ALCUCOA: Its Birth, Growth and Development
The process to assess and raise the standards for quality and excellence in the Philippine education known as "Accreditation" began in 1957 through the establishment of the Philippine Association of Accredited Schools and Universities (PAASCU). This accrediting agency was intentionally created for private educational institutions.
It was only in the 1980's when the idea of accreditation for public Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) was presented to member-institutions of PASUC by Dr. Bonifacio Sibayan and Dr. Abraham I. Felipe — subsequently leading to the creation of AACCUP in 1989, which responded to the challenges of accreditation for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).
Creation of ALCU
Local Colleges and Universities (LCUs) are created by their local governments to directly address the intellectual and socio-economic needs of their community. With the increasing number of LCUs, an association was organized known as the Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU) with Dr. Benjamin G. Tayabas as its first President, succeeded by Prof. Tomas B. Lopez, Jr., Dr. Dalisay Brawner and Dr. Rene Colocar.
Birth of ALCUCOA
CHED Chairman Bro. Rolando R. Dizon, FSC invited ALCU officers for a consultative meeting, highlighting the creation of a Commission on Accreditation for Local Colleges and Universities.
ALCUCOA formally registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with Dr. Benjamin Tayabas as interim President and Dr. Ceferina M.P. Taringting as Executive Director. Approved on December 9, 2003.
The 2nd ALCU National Conference in Olongapo City with the theme "Strengthening LCUs through Accreditation" — the National Network of Quality Assurance Agency (NNQAA) was born.
NNQAA registered at the SEC. The federation was witnessed by national leaders from PRC, CSC, League of Cities of the Philippines, and CHED.
The ALCUCOA continues its commitment to pursue excellence and intensify efforts to bring academic standards of its member institutions to greater heights through quality higher education validated by relevant and responsive quality assurance and accreditation of programs.
ALCUCOA Leadership Through the Years
Dr. Carolina P. Danao, President of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig, was the Founding President of ALCUCOA who served from 2004 to 2006. She set up the organization, registered it with the SEC, and led the formulation of the ALCUCOA instrument. Dr. Ederlinda M. Fiesta from the University of City of Caloocan served from 2007 to 2008.
Prof. Adelina S. Patriarca of UMak led the organization from 2008 to May 6, 2014. During her term, the 1st Employment Summit was conducted with ALCUCOA partners. She facilitated accreditation across multiple LCUs, introduced training seminars, and received the 1st CHED HEDF grant of PhP 2 Million for ALCUCOA.
Dr. Benjamin Tayabas
PLM
Dr. Carolina Danao
PL Pasig
Dr. Ederlinda Fiesta
UCC
Prof. Adelina Patriarca
UMak
Dr. Raymundo Arcega
UMak
Left to Right: Dr. Benjamin Tayabas (PLM), Dr. Carolina Danao (PL Pasig), Dr. Ederlinda Fiesta, Prof. Adelina Patriarca, Dr. Raymundo Arcega (UMak)
Other achievements of Dr. Patriarca's administration include the Code of Ethical Conduct, Manual of Operations (version 1), CHED grants for multiple LCUs, revision of the accreditation instrument with employability as a new area, and an international benchmarking visit to Malaysia.
Since May 7, 2014, Dr. Raymundo P. Arcega and Dr. Elizabeth Montero have led the ALCUCOA Board of Directors as President and Vice-President respectively.
ALCUCOA 2014 and Beyond
Dr. Arcega's term was marked by his focus on ensuring sustainability of processes and programs of ALCUCOA, seen through the following key strategies:
Finalized OBE Accreditation Instrument & Manual
Organized finalization of the Outcomes Based Education Instrument and Manual of Accreditation through regional consultations in Tagaytay (July 2014) and Iloilo (August 2014).
Professionalized Accreditor Qualifications
Classification reformed from junior/senior to assistant, associate, and senior accreditor — with transparent requirements including basic and advanced accreditation trainings and on-site experience.
Setting Up the ALCUCOA Corporate Office
Permanent offices established at Maui Oasis Filinvest Manila and No. 9 Biscayne St., Quezon City — a 3-storey building with conference room, admin office, and suite rooms.
Standardized Financial & Administrative Processes
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) established to promote transparency and accountability across officers and staff.
Organized the ALCUCOA Management Group
Management Group formed comprising an Executive Director, Administrative Assistant, and Technical Assistants.
Increased Membership
As of November 21, 2022, ALCUCOA has 78 Active LCU Members with 27 accredited institutions — expanding from NCR to Regions I through XI.
Sustained Capability Training Programs (2014–2016)
Partnership with CHED and NNQAA
The new members of the Board of Directors took their oath of office with CHED Chairman Dr. Patricia Licuanan, strengthening the partnership between ALCUCOA and CHED.
Continuously Defining Quality in Philippine Higher Education
The 8th ALCUCOA Annual National Conference (October 8–9, 2015) carried the theme "Responding to the Challenges of ASEAN Integration through Outcomes-Based Quality Assurance." The 9th Conference (October 10–11, 2016) followed with "Understanding Quality Assurance in the Context of Local and International Standards and Practices."
World QS Conference, Nov 20–24, 2018
World QS Conference, Nov 25–30, 2019
During the pandemic, ALCUCOA defined the SBDL – Seamless, Blended and Digital Learning Framework for LCUs aligned with CHED's Flexible Learning. ALCUCOA has also been an active partner of NNQAA and has assumed leadership roles in the Philippine Congress House and Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Basic Education.