Higher Education Caravan 2023 concludes in Tandag City
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- The Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
Caraga, in collaboration with various government agencies, successfully
conducted the information, education and communication campaign dubbed as
“Higher Education Caravan 2023,” as the 3rd and final leg in the region, which
was hosted by the North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU) main campus
in Tandag City on September 21, 2023.
The event was actively participated by the stakeholders, student government officers, and faculty advisers from different institutions such as NEMSU-main campus in Tandag City, NEMSU-Cantilan campus, NEMSU-San Miguel campus, NEMSU-Bislig campus, Saint Theresa College Inc., and Northern Mindanao Colleges Inc.
The campaign is tailored to protect the higher education students and school campuses through increased information drive and campaigns of the government’s
programs on how to combat society's ill problems, including the proliferation
of illegal drugs in the academe.
Dr. Criseldo C. Calinawan, CHED Caraga education supervisor, emphasized
in his message that the conduct of the event is an imperative initiative
designed to address the critical issues that compromise the well-being, safety,
and education of the students.
“The event aligns seamlessly from neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and
other conditions prejudicial to their development,” Dr. Calinawan said.
Resource speaker from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga
chief and regional information officer Dindo Abellanosa elaborated on some
inputs on addressing the drug menace, as he mentioned, the conduct of random
drug testing can indeed help solve the ill problem in the institution. He also
lauded the NEMSU Tandag City for their plan to implement such activity in the
campus.
Abellanosa elaborated on Adbokasiya Laban sa Iligal na Droga (ALAB), a
PDEA program that served as a front-line strategy in combating the pervasive
problem on illegal drug use in the country.
A representative from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
Provincial Office, Imi Louda Espina tackled the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan
or BIDA program of the agency. At the same time, the speaker from the
Philippine National Police (PNP) Surigao del Sur Police provincial information
officer, PMajor Ely Flor Breviescas talked about the role of law enforcement in
the society.
Meanwhile, Dave Villarin, chief officer of the information management
branch of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency
(NICA), briefed the participants on national security awareness who
provided broader and realistic insights and comprehension on security
challenges, specifically communist recruitment among higher education students
as vulnerable prey.
The Higher Education Caravan 2023 kicked off in Butuan City on August 25,
in the presence of HEI students from Butuan City and the provinces of Agusan
del Norte and Agusan del Sur. The roadshow continued on September 5, 2023, as
Surigao City served as the venue of the 2nd leg with participants from Surgao
City and the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands. (NGPB,
PIA-Surigao del Sur)
