The lower house of the Philippine Congress has approved on its second reading House Bill 4553, or the consolidated Distance Learning Act, that will cover the provision of distance education by Philippine HEIs. It includes measures for the extension of tax benefits to organizations that will support distance learning in partnership with local HEIs. Media and telecommunications organizations were also encouraged to assist HEIs in promoting open learning and distance education.

What does this mean for UK HEIs?

The Act will go through a third reading, and subsequent approval, at the lower house before it is endorsed to the upper house (the Philippine Senate). Once approved by the Senate, the President will sign it into law with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) drafting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR). Our contact at CHED is confident that the bill will be enacted this year.