dr. Amelia G. Ronquillo, and Sr. Luzviminda G. Mojica, together with CEAP Executive Director Narcy F. Ador Dionisio and the Membership Services and Communications Unit team.
The Commission agreed to strengthen PCSS implementation by formalizing a partnership between the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines and the Phoenix Foundation, specifically for basic education. This partnership clarifies roles and shared responsibilities in providing technical and administrative support to basic education schools.
For PCSS in Basic Education, preparatory work will focus on forming and training implementers through a national Training of Trainers in early March, to be followed by diocesan orientations and workshops for designated school personnel.
At the same time, plans for the Higher Education rollout were further firmed up, including the creation of a core group of Catholic universities that will help develop a larger pool of trainers and mentors to guide colleges and universities in adopting and contextualizing PCSS.
The outcomes of the meeting signal an important step forward in CEAP’s continuing mission to strengthen Catholic schools through quality education, authentic faith formation, and sustainable institutional development.
Through its advocacy expressed in the Philippine Catholic Schools Standards (PCSS), the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines promotes a culture of continuous improvement among Catholic educational institutions across the country. By upholding clear, mission-centered standards, PCSS guides schools in deepening their Catholic identity, advancing academic excellence, and nurturing the holistic development of learners, ensuring that Catholic education remains faithful, relevant, and responsive to the needs of today’s Church and society.