List of state colleges and universities in Cordillera with FREE TUITION starting 2018

Cordillera - The signing of the Republic Act 10931 or "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act" by President Rodrigo Duterte on August 3 will now provide free education to over a million students in public tertiary and vocational schools all over the country. 

The Act which was ratified by Congress in May 2017 and was transmitted to the Office of the President on July 5 will now grant full tuition fee subsidy to students in state-run and local universities and colleges including technical-vocational schools. 

There are a total of 112 state colleges and universities in the country that will start granting free tuition fee to students starting 2018-2019. 

READ ALSO:

• Kalinga State University offers Free Tuition Fee Program for SY 2017-2018

• Benguet State University (BSU) announces Free Tuition Fee 2017 

In Cordillera region (CAR), 6 universities and colleges are mandated to offer Free tuition next year. 

1. Abra State Institute of Science and Technology

2. Apayao State College

3. Benguet State University

4. Ifugao Sate University

5. Kalinga State University

6. Mountain Province State University (formerly the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College.

Students who will enroll in these universities will not pay for school charges such as entrance fees, registration fees, library fees, computer fees, laboratory fees, school ID fees, athletic fees, medical and dental fees, cultural and other similar or related fees.

Students who are poor will also provided subsidies and stipend under the student loan program where they can borrow money to their finance educational related needs. 

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BSU and Thailand's KMITL ink undergraduate student exchange program

BSU and KMITL sign MOU. 

Cordillera - Benguet State University and King's Mongkut Institute of Technology Latkrabang have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in many areas of educational cooperation, research and development.

According to BSU website, the purpose of the agreement is the collaboration on research and development between faculty members and graduate students where KMITL will find the appropriate laboratory and provide logistic requirements needed to complete the research.

Under the collaboration, both institution have agreed to exchange undergraduate students for professional internship program as well as faculty members and scholars to conduct lectures and advance studies.

Also included in the agreement is the promotion of cultural activities and interaction through the encouragement of Thai and Filipino cultures and languages.

The MOU was officially signed by BSU President Dr. Feliciano G. Galora Jr. and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Tessi M. Merestela with the KMTIL representative Dr. Patthraphon Patthrarangsarith, Department of Agricultural Education and Asst. Prof. SuntiTungtrakool, Head of the Dept. of Engineering Education.

Both leaders expressed hope and optimism that the agreement will be uphold and will benefit the institutes by continually working together and moving forward.

Earlier, the KMITL staff had the chance to tour BSU compound and visit different centers like the Benguet Agripinoy Training Centre (BAPTC), Agribased Technology Business Incubator/Innovation Centre and Benguet Vegetable Training Centre, among others.

source | | photo : bsu.edu.ph

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Baguio and La Trinidad residents may soon get a FREE Public Wifi

Baguio City - In an effort to provide internet connectivity to all Filipinos nationwide, the government and Smart Telecoms are now beefing up their project of providing residents of Baguio City a Free public Wifi.

The government's online news portal, Philippine Information Agency reports that the public wifi project is already in the pipeline at the Baguio City Hall and some famous tourist destinations like Burnham Park, Session Road and Mines View Park.

The project which is to be done in partnership with PLDT will also include putting up wifi spots in some known universities in Baguio and La Trinidad such as the University of Baguio and Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet.

The project known as "SmartSpots targets to provide fast internet access to both locals and tourists in all usual hangout places in the city.

In fact the project was already been set up at the "The Camp", one of the known hangouts along Leonard Wood Road.

Having a reliable wifi connection is a plus factor for the city tourism industry as this will help tourists in accessing the internet to look for accommodation and places to hangout, according to Sandy Carlos of the Camp HR Operations Director for Corporate Innovators.

This would also benefit students in the city to be able to use the free public wifi for their school projects, research and assignments.

The Free Internet Access Act which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte is part of the government's plan to promote knowledge and information to all citizens to enable them to participate in the fast evolving information and communication era.

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6-year-old kid in Ifugao carried away by river: Search and Rescue operation mobilize

Cordillera - A six-year-old boy who fell into and was swept away by the strong current of the river in Tinoc, Ifugao has been the center of a rescue operation of the municipal police, fire crews and some respondents to locate his whereabouts.

The kid was identified as Jaypee Martin Mat-an, a kindergarten pupil and resides at Ahin, Tinoc in the province of Ifugao.

According to the initial investigation, on June 2nd, Jaypee and his friends went to the river to swim at around 12 noon during their lunch break.

The report said, Jaypee was standing on a rock when he suddenly slipped and fell into the river.

His friends tried to save Jaypee but they were unable to do so because of the strong current of the river at that time.

Search teams were immediately mobilized to areas along the river where Jaypee could be at but they have yet to locate him.

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OFW recieves Php50,000 under the new OWWA MEDPlus program.

Mr. Aspuria receives his medical assistance from OWWA-CAR worth Php50,000

Cordillera - The Overseas Worker's Welfare Administration - Cordillera (OWWA-CAR) has awarded cash benefits to an OFW from Saudi Arabia who went home due to illness.

Mr. Fernando Aspuria received the amount of P50,000 pesos from the OWWA-CAR office on August 2 as medical assistance under the newly implemented OWWA benefits called MEDPlus. 

Mr Aspuria was an OFW for almost 17 years in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a Trailer Truck Driver and went home on February this year due to stage 5 chronic kidney disease. 

He learned about this new program of OWWA for OFWs suffering from illness through social media and went to OWWA-CAR office in Baguio city and was given cash assistance right that day. 

According to OWWA-CAR, Mr Aspuria was the first beneficiary of the said medical assistance in the region. 

Aside from the MEDPlus he recieved, he was also advised to apply for Balik Pinas Balik Hanap Buhay Program (BHBHBP) which he is expected to received P20,000 for livelihood assistance.

The MedPlus Program for OFWs was designed to provide supplemental medical assistance for active OWWA and Philhealth members with dreaded diseases and were hospitalized either at the jobsite of while in the Philippines. 

OFWs who were hospitalized overseas or here in the country on February 1,2017 onward are covered under this program.

OWWA-CAR started accepting applicants for MEDPlus on June 15, 2017. 

source: OWWA Baguio FB page

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Mine tunnel water leak in Itogon causes force evacuation of more than 10 families

Baguio City - Eleven families were reported to have been evacuated in Sitio Goldfield, Barangay Poblacion in Itogon Benguet after water from a tunnel of an old mine was seen leaking. 

Families residing near the area were advised by authorities to evacuate due to a possible land erosion caused by the said leak of an old mine owned by Atlas Mining and Development Corporation. 

Local radio station reports that evacuated families were temporarily sheltered at the Goldfield Elementary School where they were given relief goods and later were allowed to go to their relatives. 

Police authorities of the Itogon Municipal Police Station has put up police line to prohibit residents from returning to their homes until the area was studied and declared safe. 

The local government of Itogon, Benguet Corporation and Mines and Geosciences Bureau will conduct today a study to the area to determine the cause of the water coming from the tunnel.

Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan has appealed to the affected families not to return yet  to their homes and allow authorities to conduct a study to determine the cause of the problem.

source: Bombo Radyo Baguio

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Philippine Military sets August 20 for entrance examination

The Philippine Military Academy will be administering the PMA Entrance Examination on August 20, 2017 in forty (40) examination centers all through-out the country. The PMA Entrance Exam is the first stage in the selection process for cadetship in the premier leadership training school in the country.

PMA Cadets enjoys a full government scholarship. It means, they do not have to pay any single centavo during the entire years of training in the Academy where they will earn a Bachelor of Science Degree. They are also commissioned as 2LT and Ensigns in the Armed Forces of the Philippines upon graduating from the Academy.

This year marks the initial batch of Grade 12 students under the K to 12 Basic Education Program who will be graduating by 2018. They will be allowed to take the PMAEE provided that they will graduate before 01 April 2018. PMAEE applicants will also come from college-level students who graduated from 4th-year High School of the old curriculum.

PMA is at the forefront of the AFP modernization program because its graduates are the ones to lead the Armed Forces in the years to come. As such, Cadets are at the receiving end to the state-of-the-art training facilities and equipment in PMA:

- Model classrooms
- New cadet barracks (student dorms)
- Computer rooms
- Simulation rooms
- Fitness center
- PMA Station Hospital

Qualifications for admission in the Philippine Military Academy are the following:

- Natural-born Filipino citizen,

- Minimum 5 feet for both male and female,

- Physically fit and of good moral character,

- Single and has never been married,

- High school graduate. Senior High School Students (Grade 12) may apply provided that they will graduate before 01 April 2018

- No administrative/criminal case, must pass the PMAEE, and should have been born from April 01, 1996 to April 01, 2001.

Successful applicants will compose the PMA Class 2022 who will be officially received in the Academy in an Oath-Taking Ceremony and Reception Rites on April 01, 2018.

To all applicants, please be reminded of the things to bring during the examination:

- Examination Permit (sent by Office of Cadet Admission)

- Valid Identification (School ID, Voter’s ID, Driver’s License, etc)

- 2 pcs 2×2 picture with white background

- 2pcs mongol 2 pencil

For those interested to take the exam but did not apply, you can take the exam as a walk-in applicant. Just proceed to the examination center of your preference with the following:

- Birth Certificate

- High School Report Card/Form 137 or 138 or College Transcript of Records

- Valid Identification (School ID, Voter’s ID, Driver’s License, etc)

- 2 pcs 2×2 picture with white background

- 2pcs mongol 2 pencil

For those who applied online or by mail but did not receive their exam permit, you will be treated as walk-in applicants.

source | | Philippine Military Academy 

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Thailand's King Mongkut's Institute of Technology visits Benguet State University

 Visitors from King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) Bangok, Thailand are in Benguet State University to have their Educational Exposure and Study Visit. Photo Courtesy BSU FB page

La Trinidad Benguet - Management staff of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Latkrabang KMITL in Thailand visits Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet this week.

The delegation of KMTL met with the management staff of BSU on 25th July to discuss educational cooperation between the two institutions.

According to the post from Benguet State University official Facebook page, members of the King Mongkut's Intitute of Techonology are in BSU this week to have their educational exposure and study visit.

KMITL is a research and educational institution in the Kingdom of Thailand located in Latkrabang 30 km east of Metro Bangkok. It has seven faculties that facilitate agricultural technology, agricultural industry, architecture, engineering, science, information technology and industrial education.

The institution was founded in 1960 in Nonthaburi province conducting training in telecommunication under the support of the Japanese government. Today KMITL is now the largest science and engineering universities in Thailand.

The university presents its plan to establish centers for innovation, a medical center and a Tech Square in the next few years.

It is expected that KMTL and Benguet State University will develop and enhance educational cooperation in the field of agriculture, engineering and science.

By Joseph B.

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Brave Igorot soldier from Bontoc 1st Lt. Fagyan shares his experience fighting in Marawi

Photo Courtesy || Philippine Army

Cordillera - 1st Lt. Kent Fagyan appeared at the Batasang Pambansa hall in Quezon City during the joint session of the House of Representative and Senate on Saturday to share his experience in the battle he and the rest on his platoon had experienced in Marawi City.

1st Lieutenant Kent Fagyan is an Igorot soldier from Gonogon, Bontoc, Mountain Province. He was sent to Mindanao and both served during the Zamboanga siege and the Marawi siege.

In his speech, he detailed how the Marawi battle is very much different from the Zamboango siege he experienced in 2014 because they are facing a different kind of enemy (the Maute terrorist group). 

He explained that the Maute fighters have more advance war equipment like radio frequency scanner, high caliber firearms and drone. He also said that the enemy are fighting in an advantage position.

Fagyan, 29-year-old is the commanding officer of the 15-DRC 1st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army. He told the house how they are fighting the battle from house to house, chamber to chamber to clear the city from the enemy and also rescue those trap civilians inside.

To clear every corner of the house from hiding Maute fighters, Fagyan told that his team must use tear-gas and grenades.

During the Fagyan's speech senator Dick Gordon noticed Fagyan's right arm was wrapped and he asked how he got wounded. Fagyan told him he got wounded together with his two colleagues in a close encounter with the enemy in a house they were conducting clearing operation.

Gordon was emotionally moved by Fagyan's story and saluted him for his bravery An applause followed from both the congressmen and senators ensued.

Wounded Fagyan also expressed his gratitude to all those who have supported them by sending clothing, food and water.

READ ALSO: Cordilleran Police Chriz Dulagan to represent Philippines in Man of the World 2017

"In behalf po sa mga kasamahan ko na lumalaban pa sa Marawi, nararamdaman po namin na hindi kami nag-iisa na lumalaban sa kanila," he said.

Legislators on Saturday finally voted in favor to the request of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend Martial Law in Mindanao for 150 more days to completely eradicate Islamist insurgents in Marawi City.

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JOB VACANCY: DepEd Cordillera is hiring 37 admin staff for elementary and secondary position

Cordillera - The Department of Education Cordillera (DepEd - CAR), School Division of Benguet has announced its job vacancy for elementary and secondary administrative staff position.

In a note published on DepEd Benguet website (http://depedbenguet.com/publication/) vacancy positions to be filled are for Administrative II and Administrative Assistance III. 


The note also said that "application letter shall be filled at the DepEd CAR, SDO Benguet located in Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet (see map below) through the Records Section before the [specified] deadline". 

Applicants should bring with them the following documents:

– Personal Data Sheet (PDS)
– Service Records
– Transcript of Records
– Performance Ratings for the last three(3) rating periods 
– Certificates of Trainings/Seminars attended
– Certificate of Eligibility
– Other Pertinent Documents

MAP of DepEd-Car School Division Office Benguet

Click HERE to go direct to Google Map

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