OPERATION KAJO:  A Student-Led Disaster Response for Farmers in Benguet

In the spirit of Binnadang and Aduyon, the traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Cordillerans in the Philippines to voluntarily help and reach out to others in need, particularly during disasters, CCDC coordinated with the Benita and Catalino Yap Foundation and the Pilipinas Shell Foundation for an activity to help farmers affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Maring in October 2021.

The valley was flooded affecting largely the agricultural areas, for strawberries and vegetables, and even residential areas.  

The La Trinidad Agricultural Office forecasted that 34 hectares’ agriculture land, including the strawberry Farm was affected by Typhoon Maring in the whole of La Trinidad.  Hence, with the support of the school extension office, students gathered data to assess the damage and list priority needs of farmers affected by the typhoon for a disaster-relief response activity.

This student-led disaster-relief response focused on assisting farmers’ avail of new planting materials to help them recover from the crisis while allowing themselves to learn from actual experiences through volunteerism.  This activity was also an opportunity to value partnerships and collaborations with various organizations and groups.

CCDC Adopts a No Smoking Policy

In support of health measure to curb oral health problems and diseases, Cordillera Career Development College has long implemented a No Smoking and No Chewing of Betel Nut inside the campus.

Under Section 1.8 of Article 8 or the Code of Discipline in the Handbook for Students, smoking, vaping, and chewing or spitting of betel nut and tobacco is prohibited at any time inside the school premises.

Such offense is considered under “Type C” or Very Serious Offense, which merits warning for the first offense, suspension for the second offense, and expulsion for the third offense.

The offense has been in the Students’ Handbook since 2018.*

Nursing students undergo mental health debriefing

As part of their subject on Psychiatric Nursing, student nurses underwent a Mental Health activity which focused on self awareness at the Senior High School Hall on May 24, 2022.

Dubbed Psychosocial Activity: Sound Mind and Body, the activity is also a much-needed break from their Psychiatric Ward duties and forms part of their debriefing process.

The activity was conducted and supervised by Ms. Michelle Palongdias and Ms. Annielyn Ofo-ob of the CCDC Guidance Office.

Other photos are posted in the CCDC Social Media Account.

CCDC sets R&R for employees

To ensure balanced mental wellbeing, employees of Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) are provided “rest and recreation days,” aside from their regular work breaks.

For 2022, employees embarked on wellness breaks on February 21 and June 8 at the ADMIRALS Farms Park which offered relaxation activities such as forest bathing and hiking.

As a deviation, other employees also took on their rest and recreation day at the Reiwa Resort and Camping Grounds, near the seashores of Bauang, La Union on July 29.

The “rest days” provide the employees a sort of destressing to allow a smoother and more efficient working relationship with their colleagues.

The events also included team-building activities meant to foster improved interpersonal relationships and building mutual trust and confidence. Numerous studies have shown that rest and recreation breaks are considered mental wellness activities which prevent overloading of stress leading to burnouts.

The photo-documentation of the activities can be accessed below:

CHE joins training, consultation on RH, SDGs

Seven students and clinical instructors representing the College of Health Education attended the a training and consultation on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Sustainable Development Goals in Baguio City on July 27 and 28, 2022.

Organized by the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, the event intended to equip the participants on knowledge of global mechanisms, including voluntary national processes and respective sexual and reproductive health and rights related to the Sustainable Development Goals.

The event highlighted topics on the universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services including family planning, information education, and maternal and child care.*

CCDC gym turned into COVID vaxx site

The spacious gymnasium of Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) turned into a COVID prevention facility at the peak of the pandemic following an agreement between the school administration and the local government of La Trinidad, Benguet and the Department of Health.

Between October 2021 to November 2022, residents from all over the province lines up for free vaccination shots provided by the government.

The free use of the gymnasium for vaccination is CCDC’s response to help curb and eliminate the threat of the COVID-19 which has crippled communities, including the school’s own operations.

When the pandemic threat subsided in late 2022, the municipality of La Trinidad recognized the institution for this endeavor. A copy of the certificate can be gleaned below.

Engagement with Local Stakeholders

Vaccination @ the Campus

In a effort to ensure face-to-face engagements are safe as much as possible in light of the pandemic COVID-19 vaccination booster shots are offered at the CCDC school clinic for teachers, school staff and students.

For vaccination concerns, message the school clinic at +63910-660-3745.

---

𝘾𝘾𝘿𝘾 𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙉𝘼𝘾𝘾

CORDILLERA Career Development College (CCDC) is expecting more engagements and better expansion of its internship programs for its Social Work degree program following a recent partnership with the National Authority for Child Care (NACC).

A first of its kind, CCDC and its College of Social Work (CSW) entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with NACC on July 19 for the conduct of off-campus learning activities such as field observation and internship, said school President Sherry Junette Malaya-Tagle on Tuesday (Aug. 22).

𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 ||
https://ccdc.edu.ph/late…/ccdc-inks-partnership-with-nacc/

---

NCIP, CCDC ink legal ed partnership

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET – Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) – Benguet inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a legal education externship in brief program at the Admirals Farm Park here on December 21, 2021.

Under the MOU, NCIP – Benguet will initially engage in its programs and services 12 certified law student practitioners of CCDC College of Law under the latter’s Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP).

The CLEP externship between the law school and the NCIP is the first in the province following the issuance of A.M. No. 19-03-24-SC or Revised Law Student Practice Rule by the Supreme Court in 2019 which required all law schools to institutionalize CLEP.

It is expected to start of January and end on June, subject to renewal as determined by both parties.

The symbiotic partnership aims enhance learning opportunities of law students for them to operationally express their sense of social responsibility anchored in the administration of justice, said retired Judge Adolf Malingan, managing director of CCDC’s Legal Aid Clinic.

Malingan added that this program will likewise prepare law students for the practice of law while helping ensure access to justice of the indigenous people of Benguet. More law student practitioners are expected to be engaged soon under the MOU upon evaluation of the CCDC and NCIP – Benguet.

NCIP – Benguet director Atty. Harriet Abyadang hoped the externship will facilitate the faster and wider administration of services of their office, especially in legal department.

“Although we (NCIP) are the primary agency to serve the IPs, we are not the sole agency that’s why we also work with other agencies including the academe,” said Abyadang.

Under the MOU, law student practitioners will render data gathering and research of relevant laws and jurisprudence in relation to the cases referred by the NCIP and assist in public interest advocacies for policy formulation and implementation.

CCDC President Sherry Junette Malaya-Tagle said the MOU will hopefully pave way to other partnership arrangements between the only law school in Benguet and NCIP, as well wider engagements with communities CCDC caters to.

Abyadang and Legal Officer Atty. Myra Kalang-ad signed the MOU in behalf of NCIP – Benguet while Tagle, Malingan, and College of Law dean Atty. Alexis Agmata are signatories for CCDC.* (Karlston Lapniten)

---

61 kids receive COVID vax

Sixty-one children from across Benguet province received free anti-COVID-19 vaccination at the Cordillera Career Development College on March 24, 2022.

Dubbed #ResbakunaKids, the vaccination provided the children their first and second doses in partnership with the Local Government of La Trinidad, Cordillera Hospital of the Divine Grace, and Benguet General Hospital.

---

CCDC offers Free Legal Aid on 29th anniversary

At least a hundred individuals received free legal assistance offered by Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) through its College of Law as part of its monthlong 29th Founding Anniversary celebration on April 5, 2022.

The free legal aid services provided consultation and notarization of simple affidavit and documents, as well as rights and legal awareness.

The event partnered with the local barangay officials and the municipal local government for the information drive leading to the day.

The legal aid also served as a practicum of sorts to law student practitioners of the college.

---

Local Collaborations & Health Outreach Program

CCDC-CHDG Health Partnership

CCDC entered into a partnership with Cordillera Hospital of the Divine Grace (CHDG) for its annual medical check-up for employees.

The collaboration started December 10, 2021 and subsists until present. CHDG provides laboratory tests and medical consultation to ensure the well-being of employees, which includes teaching and non-teaching personnel.

---

Cordillera Regional Health Research and Development Consortium

CCDC is a member of the Cordillera Regional Health Research and Development Consortium which is a research consortium for the dissemination and utilization of research results to improve health and well- being.

The consortium also provides avenue for research funding on health research publications as well as trainings for faculty.

The consortium started in 2011 and exists until present. Below is a portion of the copy of the MOA signed by CCDC President James Malaya.

---

CCDC Birthing Clinic

CCDC entered into a collaboration with the Department of Health – Cordillera to cater to the health and well- being of pregnant mothers. A license to operate a birthing clinic was granted to CCDC in 2017 and is renewed yearly in compliance with the DOH regulations.

 The establishment of the CCDC Birthing Clinic was initially on academic grounds in line with the opening of the BS Midwifery program. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic came, the school opted to be responsive to the crisis by expanding its operations to cater to the maternal health care needs of the public that cannot be availed by some in hospitals due to fully occupied wards. 

During the COVID-19 crisis, the birthing clinic operated complying with health protocols laid down by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Health, the Inter-Agency Task Force, and the Local Government Unit. Its transformation to a crisis responsive facility was brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and it shall continue to transcend beyond COVID-19 into a facility for maternal and child health care at all times and for all.

---

BANAYAKEO – CCDC MOA

CCDC engaged a Memorandum of Agreement with Sitio Banayakeo, Poblacion, Atok, among the disadvantaged communities in Benguet province to cater the various services needed by the community.

Among the services provided are implementation of programs and outreach activities that pertain to health and well-ebeing, strengthening Family relations, proper handwashing, proper nutrition, and basic personal hygiene.

The outreach also includes provision of medical intervention with the help of volunteer students and employees.

---

Stress Debriefing and Psychosocial Support Activity for Cayapes Barrio School

CCDC conducted stress debriefing and psychosocial support to children and employees of Cayapes Barrio School, Kapangan town located among the disadvantaged communities in Benguet province.

Psychosocial support is the process of facilitating and strengthening resilience within individuals, families and communities to recover from and adapt to critical adversities with potentially damaging long-term impacts. Psychosocial support thus promotes the restoration of social cohesion and set-up.

For the past 2 years, due to the Corona Virus pupils are not allowed to go to school and go out because of the restrictions and for safety purposes. Pupils are confined inside their home, playing cellphones, watching tv the whole day, play and sleep anytime. Now, pupils need to adjust and adapt to the demands (New Normal) both academically and socially.

Majority of their time are spent in adjusting in time and new rules. Hence, the activity that conducted re-focused on the social aspect of their life.

Among the activities are Basic Self-Defense classes and focused-group discussions with various activities for the children that involved the development of fine motor skills like coffee painting and paper folding.

---

Confidential Informant Policy

CCDC adheres to policies protecting those reporting discrimination from educational or employment disadvantage.

As provided under CCDC Handbook for Students series of 2021, Article 8 Section 2 to 5, all reported incidents on discrimination, harassment and other forms of unfair treatments shall be reported and thoroughly investigated.

CCDC ensures a confidential reporting mechanism and takes appropriate action to address and prevent further discrimination.

A copy of the particular provision can be accessed below:

Students completing their degrees

Based on 2021 and 2022 data, there were more women than men who earned their college degrees.
Also, there was an increase in the number of women graduates while inversely, the number of men graduating decreased.