San Fernando City, La Union – The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 1 (CHED RO1) conducted a monitoring visit at CICOSAT Colleges, Inc. to assess the compliance of its Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) program with CHED Memorandum Order No. 15, series of 2019 on February 22, 2025.
CICOSAT Colleges has already produced thousands of graduates in criminology and forensic science. MSCJ is among its key offerings aimed at addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in the field.
“We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality education, and this monitoring visit underscores our efforts to ensure that our programs meet CHED’s established criteria,” said Dr. Norma Maria P. Rutab, Vice President for Academic Affairs of CICOSAT Colleges.
Dr. Rutab also mentioned that the college is preparing for the upcoming Level III accreditation of its Bachelor of Science in Criminology by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Committee on Accreditation (PACUCOA), set for April 2025.
Aside from Dr. Rutab, Dr. Dylan L. Liberato, Dean for the Graduate Program, and Dr. Percydel Galang, Program Chair, assisted Dr. Myrelle Faith D. Mina and Atty. Dessa U. Estrada, Education Supervisors from CHED RO1, during the visit.
CICOSAT Colleges is expected to submit a feedback report addressing the noted observations by June 30, 2025.
𝘣𝘺 𝘋. 𝘌𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘢

The Sports Development and Management Unit (TSDP) under the Office of the Executive Director (OED) hosted an Online Orientation for the Community Sports and Wellness Grant, via Zoom Platform on February 26, 2025.
Dr. Al Gerald Barde, Education Supervisor II, Focal Person for Sports, and Mr.Cholo D. Escobar, Regional Sports Coordinator, attended the orientation together with the different Sports Directors/Coordinators in the region:
1. Dr. Paulo Jan F. Samson – Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
2. Dr. Ryan Dean Sucgang – Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
3. Ms. Arlene B. Kon-ek – Pangasinan State University
4. Mr. Joel Arruejo – University of Northern Philippines
5. Ms. Erna Cabañero – Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College
Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro discussed the History of the Community Sports and Wellness Grant emphasizing CHED’s efforts on sports tourism and the improvement of sports facilities of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the country by submitting quality Sports Proposals.
Coach Ana Dulce B. Yango, PTS III, delved into a detailed explanation of the CHED Memorandum Order No. 26, Series of 2021 also known as the Community Sports and Wellness Grant including the Objectives, Mandate, Legal Foundation.
The grant focuses not only on enhancing sports facilities but also on supporting programs developed by the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).
These programs may include athletic training, community events, wellness initiatives, and leadership development, aiming to create a lasting impact beyond just infrastructure improvements. This ensures a holistic approach, fostering both physical activity and community engagement.
𝘣𝘺 𝘊. 𝘌𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘳
#CHEDRO1

Orientation, Distribution of Notice of Awards & Signing of Scholarship Contracts of New Medical Technologists and Pharmacists Scholars (MTP-SP) for SY 2024-2025 at the Urdaneta City University on February 26, 2025
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Kaisa ang Komisyon sa Mas Mataas na Edukasyon Rehiyon Uno sa paggunita ng ika-39 na anibersaryo ng EDSA People Power Revolution.
Ang EDSA ay hindi lamang pag-alala ng tagumpay, kundi isang paalala ng patuloy na laban para sa tunay na kalayaan.
Ang ‘People Power’ ay hindi isang magarbong pagdiriwang ng nakaraan, bagkus isang patuloy na pagninilay sa ating tungkulin bilang mga mamamayan — ang magtulungan, magpursige, at lumaban para sa tamang pagbabago.
𝘓𝘢𝘨𝘪’𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘪 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘺 𝘯𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘺𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘬𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘺𝘢.
#CHEDRO1

With the PIA Ilocos Region and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Region 1 as training providers, the Project WRITES (Writing Responsibly Through Information Sessions, Training, and Engagement with Stakeholders) series continues to capacitate CHED Regional Office 1 Social Media (SocMed) Team in effective social media management.
During the project’s second leg, Mr. Chester Carlo M. Trinidad, Information Office III of the PIA La Union, led the discussion on feature writing on February 17, 2025,
He emphasized the importance of crafting fact-based, government-focused feature stories and stressed the need for rapport-building during interviews to create effective and impactful feature articles.
Additionally, the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) Strategic Communications Team shared their best practices in branding, information management, social media management, and graphic design via Zoom.
For the third leg of Project WRITES, the DICT Region 1 shared tips and strategies for layout and page design.
Mr. Gerald Victor M. Calamaan, Technical Division Chief of DICT RO1 graced the event by sharing the agency’s programs and services to provide accessible information and technological assistance.
Ms. Mary Ann L. Campaner, Project Development Officer, delved into the key elements of a publication, including content organization, layout, and visual appeal.
She also provided a hands-on demonstration, showing the participants practical techniques for creating an effective publication design.
“Page designers can create layouts that are not only visually appealing but also functional and effective in communicating the intended message,” Ms. Campaner said.
The participants also presented their outputs, applying the techniques learned during the training session.
For the last two parts of the project, the SocMed team will learn photojournalism techniques on March 3 and video editing basics on March 10.
𝘣𝘺 𝘒.𝘑. 𝘝𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘰
#CHEDRO1

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!

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.
𝘣𝘺 𝘔.𝘊. 𝘋𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘤𝘮𝘢𝘵
#CHEDRO1

San Juan, La Union – 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 year’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.
“I 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,” said Dr. Barde.
Keynote speaker Mr. Marc Teomar Bautista, Information Officer of the Local Government of Bacnotan, expounded on this year’s theme, “PRESS PLAY: Campus Journalists as Game Changers in the Digital Revolution,” 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.
𝘣𝘺 𝘈.𝘎. 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦
#CHEDRO1

The SDG Accord is a global initiative that encourages HEIs to contribute to the United Nations’ 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