HAPPENING NOW | CHED RO1, represented by Mr. Ricky Fev Chan, attends the 39th Coconut Week Celebration with the theme, “Niyog: Ginto sa Kabukiran, Hatid ay Kabuhayan, at Sandigan sa Kaunlaran ng Bayan”, at Pangasinan Training and Development 2, Capitol, Lingayen, Pangasinan on August 28, 2025.

HAPPENING NOW | Day 2 of the Reconciliation Activity on the UAQTE Budget for Continuing FY 2024 – Current 2025 attended by the UniFAST Lead Regional Coordinators and UniFAST Regional Accountants in Angeles, Pampanga on August 27, 2025

𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗢𝗪 | CHED RO1, represented by Ms. Charlyn Nudas, attends the first day of the Mid-Year Assessment of the CY 2025 Implementation of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) Program at Ynad’s Place Hotel and Resort Inc., City of San Fernando, La Union from August 26 to 29, 2025.

To further strengthen government procurement processes, CHED Regional Office I personnel—Mrs. Nympha N. Buenio (BAC Chair), Ms. Evelyn C. Adquilen (BAC Member), Ms. Ma. Andrea Quitalig (BAC Secretariat), and Ms. Janelle Ann D. Petacio (TWG)—participated in the Training on the New Government Procurement Act (RA 12009) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) at Seda Vertis North Hotel, Quezon City on August 18–20, 2025.
The three-day activity was organized by the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) and CHED Central Office which introduced the key provisions and reforms under RA 12009 and its IRR.
Resource speakers shared insights on strategic procurement planning, modernized procurement processes, PhilGEPS features, new modes of procurement, and enhanced evaluation criteria to ensure efficiency, value for money, and transparency in government transactions.
Participants also learned about the PhilGEPS platform and its upgraded functions, such as the electronic bulletin board, virtual store, e-marketplace, and electronic bidding.
Further, emphasis was given on mandatory market scoping, video recording, and livestreaming of procurement activities, as well as the expanded use of PhilGEPS for procuring common-use supplies and equipment, airline tickets, and vehicles.
𝘣𝘺 𝘑. 𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘰

The University of Northern Philippines (UNP), in partnership with CHED Regional Office I and Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), hosted the 8th Regional Research Congress last August 14-15 at the UNP Tadena Hall, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
Dir. Rosario Segundina P. Gaerlan, Regional Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Regional Office 1, served as the keynote speaker of the two-day research congress.
Anchored on the theme “Connected Minds, Collective Impact: Advancing Knowledge and Innovation for a Sustainable Future”, the congress brought together researchers and innovators form different disciplines who shared their outputs.
More than 180 research papers were presented in parallel sessions along six clusters, Administration and Supervision, Teaching and Learning, Social Science, Health, Environment and Natural Product Development, and Business, Technology and Industry.
Engr. Leonora F. Quarte, Education Supervisor II of CHED ROI, served as evaluator of the research papers along Administration and Supervision, as well as in the selection of the Best Paper in all the categories.
The University of Research and Development Office (URDO) of UNP, under the guidance Dr. Edelyn Cadorna, spearheaded the said research congress.
𝘣𝘺 𝘓. 𝘘𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦
📸: University of Northern Philippines

HAPPENING NOW: CHED RO1 participates in the 3rd Quarter Philippine Youth Development Plan Regional Inter-agency Committee (PYDP-RIAC) Meeting at ICT Training Center, 3F Pboss Building, San Fernando City, La Union on August 15, 2025.

𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗢𝗪 | Mr. Albert Subang, CHED ROI Education Supervisor II, participates in the Department of Information and Communications Technology Region 1 Data Center Launching at Ilocos Norte Capitol, Laoag City on August 14, 2025.

HAPPENING NOW | CHED RO1 Director Christine Nabor-Ferrer discusses the role of Higher Education Institutions in advancing functional literacy during the 2025 Dagyaw Open Government Town Hall Meeting, with the theme “Sama-samang Hakbang Tungo sa Mataas na Antas ng Literasiyang Rehiyon Uno,” at Sison Auditorium, Lingayen, Pangasinan, on August 12, 2025.

To align the projects, plans, and activities for internationalization with the ACHIEVE agenda of Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis, the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 1, cohosted the CHED International Affairs Service’s IZN Speakers’ Bureau and Planning Session at The Monarch Hotel, Calasiao, Pangasinan, from July 15 to 17, 2025.
The three-day event gathered CHED Regional Directors and Internationalization (IZN) focal persons to strengthen collaboration and align regional efforts with the Philippine Internationalization Roadmap.
Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director IV of CHED RO1, welcomed the participants and guests, setting the tone for a productive and meaningful session.
The program featured key presentations such as “Framing CHED’s Internationalization: Where Are We Headed?” and “Understanding CHED’s IZN Roadmap” by Atty. Lily Freida Macabangun-Milla, International Affairs Service Director.
Atty. Milla highlighted the 30-year strategic development of CHED’s internationalization goals and introduced systems such as MARA, MAHIQA, and ITAP to promote the use of artificial intelligence and enhance internal processes.
CHED Regional Office IZN Focal Persons also delivered presentations highlighting their respective initiatives and activities that promote internationalization in higher education, showcasing their best practices, collaborative programs, and strategies aimed at strengthening global linkages and enhancing the international profile of Philippine higher education institutions.
A special session was delivered by Dr. Roger Y. Chao Jr., Honorary Distinguished Professor at Kyungwoon University in South Korea, who spoke on how the Philippines can be positioned in the ASEAN and global IZN landscape.
Dr. Chao emphasized the ASEAN 2045 vision as resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered, emphasizing inclusive and transformative education, the development of a highly skilled workforce, and the importance of a shared ASEAN identity that is responsive to both local and global challenges.
The event also featured engagements with international partners and embassy representatives, adding valuable insight into international cooperation.
Among the guests were Mr. Norjufri Nizar Edrus, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Malaysian Embassy; Ms. Nina Yulianti, Education and Culture Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy; Ms. Kimberley A. Cuesta, Business Development Manager of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade); Ms. Thelma Gecolea, Public Affairs Officer of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines; Ms. Angel Cachuela, Trade Commissioner from the Canadian Embassy; Mr. George Mesthos, Deputy Director for Public Engagement from the U.S. Embassy in Manila; and Ms. Christine Catindig, Professional Exchanges Specialist from the U.S. Embassy in Manila.
Another highlight of the session was the group presentations by CHED IAS and IZN focal persons, showcasing programs, projects, and initiatives that support the IZN Roadmap. These collaborative outputs are vital to positioning Philippine higher education institutions as competitive, future-ready, and globally recognized.
The planning session concluded with a presentation of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) SDG Dashboard by Dr. Saturnina Nisperos and Dr. Mee Jay Domingo. The dashboard assessed the performance of internationally ranked Philippine institutions in terms of their contributions toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
𝘣𝘺 𝘑. 𝘉𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘻
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