National Arts Month

We, at the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office I, proudly support the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in leading the celebration of National Arts Month 2025 with the theme:
Ani ng Sining, Diwa at Damdamin.
We encourage all higher education institutions in Region I to take part in this meaningful celebration by organizing activities that showcase the rich Iloko and Pangasinense culture and arts.
Let us honor our heritage, nurture creativity, and celebrate the soul and spirit of our local arts!

RQAT Assess Lorma Colleges’ PT Internship Program for renewal of accreditation

The Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT) for the Physical Therapy (PT) Program visited the Lorma Colleges Fitness Center relative to the institution’s application for the renewal of accreditation to offer the Physical Therapy Internship Program on February 4, 2025.
The RQAT team, led by Dr. Cheryll Didi Nellie N. Obra and Professor Catalina Rose Tanagon, along with Dr. Maria Carmela L. Domocmat, CHED Education Supervisor II, evaluated documents and inspected facilities in accordance with CMO No. 55, series of 2017.
Dr. Ellen Mae P. Abiqui, Academic Executive Director, together with Dr. Maverick Kaypee A. Colet, Chief Physical Therapist of Lorma Colleges, welcomed and assisted the RQAT team during the inspection visit.
The visit ended with an exit conference, where the results of the inspection visit were communicated to the school officials.
๐˜ฃ๐˜บ ๐˜”.๐˜Š. ๐˜‹๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฐ๐˜ค๐˜ฎ๐˜ข๐˜ต
#CHEDRO1

23rd RHEPC sets record with over 400 participants

San Juan, La Union โ€“ The 23rd Regional Higher Education Press Conference (RHEPC) made history as over 400 campus journalists from 27 higher education institutions gathered at Puerto De San Juan Resort on February 19, 2025, nearly doubling last yearโ€™s 232 participants.
During the opening program, Dr. Maria Evelyn Corpuz, president of the Association of Regional Campus Paper Advisers (ARCPA), emphasized this milestone, noting the growing enthusiasm for campus journalism in the region.
With the record-breaking turnout, Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, CHED ROI Director IV, expressed her gratitude to the advisers and HEI administrators for supporting their students in joining the event.
In her message, she also highlighted the crucial role of student journalists in the digital revolution.
“As student journalists, you are in a position to shape that change and lead the way in how journalism adapts to this new landscape,” Dr. Ferrer emphasized.
Dr. Al Gerald Barde, CHED ROI Education Supervisor II, also encouraged the young writers to see journalism beyond competition and to use their platform as a tool for advocacy, equity, and social transformation.
โ€œI hope this press conference produces more than just medals and certificates. May we leave here with renewed hope, knowing that our pursuit of truth remains alive and when our freedom of expression is threatened, many will rally behind us,โ€ said Dr. Barde.
Keynote speaker Mr. Marc Teomar Bautista, Information Officer of the Local Government of Bacnotan, expounded on this yearโ€™s theme, โ€œPRESS PLAY: Campus Journalists as Game Changers in the Digital Revolution,โ€ urging student journalists to harness digital tools to amplify their voices and champion the concerns of the people.
For three days, the participants will compete in 14 individual categories such as news writing, feature writing, editorial writing, and photojournalism.
In addition to the individual events, the radio broadcasting competition will also take place, alongside the judging of school publications for group categories.
During the awarding ceremony on February 21, 2025, the Top 5 campus journalists in each category will be selected to represent the region at the Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference in Lucban, Quezon.
๐˜ฃ๐˜บ ๐˜ˆ.๐˜Ž. ๐˜‰๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ
#CHEDRO1

Congratulations, UCU for being recognized as a signatory in the SDG Accord

The SDG Accord is a global initiative that encourages HEIs to contribute to the United Nationsโ€™ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

By becoming a signatory, Urdaneta City University joins a network of institutions worldwide committed to integrating sustainability practices into their operations, curriculum, and research.

CHED ROI always supports our HEIs in aligning their programs and initiatives with the UN SDGs. This approach sparks a deeper dialogue on sustainability, encouraging our HEIs to assess their contributions to the global goals and explore innovative ways to expand their efforts.

We look forward to having more HEIs leading the initiatives to contribute to the attainment of the SDGs!

#CHEDRO1

CHED RO1 Supervisors strengthen expertise in Research-Based Policy Development

Dr. Maria Carmela Domocmat and Engr. Leonora Quarte Education, Supervisors of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 1 (CHED ROI), attended the Seminar-Workshop on Research-Based Policy Crafting of the Department of Science and Technology Region 1 (DOST R1), through its Research and Development and International Linkages Program Management Center (RDILPMC), at the DOST Region 1 Conference Hall, San Fernando City, La Union on February 11-14, 2025.
The seminar-workshop was designed to equip the participants with the skills and knowledge needed for effective policy-making.
The training was facilitated by Dr. Lily Ann D. Lando, former Chief Science Research Specialist of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARD).
Apart from the lectures delivered by the speaker, participants also engaged in hands-on workshops and collaborative discussions.
Dr. Angelina Gonzales, Vice President for Research and Extension of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University gave the welcome message during the first day of the training.
During the early part of her lecture, Dr. Lando reiterated the need to have a co-creation type of research policy relations, one where researchers and policy makers work together. This context served as the guiding point of the participants during the first day of the training when they were tasked to identify the readers of their policy briefs and craft their respective introductions.
Further, the second day of the training focused on the critiquing of the policy options, where the speaker stressed on creating a balance in the presentation of the options and ensuring that impartiality is sustained.
โ€œWe do this kind of critiquing to prove that we have a scientific eye, and not an emotional eyeโ€, Dr. Lando said.
The third day of the training focused on the development of actionable recommendations, finessing the brief, as well as the crafting of the executive summary of the policy brief. Dr. Lando presented the APEASE grid as a tool in assessing the policy options, which contains rubrics on the acceptability, practicability, effectiveness, affordability, safety and equity of the policy options.
The policy briefs crafted by the participants were pitched during the last day of the training.
Dr. Lando shared her insights on the policy briefs presented and gave recommendations for enhancement.
Dr. Domocmat and Engr. Quarte presented their crafted policy briefs on Teen Mother Scholarship and Unified Engineering Curriculum Guide, respectively.
The four-day training was attended by participants from higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Region, including DMMMSU, ISPSC, MMSU, PSU, UCU, UNP, NWU, UDD and LNU.
๐˜ฃ๐˜บ ๐˜“. ๐˜˜๐˜ถ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ

CHED ROI holds School Fees Orientation for Private HEIs

The Commission on Higher Education โ€“ Region I (CHED ROI) conducted the 2025 Orientation-Workshop on Tuition and Other School Fees (TOSF) for private higher education institutions (HEIs) in Region 1, at J&V Resort and Hotel in the City of San Fernando, La Union on February 18, 2025,
The orientation provided HEIs with a comprehensive understanding of the latest policies and regulations regarding school fees for transparency and accountability.
Focal persons for finance from the private HEIs in the region converged to participate in the orientation-workshop on Accomplishment of the Self-Assessment Tool of TOSF and Crafting of the TOSF Report.
Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, CHED Director IV, shared the objectives of the activity and delivered her welcome remarks.
“Through our combined efforts, we envision achieving a harmonious fit between financial stability for our institutions and the provision of accessible, high-quality education to all learners,” Dr. Ferrer said.
Dr. Danilo B. Bose, Chief Education Program Specialist, discussed the pertinent provisions on school fees of the Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, while Dr. Angelica Q. Dolores, Supervising Education Program Specialist, presented the overview of CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 3, s. 2012, and the Status of Tuition and Other School Fees of PHEIs in Region 1.
Education Supervisors Dr. Myrelle Faith Mina, Dr. Ricky Cera, Dr. Maria Carmela Domocmat, and Atty. Dessa Estrada facilitated the discussion on other related issues and concerns and the TOSF monitoring tool.
#CHEDRO1

Pursuing its community college plan LGU Bacnotan consults CHED Region I

The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bacnotan met with officials from the Commission on Higher Education – Region I (CHED ROI) to discuss the requirements for establishing a community college and applying for the offering of an academic program.

Hon. Divina Fontanilla, Mayor of Bacnotan, sought guidance from Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, CHED Director IV, on potential academic programs that could be offered should the municipality proceed with the establishment of a local college.

Dr. Nabor-Ferrer emphasized that the programs should be aligned with the needs of local industries in Bacnotan and should be distinct from those offered by nearby institutions to ensure relevance and sustainability.

Dr. Danilo Bose, Chief Education Program Specialist, and Dr. Al Gerald Barde, Education Supervisor II, provided insights and shared the necessary documents required for the initiative, including the ordinance that would establish the community collegeโ€™s charter.

Mayor Fontanilla highlighted that the proposed community college aims to provide accessible education opportunities for students who cannot afford to attend private institutions.

As a registered nutritionist-dietitian and educator herself, Mayor Fontanilla has been a strong advocate for education and wellness. In addition to her efforts in higher education, she has also implemented programs for senior citizens and supported the offering TESDA-related courses to support skills development in the municipality.

๐˜ฃ๐˜บ ๐˜ˆ.๐˜Ž. ๐˜‰๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ
#CHEDRO1

MMSU is one of the chosen HEIs to implement the AIMS Programs!

The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 1 extends its congratulations to Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) for being among the selected Philippine higher education institutions (PHEIs) to carry out the Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Program.

The AIMS Program is one of the flagship programs of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization – Regional Institute of Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED) which provides a multilateral platform to promote and enhance student mobility.

From your CHED ROI family, congratulations, MMSU! May this achievement inspire more HEIs in the region to expand their networks and continue enhancing the quality of education.

CHED RO1 PTS attends seminar on MHEI data collection

Mr. Kotaro Jncyrl Q. Velasco, Project Technical Staff II, represented the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 1 (CHED ROI) during the nationwide workshop on the collection of relevant data for maritime education, via Zoom Video Conference, on February 11, 2025.
The Office of Programs and Standards Development (OPSD) and Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI) organized the said workshop to further enhance the data management and processes of the Maritime Higher Educations (MHEIs) in the country.
The purpose of the CHED-PAMI-initiated seminar was to establish a more accurate, reliable, and standardized approach to data collection, ensuring alignment between official records and the figures produced by the MHEIs for CHED, MARINA, and other stakeholders.
Mr. Velasco suggested the importance of ensuring complete records and documentary requirements when applying for SO and reminded MHEIs of their freedom to implement Maritime programs while complying with the mandatory and minimum requirements outlined in the Policies, Standards, and Guidelines (PSG).
During the session, Mr. Sabino Czar Manglicmot, PAMI President shared key issues and problems encountered by MHEIs in terms of producing relevant data to CHED.
Further, he stressed the importance of the mentioned figures to policy-making decisions as well as evidence-based outputs for maritime education and training in the country.
Mr. Moises Cabreros, Jr., Education Program Specialist of CHED OPSD, oriented the MHEIs on the revised templates on the periodic data submissions regarding Completed Classroom Instructions (CCI), Enrollment Data, Deployment Rate, and Graduate Data.
It was also noted that cadets who have Completed Classroom Instructions (CCI) are not considered graduates. Therefore, they must enroll prior Onboard Training (OBT), pass the post-OBT assessments upon vessel disembarkation, and have a Special Order (S.O.) number issued by the CHED Regional Office to be recognized as graduate from an MHEI.
During the workshop proper, MHEIs updated their institutional profiles and were asked to submit their updated data using the revised template to CHED-OPSD.
๐˜ฃ๐˜บ ๐˜’.๐˜‘. ๐˜๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ข๐˜ด๐˜ค๐˜ฐ

Congratulations, WCC-ATC for being recognized as a signatory int the SDG Accord!

The SDG Accord is a global initiative that encourages HEIs to contribute to the United Nationsโ€™ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

By becoming a signatory, WCC-Aeronautical and Technological College joins a network of institutions worldwide committed to integrating sustainability practices into their operations, curriculum, and research.

CHED ROI has been actively guiding our HEIs to align their initiatives with the UN SDGs, ensuring that sustainability is a key focus in education, research, and community involvement.

We look forward to having more HEIs leading the initiatives to contribute to the attainment of the SDGs!
#CHEDRO1