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

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson J. Prospero “Popoy” De Vera III graced the YEP-Project MARITES 2024 Regional Business Pitch Competition, held on October 17, 2024, at Paragon Hotel, Baguio City, where he delivered an inspiring message about the transformative impact of Free Higher Education (FHE) and the importance of equipping students with the skills needed for nation-building.

Addressing the 12 young finalists from various provinces in the Cordillera region, Chair Popoy highlighted how the Free Higher Education Program under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA) has empowered students to focus on academic and entrepreneurial endeavors without the financial burden that often hampers educational pursuits. He emphasized that through FHE, the government is not only ensuring access to education but also capacitating young Filipinos to develop competencies that will contribute to the nation’s progress.

“I’m happy to report that Free Higher Education now benefits more than two million young Filipinos, with about 700,000 receiving the Tertiary Education Subsidy and Tulong Dunong grants. We have done what is considered impossible before free higher education. So the message that you can dream and you can persevere to finish your university education is now a reality for many Filipinos.” Chair Popoy said.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) – Project Mobilizing Available Resources through Inclusive Training on Entrepreneurship of Student-Grantees (MARITES), a joint initiative between the Department of Trade and Industry – Cordillera Administrative Region (DTI-CAR) and the Commission on Higher Education – Cordillera Administrative Region (CHED-CAR), aims to nurture entrepreneurial skills among the youth in the region.

Chair Popoy praised the project for its success in helping students explore entrepreneurship as a viable path post-graduation. He noted that the initiative is an excellent example of how education and skill development can be seamlessly integrated, and he encouraged other regions to adopt similar programs.

“I am happy with this project, working with students while they are still in school, to get them interested in developing their skills and competencies,” he said. “So I guess the message for the other regions to copy this project. We already have a system in place. We can do a lot to help our students before they graduate, rather than waiting until they face employment challenges. This is part of the equity and inclusiveness direction we are pursuing under the Marcos administration.”

His visit and message provided a significant boost to the competition’s finalists, reminding them of the broader purpose of their entrepreneurial journey: to become leaders and contributors to their communities and the country’s future.