𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗢𝗪 | The CHED RO1 Quality Management Systems Core Team attends the ISO 9001:2015 Foundation Course at the 3rd Floor Conference Room, CHED Regional Office I, City of San Fernando, La Union, April 28, 2025.

In support of promoting lifelong learning, the CHED Regional Office 1 (CHED ROI), along with various higher education institutions in Region 1, participated in the Public Orientation on CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 1, series of 2025, at Best Western Plus Metro Clark, Pampanga, on April 25, 2025.

CMO 1, s. 2025, also known as the “Guidelines for Micro-credential Development, Approval and Recognition in Higher Education,” outlines the national framework for developing and recognizing micro-credentials in the Philippine higher education system.

Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director IV and Dr. Al Gerald S. Barde, Education Supervisor II of CHED ROI joined the said orientation along with 16 HEIs in the region.

The orientation was led by the Technical Working Group (TWG), chaired by CHED Commissioner Dr. Ethel Agnes Valenzuela, discussed the key components of the guidelines, including scope and coverage, principles, delivery methods, framework, and essential elements of micro-credentials.

The TWG members present were Dr. Angelica Cortez, Dr. Greg Pawilen, Ms. Irene Isaac, Prof. Rolando Talampas, Dr. Reynaldo Vea, and Dr. Trixie Marie Sison, all contributing their expertise to the formulation of the guidelines.

Dr. Cherrie Melanie Ancheta-Diego, Director IV of the Office of Programs and Standards Development (OPSD), provided the rationale and objectives of the orientation.

Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro, CHED Executive Director, emphasized the four guiding principles of micro-credential development: lifelong learning, portability, balance, and quality assurance in her closing remarks.

The following HEIs in the region joined the said orientation:

San Carlos College
Panpacific University
Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation
University of Eastern Pangasinan
Perpetual Help College of the Philippines
Mariano Marcos State University
Saint Louis College
Universidad de Dagupan
Northwestern University
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
Lyceum-Northwestern University
Binalatongan Community College
Pangasinan Merchant Marine Academy
The Great Plebeian College
Bayambang Polytechnic College
Divine Word College of Laoag

The Police Community Academy 2.0, a bold initiative under the theme “Peace Education, Crime Prevention Education, and Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategies” brought together student leaders, educators, and law enforcement agencies in a united front for police and community partnership on April 10–11, 2025, at the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) in Parian, San Fernando City.
Structured through the dynamic convergence of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 1 (CHED RO1), Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1), and the Professional Criminologist Association of the Philippines and Council of Criminal Justice Educators – Region 1 (CCJERO1), the event provided a forum to empower the next generation of criminologists as peace makers and educators, leaders, and values-driven civic actors.
The activity sought to enhance leadership, decision-making, and crisis management capabilities, support the execution of Higher Education Institutions’ Philippine Anti- Illegal Drugs Strategies (PADS) programs and projects; encourage a holistic and community-oriented approach in addressing illegal drugs and criminality; enhance peace education and civic responsibility in public safety and community service, and enhance institutional partnerships among the PNP, CHED RO1, PCAP1, CCJERO1, and Region 1 academic institutions.
Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director IV of CHED ROI lauded the initiative as a groundbreaking model of academe-government synergy.
“This collaboration exemplifies our vision of producing holistically developed learners—student leaders who are driven by purpose and a deep sense of social responsibility. CHED fully supports the integration of peace education, crime prevention, and anti-illegal drugs strategies into the higher education landscape,” Dr. Ferrer said.
Participants engaged in lectures on leadership and patriotism ethics and moral values; handcuffing, proper handling of arrest, and stop-and-frisk and search-and seizure- exercise; and crisis management.
Other government agencies also participated in the lecture including the Commission on Population Development on Teenage Pregnancy; the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Regional Office 1 (NICA RO1) on Anti-Terrorism, Human Rights, and Social Change; Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-RO 1 on Drug Prevention, Education, and Awareness Campaign.
Recruitment processes on PNP, BJMP, BFP, PCG, and PAF were also discussed. A simple retreat on Mental and Health Wellness, Strengthening Inner Resilience, was also officiated by Dr. Maria Bryce.
The Regional Mobile Force Battalion 1 also showcased a demonstration on Civil Disturbance Management (CDM), Close Quarter Battle (CQB), and Immediate Action Drill (IAD) prior the closing ceremony.
The event brought together 354 Criminology students and 67 faculty members, as well as the regional officers from CCJERO1 and the PCAP1, representing 29 HEIs in the region.
𝘣𝘺 𝘔.𝘍. 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘢

For the second time, the CHED Regional Office 1 partnered with SeeMeSOL, a hiring solution that collaborates with HEIs to enhance their career services and employability programs, for a virtual information session titled ‘Beyond the Diploma: Education-to-Employment Pathways,’ via Zoom on April 15, 2025.
Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director IV of CHED RO1, welcomed the participants and highlighted how CHED RO1’s initiative under Project CHANGE (CHED RO1 and Higher Education Institutions Acquiring Networks for Global Engagement) calls for innovation in helping students and graduates acquire employment.
“If Project CHANGE stands for anything, it is this — real change in education is not about doing more of the same. It is about rethinking the ends we serve, the means we employ, and the futures we build together,” Dr. Ferrer said.
Ms. Angel Dastjerdi, Head of Business Development at SeeMeSOL, oriented the participants about the services they offer, specifically in integrating Alumni Tracer Study, Career Talks and Industry Linkages, Student Preparation and Video CV, AI Mock Interviews, English Language Assessment, and Virtual/Hybrid Job Fairs into HEIs’ career portals.
Mr. David Padgett, CEO and President of SeeMeSOL, also graced the event and delivered the closing remarks.
Currently, the region has 12 HEIs that have partnered with SeeMeSOL, and CHED RO1 envisions adding more HEIs to partner with SeeMeSOL and launch their career portals before the school year ends.
The info session was attended by various HEI Vice Presidents, Alumni Officers, Guidance Counselors, International Relations Officers, Student Affairs and Services Directors, and other administrators from various HEIs in the region.

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) led the list of Top-Performing Schools with 50 or more examinees in the April 2025 Pharmacists Licensure Examination (PLE), with an institutional passing rate of 91.38%.
Out of 58 examinees from MMSU, 53 successfully passed the licensure exam, securing the university’s place at the top of the national rankings. The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) recorded a national passing rate of 60.30%.
From your CHED RO1 family, congratulations!

CHED Regional Office I (CHED RO1) convened Region I International Relations Officers (IROs) for its First Virtual Internationalization Meeting for FY 2025 via Zoom on April 11, 2025.
The meeting aimed to align CHED RO1’s internationalization-related activities, programs, and projects with higher education institutions (HEIs) and to streamline internationalization processes across the region.
Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director IV of CHED RO1 addressed various concerns raised by IROs, particularly on foreign travels and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) assessments.
Ms. Ailene Flores, Project Technical Staff III, re-oriented the IROs on the process flow of the Guidelines for Securing Authority to Travel Abroad for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and the CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 1, Series of 2000, or the Policies and Guidelines in the Implementation of International Linkages and Twinning Programs. Ms. Flores also introduced CMO No. 3, Series of 2025, or the Updated Guidelines for Securing Authority to Travel Abroad for SUCs.
Dr. Al Gerald S. Barde, Education Supervisor II of CHED RO1, reminded the IROs regarding the registration of HEI linkages in CHED Internation Affairs Service database.
Furthermore, Mr. Arnold V. Ancheta, Education Supervisor II of CHED RO1, discussed the documentary requirements and process flow for CMO No. 26, Series of 2015, or the Policies and Procedures on International Educational Trips (IET) for Undergraduate and Graduate Students.
Dr. Sally Jarin, IRO of the University of Northern Philippines and Vice President for SUCs of the International Relations Officers Council (IROC) 1, reported that the council is nearing completion of its SEC registration application.
CHED RO1 also presented its upcoming internationalization-related projects and activities for the year, which are primarily dedicated to enhancing the internationalization visibility and performance of HEIs.
#CHEDRO1

Ms. Althea Joy G. Tabula of Mariano Marcos State University ranked 3rd in the April 2025 Electronics Technicians Licensure Examination.
Ms. Tabula garnered a 93.00% passing rate in the said board examination.
The CHED Regional Office 1 family extends its warmest congratulations to the successful passers. May their achievements inspire future board takers!
#CHEDRO1

The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office I (CHED ROI) held the much-anticipated kaPADyak Conference 2025 with the theme “Beyond Boundaries: Collaborative Approaches for Drug Prevention in Higher Education” at the EM Royalle Hotel and Beach Resort on April 3, 2025.
Anchored on the collaborative efforts of Kabataan, at Pamantasan, the conference brought together key stakeholders from higher education institutions (HEIs), national government agencies, and student leaders across Region 1 to strengthen preventive measures against drug abuse and crime in academic communities.
Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director IV of CHED ROI, articulated the objectives of the conference, emphasizing the vital role of youth empowerment and institutional collaboration in addressing drug-related issues, and reaffirmed CHED’s commitment to good health and well-being, ensuring that HEIs proactively foster safe and healthy communities.
Director Corinna Frances Cabanilla, Director IV of CHED Office of Student Development and Services (OSDS), graced the activity as the Guest of Honor and Speaker and discussed the national strategies reinforced in building a safe and drug-free campus through sustainable programs and policy frameworks.
“We are a team, and we continue to remain as a committed team that recognizes the strength and success of each member towards achieving our collective goal to have a drug-free community for all and for future generations to come,” said Dir. Cabanilla.
The activity also recognized the 2024 PADS Regional Winners for the PADS Innovative Awards namely: Saint John Bosco College of Northern Luzon (SJBCNL), University of Northern Philippines (UNP), and Universidad De Dagupan (UDD), along with KaPADyak Student Leaders, kaPADyak Advocacy Campaign Winners, AMA La Union and Colegio San Juan De Letran, Manaoag, Life Skills Training facilitators and partners.
Ms. Cynthia Q. Hernandez of CHED OSDS presented the Implementation of Drug-Free Campus Policies, and Dr. Myrelle Faith D. Mina, Education Supervisor II of CHED RO1 talked about the Integration of Anti-Drug Abuse Programs in Student Services.
Atty. Howard Chan of Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) RO1 reminded the agency’s mandates on free access to courts, judicial and quasi-judicial agencies, by rendering legal services, counseling, and assistance to the participants.
Ms. Maria Luisa O. Perez, RPsy, RPm, Psychologist II of Region 1 Medical Center, shared Awareness on Mental health and Mental Coping capabilities with the participants.
Dr. Myrelle Faith D. Mina, Education Supervisor II, commended the attendees for their continued support in fostering a safer, drug-free educational environment.
𝘣𝘺 𝘔.𝘍. 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘢
#CHEDRO1

Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director IV, and Mr. Arnold V. Ancheta, Education Supervisor II and focal person for Student Affairs and Services (SAS) of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 1 (CHED RO1), attended the two-day Workshop/Write Shop on the Revision of CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 09, s. 2013, titled “Policies and Guidelines on Student Affairs and Services (SAS),” held at Twin Lakes, Laurel, Batangas, on March 19-20, 2025.

The event gathered experts in student affairs and services, including representatives from the Philippine Association of Practitioners of Student Affairs and Services, Inc. (PAPSAS) and the Philippine Guidance Counselors Association, along with government agencies such as the Department of Health, National Commission for Indigenous Peoples, National Council on Disability Affairs, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Also in attendance were SAS focal persons from higher education institutions (HEIs) and CHED Regional Directors and Education Supervisors from Regions 4, 5, and the National Capital Region (NCR), who serve as frontliners in implementing and monitoring SAS programs at the regional level.

CMO No. 09, s. 2013, was issued under the administration of former CHED Chair Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan, succeeding CMO No. 21, s. 2006, released by Dr. Carlito S. Puno. The most recent update, CMO No. 8, s. 2021, was issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide guidelines on the flexible delivery of SAS programs. The ongoing revision seeks to incorporate both face-to-face and online modalities while aligning SAS policies with new laws and emerging student needs.

Participants were grouped to assess and propose revisions to specific provisions of the CMO. Proposed changes underwent thorough review and evaluation through multiple rounds of discussion, with final provisions refined under the guidance of the CHED Office of Student Development and Services (OSDS) Director. The workshop also produced a proposed monitoring and evaluation tool for HEIs to use as documentation in compliance with SAS standards.

The revised guidelines aim to enhance student support services and ensure their relevance in the evolving educational landscape.

𝘣𝘺 𝘈. 𝘈𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘢