CHED urges University of Cabuyao to justify 'English-Only' Policy

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, that it had already asked the leadership of a local university in Cabuyao, Laguna, to explain its 'English-only' policy, which continues to draw criticism on social media.

In a message to reporters, CHED chairperson Prospero "Popoy" de Vera" III said he had talked with the university president "to understand the basis and intent of his proposed policy."

"I advised him to immediately issue a press release to explain and clarify the issue and to respond to media interviews. It is best that the media interview him so he can explain the proposed policy," de Vera said. 

In a deleted Facebook post, the university said it would implement the English Only Policy starting February 3, 2025, in line with its "vision of developing globally competitive and world-class students." 

The university also stated that all transactions and engagements with officers, students, employees, and workers should be communicated in English, whether written or otherwise. 

Gabriela Youth UP Diliman spokesperson Francheska Reyes said that the policy is not the answer to the country's worsening education quality crisis but increasing the budget allocation for the education sector. 

“Nakakabahala ito. Isang indikasyon kung gaano na kalala ang pagyakap sa utos ng dayuhan at mga neoliberal na polisiya. Hindi kami pabrika ng murang lakas-paggawa para sa pandaigdigang merkado,” Reyes said.

“Turuan ninyo kaming maging kritikal mag-isip at hindi parang robot na mahusay mag-Ingles. Sapat na badyet sa edukasyon ang solusyon at hindi dayuhang wikang pangkomunikasyon,” she added. 

School officials said that students, faculty members, and personnel are not required to communicate in English during conversations among peers on campus but only during "official" meetings or transactions within the academic context.

PNC president Librado Dimaunahan said the policy involves a "limited" engagement and does not require students and teachers to speak English during informal and unofficial conversations.

"Among themselves, we are not guarding every conversation to tell them it's wrong to speak in Filipino. It's only during official transactions, business and meetings with students that we need to use English," Dimaunahan said. "We are not saying that even during chit-chats with friends, students should be speaking in English. The policy is not about that. It's a limited engagement."

Dimaunahan said that PNC, a local government-run university, follows the mayor's directives to make the city "investment-friendly and likable."

He said since most of the city's investors are foreigners, the university saw it fit to train students in English proficiency.

The measure was met with mixed reactions, with some criticizing it as counterproductive and imposing "unnecessary" restrictions on the university's community members.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) refused to comment on the policy and left the matter in the hands of the PNC administrators.

CHED Chairman J. Prospero de Vera III said he had asked Dimaunahan about the policy's "basis and intent."

Although he did not say whether PNC's policies are aligned with those laid out by the CHED, De Vera said he advised university administrators to address the issue publicly.

"I advised him to issue a press release, explain and clarify the issue and respond to media interviews. It is best that the media can interview him so he can explain the proposed policy," De Vera said, referring to Dimaunahan.