CHED Urged to Complete Nationwide Survey on Anti-Harassment Compliance

A lawmaker on Wednesday urged the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to complete its nationwide survey of higher education institutions (HEIs) on compliance with anti-sexual harassment laws, after the agency covered only 46% of schools in its latest report. Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago said CHED had surveyed only 918 HEIs, representing 46% of the total number of HEIs nationwide, in compliance with the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act and the Bawal Bastos Law. “Does CHED have a plan to complete our surveying of all HEIs this year or next year and ensure compliance with these two important laws,” Ms. Elago asked in Filipino during the House of Representatives plenary deliberations on CHED’s proposed 2027 budget. Makati Rep. Monique Yazmin Maria Q. Lagdameo, CHED’S budget sponsor, said the data were based on submissions received by the agency, which was still waiting for reports from other HEIs. “From the CHED side, we will follow up so that we can update the data that was given to you,” Ms. Lagdameo said in mixed English and Filipino. — Pexcel John Bacon