By: Delaila Irma T. Calindas, Project Technical Staff II

During his visit to the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in Benguet on April 21, 2024, CHED Chairperson J. Prospero “Popoy” De Vera III participated in Project SAGIP (Scholars and Grant Beneficiaries’ Action in Greening Initiatives Program), a project initiated by CHED-CAR Regional Director Dr. Demetrio P. Anduyan Jr. Chair Popoy planted a pine tree seedling at Benguet State University’s Main Campus in La Trinidad, accompanied by Dir. Anduyan and BSU President Dr. Felipe S. Comila.

Project SAGIP was launched last May 18, 2021, during the 27th Founding Anniversary of the Commission. Its primary objective is to enjoin the beneficiaries of various scholarship and grants-in-aid programs to be part of and contribute to an environmental program that could mitigate Climate Change. Particularly, scholars and grantees are required to plant at least one fruit-bearing tree and one indigenous tree every Academic Year, in their locality or in an area identified by their Higher Education Institution. 

After his Project SAGIP encounter, Chair Popoy graced the inauguration of BSU’s smart library facilities and engineering laboratories funded under the Higher Educational Development Fund (HEDF) through the Institutional Development and Innovation Grant (IDIG) Program of the Commission.

Despite his hectic schedule for the day, Chair Popoy had the opportunity to visit one of the tourist attractions of Benguet, the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm.