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

Strengthening its advocacy for inclusive education, the Commission on Higher Education – Cordillera Administrative Region (CHED-CAR), through its UniFAST Unit, took part in the Seminar on Scholarships and Grants for Special Equity Groups at Benguet State University (BSU) Main Campus in La Trinidad, Benguet, on March 30, 2026. The activity was conducted in celebration of National Women’s Month and aimed to provide an avenue for solo parents, indigenous students, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to be oriented on the various government programs available to them.

Ms. Jezeny O. Laoyan, Lead Regional Coordinator of the UniFAST Unit, presented the programs under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA) or Republic Act No. 10931. These programs include Free Higher Education (FHE), the Tulong Dunong Program (TDP), and the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES). She emphasized that TES provides additional benefits to beneficiaries identified as PWDs, including an additional Php 5,000 on top of the regular Php 10,000 to Php 13,500 subsidy per stipend.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development – Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) also graced the event and presented its sectoral programs for the participants. The agency was represented by Mr. Raphael Gabriel B. Tubana, Social Welfare Officer I, who discussed services and interventions available to students belonging to special equity groups.

The seminar was spearheaded by BSU’s ICARE (Inclusive Center for Assistive Resources and Empowerment), which aims to promote inclusive education and empower students from marginalized sectors. Through initiatives such as this, the University seeks to help reduce dropout rates and address literacy gaps among learners belonging to special equity groups.

With this initiative, the CHED-CAR UniFAST Unit reaffirms its commitment to advancing equitable access to quality tertiary education by ensuring that students from special equity groups are well-informed of government support programs. Through continued collaboration with higher education institutions and partner agencies, CHED-CAR remains steadfast in promoting inclusive, accessible, and sustainable education for all.