The idea to establish the Emmaus College of Theology Foundation Inc. started from a deep concern of Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, on the formation and vocation of the young Catholics with the hope to prepare the new generation of leaders in the Catholic Church. Series of meetings with the core group were called in order to realize the said dream.
In the formal meeting on April 24, 2019, the Management Team composed of Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, Aminda E. Saño, EDC., Ronela Mocoy, EC. and Dr. Celso Pernia has accepted the challenge. Individual tasks and responsibilities were assigned to each one, relative to the preparation of pertinent documents. On May 29, 2019, a special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Emmaus Dialogue Community Inc. was called. In that meeting, the Board unanimously approved Resolution No. 1 series of 2019, ―made to form and apply for another legal entity as Emmaus College of Theology Foundation Inc.‖ Thus, on June 20, 2019, pertinent documents were submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for registration. On July 1, 2019, the articles of incorporation and other important documents were submitted to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office IX for the issuance of the first endorsement to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). On July 8, 2019, the SEC issued a Certificate of Incorporation to Emmaus College of Theology Foundation Inc.
On August 8, 2019, the academic personnel of the Emmaus College of Theology headed by its director, Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME and academic dean Ronela V. Mocoy, EC submitted the pertinent documents to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office IX as part of the requirements for application for a government permit to operate the college. On August 22, 2019, the CHED-IX officials together with the Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT) made an inspection to assess and evaluate the program. On September 10, 2019, CHED Regional Office IX issued Emmaus College of Theology Foundation Inc. the government permit number 001 series of 2020, granting to open and conduct the first and second year levels of the course on Bachelor of Science in Theology major in Interreligious Dialogue starting August, first semester of school year 2020 – 2021.