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

As part of its continuing advocacy and promotions campaign, CHED-UniFAST CAR engaged with media partners to further promote awareness and understanding of the programs under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA).

On August 28, 2025, CHED-UniFAST CAR Regional Coordinators Marife Calimodag, Jennylyn Pataras, and Ana Grace Salibad participated in the Government Online segment of Radyo Pilipinas Bontoc. The one-hour program serves as a platform to highlight government services accessible to the public, and in this session, the coordinators discussed the range of financial assistance programs available to higher education students.

On the same day, Usapang PIA, a regular program of the Philippine Information Agency–CAR, featured the UAQTEA program with Regional Coordinators Delaila Irma Calindas and Jurcell Dilla as guest resource persons.

Across both segments, the Regional Coordinators presented an overview and status of the UAQTEA’s flagship programs: the Free Higher Education (FHE), Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), and Tulong Dunong Program (TDP). In addition, they shared innovative regional initiatives unique to CHED-UniFAST CAR, such as Project SAGIP (Scholars and Grant-in-Aid Beneficiaries Action in Greening Initiative Program), which promotes environmental responsibility and sustainable practices among student-grantees, and Project MARITES (Mobilizing Available Resources through Inclusive Training on Entrepreneurship of Student-Grantees), a joint undertaking with the Department of Trade and Industry–CAR (DTI-CAR) designed to build entrepreneurial competencies among beneficiaries.

These engagements with the media underscore CHED-UniFAST CAR’s proactive approach to widening the dissemination of information about UniFAST, its mandate, and its programs. By bringing the conversation to mainstream platforms, the Regional Office ensures that more students, families, and stakeholders gain accurate information about the opportunities made available under Republic Act No. 10931.

At present, CHED-UniFAST CAR sustains three (3) active partnerships with local radio stations for the regular airing of UAQTEA Time, a dedicated segment that serves as a channel for promoting higher education opportunities and sharing updates on UniFAST initiatives in the Cordillera.