MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has encouraged colleges and universities not to abolish Filipino departments amid impending changes in the higher education curriculum due to the implementation of the K-12 program.

CHED officer-in-charge J. Prospero de Vera III recently issued a memorandum reminding tertiary institutions that Filipino and Philippine literature subjects are still required for all undergraduate degree programs.

He cited an existing temporary restraining order of the Supreme Court, which stopped the commission from removing Filipino subjects in the college curriculum.

“Higher education institutions, in the exercise of their academic programs in its curricular offerings, shall have the flexibility to determine the appropriate terms semester/trimester/quarter) where the Filipino courses shall be offered,” De Vera said.