𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗥𝗢𝟭, 𝗗𝗢𝗧 𝗥𝟭 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁-𝗨𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃’𝗹 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
The Commission on Higher Education Region 1 (CHED RO1) in partnership with the Department of Tourism Region 1 (DOT R1) held the provincial vetting for the Tourism Start-Up Challenge (TSC) 2025 entries on January 29, 2026, via Zoom.
The initiative aimed to encourage HEIs to develop tourism-related startup ideas that contribute to national and local development and take part with the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) among the CHED, the DOT, and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
Dr. Cherrie Melanie Ancheta-Diego, Director IV of CHED RO1, emphasized the three I’s her opening message.
“TSC teaches us innovation, which challenges creative juices, impact that hone capacity to be an entrepreneur, and inspiration that crystallizes lessons into actual output.”
She further highlighted the strong partnership between CHED RO1 and DOT R1 in advancing innovation in tourism.
Evaluators from HEIs and DOT teamed up to serve as evaluators.
Dr. Lee Jordan C. Acosta from Saint Louis College of La Union, Dr. Eva Jean Y. Viernes from the Mariano Marcos State University, Dr. Marjorie R. Dafun from the University of Northern Philippines, and Dr. Aaron Marc M. Lopez from Lyceum-Northwestern University composed the evaluators from the HEIs.
Meanwhile, DOT R1 invited Ms. Maria Luisa A. Elduayan from the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, Ms. Michella A. Adolfo from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur, Mr. Minoru C. Fujihara from the Provincial Government of La Union, and Mr. Aian Raquel from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte.
A total of 12 entries were presented during the activity, representing different provinces in Region I – three entries from Ilocos Norte, one from Ilocos Sur, three from La Union, and five from Pangasinan.
Dr. Al Gerald Barde, Education Supervisor II, mentioned that the event showcased proposals which reflected the ingenuity of students and educators in addressing tourism challenges while promoting local culture, community engagement, and sustainable tourism development.
by: UNP Interns
