By Michael Visaya

The Expanded Tertiary Education, Equivalency, and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) of Mariano Marcos State University underwent a recertification visit from the ETEEAP Technical Panel and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on July 31. 

Held at the Center for Flexible Learning, the visit aims to reassess the university's capacity to continue offering programs under ETEEAP through document verification, on-site inspection of facilities, and interviews with faculty members and administration. 

MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. remarked that the recertification of ETEEAP will open more opportunities for learners who wish to pursue higher education through the program.
“One of our agendas in our SUCCEED leadership is strategic access and equity. We are hoping that all our programs under ETEEAP will be certified,” Dr. Manzano said. 

Serving as chair of the ETEEAP Technical Panel were Dr. Benilda Villenas, along with members Dr. Alexander Franco Delantar and Dr. Bashiruddin Ajihil. Mely Mar Perez of the CHED Central Office’s Office of Programs and Standards Development, and Dr. Myrelle Faith D. Mina from CHED Region I, were also present during the visit. 

According to MMSU ETEEAP Chief Robert Salvador, the university applied in 2024 for certificate renewal of the eight programs offered under ETEEAP: BS Industrial Technology, BS Economics, BS Biology, BA English Language, BS Development Communication, BS Environmental Science, BS Marine Biology, and Bachelor in Automotive Technology. 

Since its inception in 1996, MMSU has produced notable graduates through its ETEEAP program, including Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos, who earned her BS Economics degree in 2023. 
The offering of ETEEAP follows Executive Order 330 Series of 1996, which recognizes that education and the acquisition of higher expertise can occur outside the confines of the classroom.