In compliance with the stipulated provisions of Republic Act 7722 otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994”, and in keeping with the intent of CMO, No. 35, s. 2000 specifying the Updated Policies and Guidelines on Alternative Systems of Education”, Saint Mary’s University instituted the Center for Alternative and Continuing Education (CACE) last June 2003, and later CACE was changed to Equivalency and Technical Vocational Assessment Office (ETVAO) in April 2014. It is the adjunct system of the institution that is designed to support and respond to the clamor for continuing, or lifelong learning amidst innovations, transformation, and changes in the various levels of the academe.

ETVAO hinges upon the concept of continuing education as a subsidiary path for “Education for all” using alternative delivery systems. There is a paramount need for ETVAO to establish new modes that fit the career paths and educational opportunities of students with diverse abilities, needs, work status and socioeconomic and cultural background.

Better still, there is an urgent need for the Institution to work out operational mechanisms, and alternative programs to admit students in the undergraduate programs and help them benefit optimally from them. Hence, the ETVAO crafted internal “safety” for the course programs: certificate and diplomate, delivery and evaluation schemes, policies, standards, provisions and activities-all of which are indeed the embodiment of the vision- mission of the university and the articulation of the prescribed standards.

The Center for Alternative and Continuing Education was under the headship of Dr. Nena P. Valdez, later succeeded by Dr. Lina S. Calucag. Dr. Micah Ryan B. Ramel assumed the position of CACE Head on July 15, 2010. However, from November 11, 2013, to March 31, 2014, Dr. Moises Alexander T. Asuncion acted as Officer-in-Charge. Thereafter, the office was handed over to Mr. Joman J. Baliton in April 2014. On April 1, 2016, Mr. Seigfried Rommell D. Cancino assumed the position as the OIC-ETVAO Coordinator. Following this, in January 2018, the appointed Officer-in-Charge was the VP for Academic Affairs, Dr. Moises Alexander T. Asuncion, until the end of May 2018. On June 04, 2018- May 2019, the office was appointed to Dr. Mayvelyn S. Covita, concurrent Department Head of Hospitality and Tourism Management from the School of Accountancy and Business. Following this, on June 1, 2019- present, the manning of the office was now appointed to Mrs. Joan B. Taroma, MSN, RN.

ETVAO’s inception paved the way to numerous opportunities for its stakeholders. With ETVAO’s mission in providing the community greater opportunity and easy access to education, in partnership with the University’s schools and other units, through its innovation in creating more flexible and alternative scheme of acquiring skills and knowledge, ETVAO has been tremendously changing and uplifting the quality of lives of its clientele and their productivity in the community.

Now, the Equivalency and Technical Vocational Assessment Office has evolved not only as an academic leverage to students but also as a vehicle towards the productivity of clients in the community.

ETVAO is currently responsible and accountable for the smooth implementation of three (3) important programs, in partnership with the University’s schools and other units, namely CHED- Authorized Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), TESDA-Accredited Assessment Center Services Program,  and   Competency-based   Technical Education Skills Development (CBTESD) Program.