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The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the Philippines has launched an online system that allows repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from the Middle East to convert their professional experience into academic credits for a college degree. This initiative, under the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), aims to integrate OFWs back into the local workforce with recognized qualifications, benefiting both employment readiness and career advancement.

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The ENROLL online enlistment system provides an accessible pathway for OFWs to gain formal academic credentials. CHED chairperson Shirley Agrupis highlighted that this system creates “credible pathways to formal credentials," crucial for former OFWs seeking reintegration. The prioritization is given to displaced, repatriated, and skilled workers with over five years of experience. To facilitate this, pre-assessments are conducted through the ETEEAP National Registration and Onboarding for Lifelong Learning, enabling a streamlined conversion process.

Additionally, enlistment kiosks will be established in various educational institutions across the Philippines, providing on-site registration, pre-assessment, and advisory services. This initiative has already seen success, with 333 OFWs graduating through ETEEAP by February, many seeing career advancements and better job opportunities as a result, according to CHED data.

In related developments, Philippine Airlines (PAL) will resume flights between Manila and Riyadh starting April 10 amid shifts in the Middle East. To ensure safety during these operations, PAL will temporarily adjust its routes, with select Manila-Riyadh flights making a refueling stop in Bangkok.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Philstar · 09 Apr 2026

Good initiative!