The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 1 proudly congratulates four (4) outstanding achievers from Region 1 who earned top spots in the March 2025 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) Secondary Level:
Top 8 – Raesha Jie Tarangco Abulencia, Urdaneta City University
Top 10 – Andrew Lyn Soriano De Vera, Pangasinan State University – Lingayen Campus
Top 10 – Althea Mendoza Rosario, Pangasinan State University – Bayambang Campus
Top 10 – Simeon P. Terrano, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University – South La Union Campus
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released the LET results today, May 23, 2025. A total of 16,282 out of 34,810 (46.77%) passed the Elementary Level, and 38,747 out of 62,225 (62.27%) passed the Secondary Level.
CHED RO1 commends these topnotchers for their dedication and excellence, bringing pride to Region 1 and the higher education institutions they represent.
𝘣𝘺 𝘔. 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘰
#CHEDRO1

The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 1 proudly commends the exceptional performance of two higher education institutions in Region 1 that made it to the list of Top Performing Schools in the March 2025 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET):

Elementary Level (100 or more examinees, at least 80% passing rate):
Rank 3

Pangasinan State University – Alaminos Campus: 89%
Rank 4

Pangasinan State University – Bayambang Campus: 88.72%

Secondary Level (300 or more examinees, at least 80% passing rate):
Rank 3

Pangasinan State University – Bayambang Campus: 85.78%

Secondary Level (50–99 examinees, at least 90% passing rate):
Rank 4

Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College – Main Campus: 95.88%

CHED RO1 lauds these institutions for their unwavering commitment to academic excellence and their continued contribution to quality teacher education in the region.

𝘣𝘺 𝘔. 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘰

In a bold move to address the alarming 39% national dropout rate in tertiary education, the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office I (CHED ROI) launched Project GROWS (Guidance and Resilience for Opportunities and Well-being of Students) — gathering over 41 higher education institutions (HEIs) at the University of Northern Philippines (UNP), Vigan City, Ilocos Sur on May 19, 2025.

In partnership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and UNP, the initiative targets mental health challenges, low resilience, and career uncertainty to improve student success rates. “Access and Success” is one of the key pillars of CHED’s Strategic Plan for 2024–2028.

“Many students face stress, anxiety, and depression without the right support systems in place,” said Dr. Danilo Bose, CHED ROI Chief Education Program Specialist.
He added that through Project GROWS, CHED ROI aims to empower guidance counselors and institutionalize holistic student support systems.

Representing UNP President Dr. Erwin Cadorna, Vice President for Finance and Administration Dr. Albert Tejero welcomed the participants and emphasized the need to prioritize support for vulnerable learners, especially the dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Ms. Marivic Clarin, Chief of the Programs and Services Division of the OWWA, lauded the effort, calling it a pioneering collaboration.

“This partnership with CHED ROI is the first of its kind in the Philippines. I’m confident it will serve as a model for other OWWA regional offices,” she said.

Dr. Al Gerald Barde, Education Supervisor II and project lead, introduced Project GROWS as a multi-pronged approach integrating mental health programs, resilience training, and career placement services.

“Our key strategy to implement our activities for Project Grows is partnership with national government agencies such as OWWA, higher education institutions like UNP, local government units, professional organizations, and private institutions such as SeeMesol.

Dr. Barde introduced the upcoming activity with SeeMeSol, a hiring solutions platform that will link students and alumni to local and international employers.
Other key activities presented include: Guidance and Counseling Act Updates & Career Guidance Activities by Mr. Arnold Ancheta; Mental Health Support Programs by Dr. Carmela Domocmat; RACE Against Suicide Campaign in partnership with UNILAB, explained by Atty. Dessa Estrada; and Universal Prevention Curriculum & ETEEAP Opportunities for OFWs by Dr. Myrelle Faith Mina

OWWA’s Education and Training Head, Dr. Amapola Villar, also detailed the agency’s scholarship and educational assistance programs, including the Education for Development Scholarship, OFW Dependent Scholarship, and Skills for Employment Scholarship, among others.

In the afternoon session, Dr. Geraldeen Pascual of Mariano Marcos State University and Dr. Marifel Quemi-Acena of UNP shared best practices in delivering guidance and counseling in their respective institutions.

The event culminated in the signing of Memoranda of Agreement and Understanding (MOA/MOU) between OWWA and 31 HEIs in Region I, and the election of the Board of Directors for the revived Region I Association of Guidance Counselors.

“As the education sector grapples with dropout challenges, CHED ROI’s Project GROWS offers a timely, collaborative response, ensuring that access to education is paired with the support necessary for student success, ” said Dr. Bose in his closing remarks.
𝘣𝘺 𝘈.𝘎. 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦
#CHEDRO1

HAPPENING NOW | In partnership with CHED ROI, the Philippine Association for Graduate Education (PAGE) Region 1 conducts the Research Convergence 2025 with theme ” Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in Research and Publication for Sustainable Graduate Education” at DMMMSU-MLUC, City of San Fernando, La Union on May 23, 2025.