Majority of the 11 state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Western Visayas has expressed support to the proposed amalgamation policy of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to rationalize tertiary education in Western Visayas.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 6 said in a report that a covenant has been signed between CHED and SUC presidents favoring the proposed policy during their consultation-workshop recently.

Under the policy, amalgamated SUCs will be transformed into a Regional University System (RUS) where a single university board will be responsible for the policies, programs, procedures, and systems to be practiced by all public tertiary institutions within the region.

NEDA-6 explained the proposed rationalization is envisioned to improve the quality of academic programs of SUCs and local universities and colleges.

NEDA-6 has been designated by Regional Development Council as the over-all head of the task force that will conduct a comprehensive study for the viability of the proposed amalgamation policy for SUCs in coordination with CHED-6.

The draft of their proposed rationalization of tertiary education in Western Visayas will undergo the scrutiny of the Social Development Committee of RDC-6 and Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) before submission to the Council Proper for adoption and endorsement to CHED.*PNA