Cocopea Ph

The time is ripe for a K-12 voucher program Even prior to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2), discussions have been rife for years about expanding the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education

𝓗𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓑𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓱𝓭𝓪𝔂, 𝓕𝓻. 𝓚𝓪𝓻𝓮𝓵! 🎉

On this special day, we extend our warmest greetings and heartfelt wishes. May God continue to bless you with good health, wisdom, strength, and abundant grace as you faithfully lead and inspire the Catholic educational community.
Thank you for your dedicated service, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to the mission of Catholic education.
May your birthday be filled with joy, blessings, and cherished moments, and may the year ahead bring continued success and fulfillment.

With Love,
Your COCOPEA Family

𝗖𝗢𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗔 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴

The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), through its representative Bp. Elorde M. Sambat, ACSCU Executive Director, attended the Hearing of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture today, June 15, 2026, together with fellow representatives from Wesleyan University of the Philippines, on behalf of Dr. Irineo Alvaro Jr., COCOPEA Chairperson and ACSCU President.

The hearing served as a meaningful venue for engaging in discussions on the future of Philippine basic education, with particular emphasis on strengthening collaboration between government and private educational institutions.

The Council reaffirms its commitment to actively participate in policy discussions, advocate for the interests of educators and learners, and support initiatives that advance quality, inclusive, and responsive basic education in the country.

𝐇𝐲𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐑𝐑 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐀 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟕𝟕

The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) participated in the Hybrid Public Orientation of the Approved Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 12077, or the "Student Loan Payment Moratorium during Disasters and Emergencies Act," held on June 11, 2026, at the Executive Lounge of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), HEDC Building, C.P. Garcia, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

Representing COCOPEA was Atty. John R. Jacome, Managing Director, who served as a member of the Technical Working Group (TWG) that helped draft the IRR. COCOPEA was among the organizations consulted in the development of the IRR, alongside CHED, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), and other stakeholders.

The orientation was presided over by Arnold V. Ancheta, Chief Education Program Specialist of CHED–Office of Student Development and Services (OSDS), together with Eugenio C. Garcia, Education Program Specialist II of OSDS. Among the attendees were Atty. Allan Chester B. Nadate, Deputy Director General for Finance and Legal Affairs of TESDA, Mr. Robin E. Lim, Program Manager of DILG, and Dr. Margaret S. Aquino, Director, TUP-OSAS of PASUC.

Following long, extensive consultations and collaboration, the IRR of RA No. 12077 has been finalized. The law provides eligible students enrolled in higher education institutions and technical-vocational institutions with a moratorium on student loan payments during declared disasters and emergencies, without penalties, additional interest, or adverse effects on their enrollment, graduation, scholarships, grants, or subsidies.

COCOPEA remains committed to working with government agencies and education stakeholders in advancing policies that promote access, equity, resilience, and student welfare in Philippine education.

CALL FOR DONATIONS | The recent earthquake in Mindanao has left many of our brothers and sisters in urgent need of relief. The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) calls upon your generosity. Together, let us extend a helping hand to the affected communities through our Calamity Fund.

You may donate thru this account:

Bank: EastWest Bank
Account Name: Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, Inc.
Account Number: 200045792152
Branch: Congressional

Please send your deposit/transaction slips to [email protected] so we can issue an Official Receipt and for proper documentation.

Thank you and God bless us all.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐎𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐀’𝐬 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) held its Quarterly Board Meeting on June 8, 2026, at Trinity University of Asia, E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Irineo G. Alvaro, Jr., the new COCOPEA Chairperson and ACSCU President, together with Atty. John R. Jacome, COCOPEA Managing Director.

At this turning point, the Board concentrated its discussion on the significant role and contribution of private education in advancing quality education in the Philippines. Among the other matters discussed were private education’s preparations for the opening of the school calendar, updates on its engagements with government agencies, pending education-related legislation, and preparations for the COCOPEA National Congress 2026. Moreover, the Board likewise received updates from its member associations and explored opportunities to further strengthen collaboration and unified advocacy for ethical, responsible and God-fearing society.

Present during the meeting were the officers and trustees of the five (5) national member-associations of COCOPEA, namely:

𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬, 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 (𝐀𝐂𝐒𝐂𝐔): Dr. Irineo G. Alvaro, Jr., COCOPEA Chairperson, ACSCU President and President of Wesleyan University of the Philippines; Dr. Arceli Rosario, ACSCU Trustee and President of Adventist University of the Philippines; Dr. Pio Baconga, ACSCU Trustee and Pilgrim Christian College; and Bp. Elorde M. Sambat, ACSCU Executive Director.

𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 (𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐔): Ms. Laurice Faye R. Juarez, PACU Trustee, 2nd Vice President and President of Capitol University; Atty. Danilo L. Concepcion, PACU Trustee and President of Centro Escolar University; Dr. Vince Fabella, PACU Trustee and President of Jose Rizal University; Dr. Caroline Marian Enriquez, PACU Trustee and President of Our Lady of Fatima University; and Ms. Joyce Samaniego, PACU Executive Director.

𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝐂𝐄𝐀𝐏): Fr. Karel S. San Juan, SJ, CEAP President and President of Ateneo de Davao University; and Mr. Narcy Ador Dionisio, CEAP Executive Director.

𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬, 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 (𝐏𝐀𝐏𝐒𝐂𝐔): Dr. Royce S. Torres, PAPSCU President and President of Iligan Medical Center College; and Dr. Antonio del Carmen, PAPSCU Trustee and President of STI College Santa Rosa.

𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐕𝐄𝐓 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬, 𝐈𝐧𝐜. (𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐕𝐄𝐓) Dr. John Thomas C. Franco, UNITVET President and Executive Vice-President of St. Alexius College; Mr. Romeo Dela Rosa, UNITVET Trustee and President of Richwell Colleges; Fr. Onofre Inocencio, SDB, UNITVET Trustee and Director of Don Bosco Technical College; and Ms. Jennifer Silao, UNITVET Executive Director.

Also in attendance were Atty. Joseph Noel Estrada, COCOPEA Legal Counsel, Atty. Therese Diana Peña and other partners supporting the Board’s advocacies and initiatives.

As the unifying voice of private education in the Philippines, COCOPEA remains committed to advancing advocacies that promote quality, accessible, and sustainable education for all.

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday said it has issued new guidelines to help schools make decisions during weather disturbances and other emergencies that may cause disruptions to classes.

READ MORE: https://inqnews.net/DepEdNewRules

𝟒𝐏𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝, 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐰

4Ps students to be prioritized, private school learners to receive support under strengthened free college law Students from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) households will be given top priority in receiving government tertiary education subsidies under the proposed bill amending the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA), following the approval of the amendment to RA 10931  b...