CHED Chairperson De Vera Graces KSU’s 4 CHED Funded Infrastructure Projects; CHED-CAR Director and 3 SUC Presidents Join the Inauguration

Kalinga State University is lucky for the second time to have the CHED Chairperson, Dr. Prospero De Vera III visiting the university.

De Vera was the first Chairperson of CHED to come to KSU where his first visit was that of last year, March 3,2022 during the ground breaking of the Proposed Kalinga Cultural Heritage and Edu-Tourism Center where he was adopted as son of Kalinga and given the native name, “ALINGAG”, having been given the privileges to protection as mandated in the Pagta of the Bodong.

This time on the same day, March 3, 2023 was the inauguration of said project together with the other 3, the Online Radio, Modernization of Engineering Laboratory Equipment and the HRM Extension Building.

In his message, De Vera applauded the University President, Dr. Eduardo T. Bagtang for the on-time implementation of the projects. He added that Bagtang has the leadership which is really committed to internationalization.

During the first online radio broadcast, De Vera expressed his full support to the online radio. “I am honored and privileged to join the initial broadcast and the commission is happy to have partnered with KSU in facilitating this project so that there are various ways of reaching the students in using the technology. I hope this will continue and will be a regular activity of the university to be able to reach its various constituents, its family, students, alumni, and the communities that are served by the university.”

Meanwhile, he emphasized that the Modernization of Engineering Laboratory Equipment is only found in KSU which made it distinct from other SUCs.

Dr. Demetrio Anduyan Jr, CHED-CAR Director, in his message over the online radio’s first live broadcast, informed the public that there were already approved more slots for the Tulong- Dunong Program which will offer more scholarships to the students.

Dr. Eva Marie Dugyon, Ifugao State University President, also congratulated the university president and the CHED, our partner for development, for coming up with this great initiative for the Development Communication students.

Dr. Felipe Comila, Benguet State University President also thanked the CHED for its generosity. “I see the happiness of Dr. Bagtang in leading the university through this avenue of expressing what we want to happen for our Kalinga people”, he added during the online radio live broadcast.

Dr. Edgar Cue, Mountain Province State Polytechnic College President, who hails here in Kalinga was also present during the inauguration. “Mysa nga anakak ti taga Kalinga, Mabuhay ti KSU, Mabuhay ti Kalinga." He said in his short but inspiring message.

On her opening remarks, Atty. Lily Frieda Milla gave a background of the Cultural Heritage and Edu-Tourism Center. She added that this project will pave the way to support tourism industry not only in the province but throughout the country thus, bringing internationalization to Philippine Higher Education Institutions.

Prior to the inauguration, a DOMOG was performed in the new buildings of the Cultural Heritage Center and the HRM Extension building. A DOMOG is a Kalinga ritual to drive away bad spirits and to ensure good health among people who come in and out of the buildings.

Honorable Allen Jesse Mangaoang, represented by his better half, Dr. Carolyn Agyao-Mangaoang, extended his warm congratulations to KSU for another historic milestone it has achieved. “The heritage center I believe will foster a better understanding of our arts and culture where our peaceful co-existence amidst our diversity made possible the evolution of a province that recently gained universal fame because of the beauty of its culture through the record-breaking Awong Chi Gangsa, Agtun chi Banga.” Mangaoang added.

Honorable James Edduba said, “we recognize our important role and we are inspired to see KSU to be developed and evolve through the years.”

Atty. Catherine Apaling, NCIP- Kalinga, expressed her gratitude to CHED for funds allocation to the Kalinga Cultural Heritage and Edu-Tourism Center. “This is so important to us for it preserves our material culture”, she added.

The afternoon route was more interesting with the CHED Chairperson enjoyed biking and later toured to AWICHON Echo Village where they finally had their tattoo sessions.