CHED Grants Colleges Flexibility to Shift Fully Online Amid Energy Crisis

The Commission on Higher Education has allowed colleges and universities across the Philippines to move classes fully online as the country responds to a widening fuel and energy crisis. The policy gives higher education institutions temporary flexibility to adopt 100% online learning, framing the measure as a crisis-response tool rather than a permanent sector-wide shift.

CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis said the move was approved on April 6 and draws on rules first used during the COVID-19 period. According to CHED, institutions that want to deliver programs through online distance education must still comply with existing requirements under Memorandum Order No. 12, series of 2025, which sets the policies and guidelines for Open Distance and e-Learning. Reported qualification requirements include having CHED-recognized programs, passing a capability self-assessment, and delivering at least 51% of total course units through ODeL modalities.

CHED’s decision comes against the backdrop of a broader government emergency response to energy supply risks linked to conflict in the Middle East. On March 25, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency, citing geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, as well as disruptions affecting global oil markets and the Strait of Hormuz. The administration said the declaration was meant to protect domestic energy stability, maintain essential services, and cushion the economy from supply shocks.

The government’s response has been organized under the UPLIFT framework, a whole-of-government package covering livelihoods, industry, food, and transport. Under the executive order, the Department of Energy and state energy firms were authorized to move faster on fuel procurement and other conservation and stabilization measures. The emergency declaration is set to remain in effect for one year unless lifted or extended earlier.

Before the emergency declaration, Malacañang had already sought to calm fears over fuel shortages. On March 4, the government said the Philippines had roughly 50 to 60 days of fuel supply on hand, with the Department of Energy listing inventories of 50.5 days for diesel, 51.5 days for gasoline, 67.5 days for kerosene, 58 days for jet fuel, and 29 days for LPG. Officials also said contingency measures would be triggered if crude prices stayed elevated.

The shift-to-online option is expected to give schools room to ease transport costs for students, faculty, and staff while also helping institutions manage rising electricity and operating expenses. CHED officials described the measure as a stopgap mechanism during the crisis, while leaving open the possibility that some institutions may later pursue full ODeL accreditation if they determine that long-term online delivery is appropriate for their programs.