March 3, 2026

Listening, Learning, Leading: CHED-CAR Unites HEIs for 2026 Strategic Directions

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

The Commission on Higher Education–Cordillera Administrative Region (CHED-CAR) successfully convened its first region-wide assembly of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for 2026 on February 27 at Saint Louis University, gathering university presidents, academic leaders, and partner agencies under the theme “Listening, Learning, Leading: Advancing Collaboration with HEIs in the Cordillera.”

The event served as a strategic platform to articulate CHED’s A.C.H.I.E.V.E. and CHED-CAR’s priority programs and policy directions for 2026 and beyond, reinforcing its commitment to collaborative governance and institutional alignment across the region’s higher education sector.

Marking 100 Days of Leadership

A key highlight of the gathering was the commemoration of the first 100 days in office of CHED-CAR Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Dr. Serafin L. Ngohayon, who assumed leadership on November 17, 2025. In his keynote address, Dr. Ngohayon outlined the milestones achieved during his initial months, anchored on four major priorities: organizational restructuring, advocacy of the national A.C.H.I.E.V.E. agenda, alignment of regional initiatives with national reforms, and strengthened synergy with HEIs and regional partners.

He also introduced the CHAMPS Framework, a strategic roadmap guiding the Regional Office’s vision for higher education development in the Cordillera. The framework emphasizes:

  • Capacity Building and Service Excellence;
  • Harnessing CHED’s A.C.H.I.E.V.E. Agenda;
  • Alignment of HEIs’ Development Directions;
  • Modernization and Development Thrusts;
  • Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement; and
  • Student-Centered Support.

According to Dr. Ngohayon, the framework represents CHED-CAR’s firm commitment to advancing excellence, innovation, and inclusivity in the region’s higher education institutions.

Institutional Partnerships and Inter-Agency Collaboration Beyond reflection and planning, the assembly served as a platform for institutional convergence and partnership-building. Participating HEIs expressed their support for CHED-CAR’s reform agenda, affirming a collective commitment to shared governance and academic excellence. A major highlight of the event was the ceremonial signing of memoranda of agreement and understanding with key regional line agencies, exemplifying a whole-of-government approach to higher education development. Among the initiatives formalized during the event were several key collaborative programs aimed at empowering students, promoting innovation, and supporting sustainable development in the Cordillera region:
  • Project ACCESS (Acquainting In-Coming College Entrants on Scholarships and Grants-in-Aid System), implemented in partnership with the Department of Education – Cordillera Administrative Region, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – Cordillera Administrative Region, and Department of Labor and Employment – Cordillera Administrative Region, which aims to strengthen school partnerships, provide career guidance, and expand student financial assistance awareness;
  • Project SAGIP (Scholars’ Action in Greening Initiatives Program), conducted with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Cordillera Administrative Region and Department of Labor and Employment – Cordillera Administrative Region, which engages student scholars in environmental conservation initiatives;
  • The Implementation of the Adolescent Health and Development Program, pursuant to Executive Order No. 141, s. 2021, in collaboration with the Commission on Population and Development – Cordillera Administrative Region, aimed at promoting youth health and well-being;
  • CORDI-INSPIRE (Cordillera Innovation and Startup Platform for Inclusive Regional Empowerment), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology – Cordillera Administrative Region, designed to strengthen the region’s innovation and startup ecosystem; and
  • Collaboration with CAR State Universities and Colleges in implementing the BAMBOO Project, a joint effort which focuses on environmental conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods through bamboo cultivation, processing, and the development of marketable bamboo products.

These initiatives collectively address student welfare, environmental sustainability, workforce readiness, research and development, and community resilience.

Recognizing Academic Excellence

The event also recognized HEIs that demonstrated exemplary performance in recent licensure examinations, particularly institutions that ranked as top-performing schools and those that produced topnotchers. The recognition reaffirmed CHED-CAR’s continued emphasis on quality assurance and academic excellence as benchmarks of institutional performance.

Program Updates and Forward Directions

Updates on key programs for Fiscal Year 2026 were likewise presented, including the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program, Project PEPA, and Project CHRONOS. These initiatives aim to expand scholarship opportunities, enhance policy implementation, and modernize higher education data systems to ensure more efficient and responsive service delivery.

Through this region-wide assembly, CHED-CAR reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a future-ready, learner-centered higher education system in the Cordillera. By strengthening partnerships, aligning institutional directions, and prioritizing student support, the Regional Office continues to position higher education as a transformative force for inclusive and sustainable regional development.

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