The local government unit (LGU) of Bacnotan representatives visited the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 1 (CHED RO1) to explore the possibility of establishing a local college on January 27, 2025.
Dr. Sol T. Jomaya, Education Consultant, presented the intent of LGU Bacnotan and its education plans to Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, CHED RO1 Director IV.
To further discuss the CHED policies, guidelines, and standards on the establishment of an LUC and engage with the municipal officials and stakeholders, the two parties agreed on a scheduled meeting in Bacnotan.

Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director IV of CHED Regional Office 1 emphasized the function of benchmarking in enhancing educational quality during the plenary session on Raising the Bar: Benchmarking as a Pathway to Educational Quality via Zoom, on January 25, 2025.
Dr. Ferrer discussed various types of benchmarking, data sources, addressed the connection between benchmarking, quality assurance and internationalization, and its impact on international ranking metrics.
Furthermore, she provided an overview of the benchmarking activities conducted by CHED ROI and various higher education institutions (HEIs) in the region.
The event was organized by the College of Education of Tarlac Agricultural University, Centro Escolar University, Pangasinan State University, and the Philippine Society for Quality.

The CHED Regional Office I distributed stipends to 716 Tulong Dunong Program (TDP) grantees on January 24, 2025 at Northern Christian College (NCC) in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
The said event, funded under the initiative of Hon. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, reinforced the government’s commitment to making higher education accessible and equitable for deserving students.
The Commission released a total amount of ₱5,370,000.00, in the said institution for Data Center College of the Philippines and NCC TDP grantees with each of them receiving ₱7,500 per semester.
The said stipends covered the 2nd Semester of SY 2023-2024, enabling students to focus on their academic endeavors without the financial burden.
Dr. Lucris Carina Agnir-Paraan, President of Northern Christian College, extended a warm welcome to the grantees and to the staff from the Office of Hon. Marcos.
She emphasized the pivotal role of education in shaping their future and contributing to nation-building.

The CHED RO1 distributed stipends to 384 Tulong Dunong Program (TDP) grantees on January 24, 2025, at Northwestern University in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Funded under the TDP initiative of Honorable Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, student-grantees were able to claim their stipends amounting to 7,500.00 for each semester.
The Commission released a total of Php 2,865,000.00, which covered the stipends for the 2nd Semester of SY 2023-2024 to grantees from various municipalities of the 1st District of Ilocos Norte.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Regional Office 1 prepares to conduct the 2025 Sustainability Forum: Getting Ready for Environmental Efficiency in the North (GREEN) in partnership with the SM City Urdaneta Central, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan in an online meeting on January 15, 2025.

Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director IV of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 1 (CHED ROI) discussed strategies to advancing outcomes-based education and institutional opportunities during the in-service training program (INSET) of Union Christian College (UCC) on January 15, 2025.
Dr. Ferrer shared how accreditation and international rankings contribute in advancing outcomes-based education and institutional opportunities. She highlighted how accreditation serves as a quality assurance mechanism that ensures educational institutions meet and maintain high academic standards.
Furthermore, she elaborated on how international rankings provide benchmarks that drive institutions toward global competitiveness.
Dr. Mitchellene Rivo, Education Supervisor II also shared her expertise as discussed topics on Sustaining Institutional Impact through Professionalism in the Workplace, and Service-learning as an Academic Program Framework.
The INSET program at UCC serves as a platform for faculty and administrators to enhance their pedagogical approaches, and align academic practices with national and international standards.

The Pangasinan State University (PSU) – Binmaley Campus received the Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) for its Bachelor of Science in Fisheries program at the CHED ROI Office, Sevilla, San Fernando City, La Union on January 10, 2025.

The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office I (CHEDRO I) successfully conducted the Tulong Dunong Program (TDP) Distribution of Stipends on January 9, 2025, at Northern Christian College in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. The event provided financial assistance to 387 grantees funded under the TDP initiative of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Tesoro Go, demonstrating the government’s commitment to enhancing access to education for deserving students.

IROC 1 officers take oath of office, conduct first meeting To set the goals and targets for improving the internationalization programs and initiatives of the region, the International Relations Officers Council (IROC) 1 conducted its first council meeting to discuss plans for 2025. Dr. Christine N. Ferrer, Director IV of CHED Regional Office 1, opened the continue reading : IROC 1 officers take oath of office, conduct first meeting