Foundation University Hosts the Regional Celebration of CHED's 31st Anniversary

On May 20, 2025, Foundation University hosted the regional celebration of CHED’s 31st anniversary, together with the 5th National Higher Education Day Caravan. The region-wide event recognized three decades of work in championing accessible, inclusive and globally competitive higher education in the country. Dr. Raul C. Alvarez, Jr., REE, Ed.D., CESO III, Director IV of CHED’s NIR office, was warmly welcomed by University President Victor Vicente “Dean” Sinco, having recognized their shared commitments toward inclusive and quality education through the years. 

CHED came into being on May 18, 1994 through Republic Act No. 7722, also known as the Higher Education Act of 1994, although the motivation to implement its functions was laid down two years earlier through a series of reform agendas targeting the country’s education system. These reforms eventually segmentized the education sector into three governing bodies, resulting in the creation of a regulative and administrative office for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Before Negros Island Region (NIR) was passed into law, CHED’s local operations were housed in the sub-regional office in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. Just this year, CHED Secretary Popoy De Vera, together with then Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, CHED Commissioners Shirley Agrupis and Ronald Adamat, and CHEDRO-NIR Regional Director Raul C. Alvarez, Jr. inaugurated a new regional office at Negros Oriental State University’s (NORSU) Main Campus.

As of the moment, CHED-NIR oversees eighty-five HEIs in the region, with fifty-seven institutions coming from Negros Occidental, twenty-four from Negros Oriental, and Siquijor having four.

Together with Dr. Alvarez in the day-long event were esteemed officials from different academic institutions, offering their praise and dedication to CHED’s 31 years of service: President Victor Vicente “Dean” Sinco of Foundation University, Dr. Ma. Johanna Ann Rabago-Bayoneta, President of Bacolod City College, Dr. Betty Cernol-McCann, President of Silliman University, and Dr. Noel Marjon E. Yasi, President of Negros Oriental State University.

In the afternoon, a lively motorcade was held. Thirty-five HEIs across the region took part in the occasion. Together with the Abuhini band, participants gathered near the Pantawan area fronting Bethel Guest House before processioning all the way to the CHED NIR Regional Office building near Kagawasan Avenue.