17/08/2026
BCODSAS, PAPSAS Pay Courtesy Visit to CHED Bicol RD; Officers Take Oath
LEGAZPI CITY โ Officers of the Bicol Council of Deans and Student Affairs and Services (BCODSAS) and the Philippine Association of Practitioners of Student Affairs and Services (PAPSAS) paid a courtesy visit to CHED Bicol Regional Director Demetrio P. Anduyan, Jr., where they also formally took their oath as officers, August 17, 2026, CHED RO V.
Joining the meeting was Ms. Cyrill Badiola, Education Program Specialist II of CHED Bicol, who serves as adviser of the two organizations in the region.
During the discussion, Anduyan emphasized that higher education institutions must remain places where students feel safe, supported, engaged, and excited to learn.
โOur learners must run to school and walk home. The school must be a place they look forward to going to because they enjoy their academic journey,โ Anduyan said.
He stressed that while academic rigor remains important, academic workloads should be balanced with activities that are meaningful, exciting, relevant, and challenging, making studentsโ stay in school both productive and enjoyable.
Anduyan also pointed out that social media and artificial intelligence have significantly changed how students access information and learn. With knowledge and content readily available through digital platforms, he said schools must help learners process information, think critically, distinguish credible information, and use emerging technologies responsibly.
This changing learning environment, he added, requires HEIs to continuously review traditional approaches to teaching and learning and employ varied and engaging strategies that respond to the interests, needs, and learning habits of todayโs students.
โSchools cannot afford to bore our learners,โ he stressed, noting that education must remain rigorous without losing the sense of discovery, engagement, and enjoyment that encourages students to participate actively in their own learning.
At the core of these efforts, however, is the safety and welfare of students, which Anduyan emphasized must always come first.
The discussions therefore covered the implementation of CMO No. 63, particularly requirements governing student external experiential learning activities and the responsibility of HEIs to ensure appropriate safeguards whenever students participate in activities outside the campus.
The group also discussed the need to beef up campus security and regularly conduct fire and earthquake drills to strengthen institutional preparedness and ensure that students, faculty, and personnel are equipped to respond during emergencies.
Also highlighted was Project GAYON, CHED Bicolโs online guidance assistance initiative, which provides an additional channel through which students may seek help and be connected to appropriate support.
The meeting underscored the important role of BCODSAS and PAPSAS in helping HEIs create learning environments where academic excellence goes hand in hand with student engagement, safety, well-being, and holistic development.
The Officers Who Took Their Oath were:
Prof. Rhodaviv V. Avila- President;
Prof. Adrian Giovanni C. Gerona- VP for Private HEIs;
Prof. Grace B. Abella- VP for Public HEIs
Prof. Jay Leonil S. Camo- Secretary
Prof. Daisy S. Judavar- Treasurer
Dr. Jesse Anne P. Rodriguez- Auditor
Prof. Kenjie E. Jimenea - PIO
Board of Directors:
Dr. Jay Luzon
Prof. Jay-r M. Fabricate
Prof. Joey Mantes
Prof. Marilou B. Empig
Prof. Hannadhi E. Bruces
Prof. Randy P. Iniego
Prof. Marco B. Discarga
CHED Bicol affirmed its continuing partnership with BCODSAS and PAPSAS in strengthening student affairs and services across the region and in ensuring that every Bicolano learner is given an educational experience that is not only academically meaningful, but also safe, relevant, challenging, and enjoyable.
PHOTOS FROM FRANK
