Jenny Felix – Page 4 – Cordillera Career Development College

Academic Freedom Policy

Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) strongly upholds academic freedom as essential to its mission of advancing knowledge and fostering innovation. In alignment with national and international standards, including SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), the institution guarantees faculty members the freedom to research, teach, and publish without undue interference.

Research Freedom

CCDC ensures that both senior and junior academics enjoy the liberty to explore and conduct research in their chosen fields. Research is supported through:

Institutional and Employee-Initiated Research: Faculty may pursue their own research interests or contribute to institution-prioritized projects, provided they align with the college’s research agenda.
Funding and Credit Units: Research efforts are supported through institutional funding, load credits, and honoraria. Faculty may apply for research units that count toward their academic workload.
Review and Ethics Process: Proposals undergo review by the Research Office and Research Management Committee to ensure quality, ethics, and alignment with academic goals.
Freedom to Publish: Faculty retain the right to publish or present findings in national and international venues.

These mechanisms empower academics at all ranks to meaningfully contribute to their disciplines and the community.

Teaching Freedom

CCDC affirms the right of its faculty to exercise professional judgment in teaching. This includes:

Curriculum Design: Faculty are free to develop course content and select materials, provided they meet academic standards.
Pedagogical Methods: Educators may use diverse teaching approaches to foster learning and student engagement.
Assessment: Faculty have the discretion to evaluate student performance based on approved academic criteria.

Teaching freedom is practiced within a framework that promotes quality education, respect, and institutional values.

Hence, CCDC’s policy reflects international principles endorsed by UNESCO and supports the academic freedom indicator in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. By protecting intellectual freedom and fostering scholarly integrity, the institution contributes to building accountable and innovative academic environments.

Academic freedom at CCDC is a protected right and shared responsibility. Through structured support for research and respect for teaching autonomy, the institution creates an environment where inquiry, dialogue, and discovery can flourish—benefiting students, scholars, and society.

CCDC adheres to inclusive governance through student, staff representation

Cordillera Career Development College adheres to a policy on inclusive governance which emphasizes the importance of involving diverse stakeholders such as students, parents, teachers, and community members in decision-making processes to ensure equitable representation and participation.

CCDC promotes transparency, accountability, and shared responsibility, fostering an environment where all voices are valued.

As such the institution recognizes the representation on the school’s highest governing body the elected representatives from the Student Government and Employees Association.

CCDC recognizes the election of the Student Government headed by its president Tzietel Jade Sacla and vice president Joemelyn Alindayo.

The results of the election:

Likewise, CCDC acknowledges the election and representation of all teaching and non-teaching employees through their duly-elected officers.

The CCDC Employees Association, who were sworn into office on December 22, 2023, are President Amor Segundo, Vice President Rovelyn Antonio, Secretary Neizel Lengset, Treasurer Dennis Guiniguin, Auditor Jhunedy Antonio, PIO Mariel Buac, and Business Managers Fortune Diwag and Marcial Etong.

The elected presidents of both associations shall be in constant engagement with the school’s governing board as representatives of their associations.

The school reaffirms its commitment to the pursuit of excellent academic services through mutual engagement and cooperation with the representatives from the Student Government and the Employees Association.

CCDC College of Law Conducts Participatory Consultation on Proposed Fee Adjustments

From the left: Ms. Renaluz Lamsis (CCDC-College of Law Linteg Student Organization Vice President), Mr. Reginald Libang (CCDC Vice President for Finance), Mr. Pebrano Sabiling (Budget Officer), Mr. Roderick Nierva (CCDC-College of Law Linteg Student Organization President), Atty. Czarinah Rose Gumpic (CCDC College of Law alumna and faculty member), Atty. Alexis Agmata (CCDC College of Law Dean)

The College of Law held a formal stakeholder consultation on April 29, 2024 at the Board Room to discuss the proposed tuition and miscellaneous fee adjustments for Academic Year 2024–2025. The meeting was attended by representatives from the administration, faculty, alumni, and students.

Chaired by Vice President for Finance Reginald Libang, the consultation presented the breakdown of proposed fee changes, including College of Law specific fees such as the introduction of a Clinical Legal Education (CLEP) Fund, clarification of ExamSoft subscription costs, retention of the Bar Operations Fund, and discussions on the deferment of test material fees. Students raised concerns regarding library resources, athletic fees, and facility improvements, all of which were acknowledged and addressed by the administration.

A key highlight was the planned salary standardization for law faculty, a measure intended to enhance instructional quality and faculty retention. Students expressed understanding and support for this initiative, highlighting the importance of consistent and effective teaching.

Overall, the consultation reflected CCDC’s continuing commitment to participatory decision-making, where students are engaged as partners in shaping academic and financial policies. By fostering open communication and shared responsibility, the college reinforces a culture of accountability and ensures that policies remain responsive to the needs of its community.

CCDC and NACC-RACCO Hold Forum to Advance Adoption and Alternative Child Care

25 April 2024 | The Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) , in partnership with the National Authority for Child Care – Regional Alternative Child Care Office (NACC-RACCO) Cordillera, hosted the “Forum on Adoption and Alternative Child Care” on April 25, 2024 at the Tupay-ya Gymnasium, Buyagan, Poblacion, La Trinidad, Benguet.

A total of 274 participants—including students from Social Work, Health Education, and Criminal Justice Education, along with representatives from the 16 barangays of La Trinidad—attended and participated in the event, a testament to the community’s enduring commitment to childhood welfare.

The morning program commenced with the preliminaries then was followed by Ms. Felisa A. Singlan, Social Welfare Officer- V, introduced the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), framing the day’s discussions within the context of national priorities on child protection and care.

The main segments of the forum presented relevant laws and programs:

Ms. Eartha Rache B. Amboni, SWO III, discussed Domestic Administrative Adoption under Republic Act No. 11642, highlighting the simplified processes for families to create safe, permanent homes for children.

Ms. Jane B. Quizzagan, SWO III, provided an orientation on alternative child care and the Philippine Foster Care Program, emphasizing the importance of nurturing environments for children in need.

Ms. Ruby Lynn P. Huag, SWO III, addressed the Simulated Birth Rectification Act (RA 11222), clarifying how families can legally correct simulated birth records for the full benefit and protection of children.

Following the presentations, a lively open forum allowed participants to seek clarifications and discuss local child welfare concerns, fostering active dialogue and shared learning between agency officials, students, and barangay leaders. In recognition of participants’ enthusiasm and involvement, organizers also gave away prizes, contributing to an atmosphere of encouragement and celebration throughout the event.The event closed with the distribution of tokens and certificates and final acknowledgments from the organizing committee.

By bringing together multiple sectors in one forum, CCDC and NACC-RACCO provided a comprehensive, accessible avenue for legal literacy on child welfare issues and fostered a culture of both professional advocacy and community involvement in support of every child’s right to family and protection.

Consistent with its mission as a center of quality 21st-century education for culturally diverse and global learners, CCDC continues to champion programs that bridge knowledge, ethics, and active civic participation. Through such forums, the institution affirms its lasting commitment to lifelong learning, fostering future-ready social workers and allied professionals for the benefit of society and the nation.

Community health outreach programs remain critical part of CCDC policy

Since its founding in 1993, Cordillera Career Development College has established and sustained a good relationship with its host communities.

CCDC firmly regards the communities as critical partners in providing holistic, accessible and inclusive learning experiences to students, molding them into culturally sensitive and responsible global citizens and leaders.

As such, the institution provides multi-faceted outreach programs and events to help improve and capacitate its host communities in various areas such as in health, sports, laws, economics, and local governance.

Among the institutional programs CCDC practice are the conduct of health and well-being promotions through information campaigns and collaborations to deliver medical interventions.

CCDC’s College of Health Education leads most of the activities towards this endeavor, deploying students under the Nursing and Midwifery degree programs on supervised activities and in partnership outreach events with local government units and non-profit organizations.

LOCAL COMMUNITIES

In October 2024, student nurses under the Nursing degree program conducted an educational class on residents of Shilan, a community in La Trinidad Benguet.

Dubbed “Mother’s Class Activity on Family Planning and Cervical Cancer Screening,” the whole-day event intended to bring essential health services closer to the community.

The student nurses conducted lectures on family planning options such as injectables, condoms, pills, and implant insertion, as well as on Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA), empowering women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

Such kind of initiative strengthens primary health care by promoting responsible parenthood, and supporting early detection of cervical cancer.

In December 2024, another batch of student nurses joined the Rural Health Unit of the local government of La Trinidad, Benguet in conducting AIDS awareness lecture and HIV screening to the community.

The event, held in celebration of the World AIDS Day, provided free opportunities for members of the community to avail of health service.

DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE

CCDC also puts a prime on delivering and engaging communities with disadvantaged people as part of its policy to uplifting its host communities.

CCDC’s host communities are dominantly Indigenous Cultural Communities which are primarily agriculture-dependent localities.

To help ensure that these vulnerable communities also have access to health information and services, CCDC partnered with the local government of La Trinidad and Medical Outreach Missions Fellowship Initiative of Saint Louis University to conduct an Optical, Medical, and Dental Mission on September 10 at Bineng, an outskirt community in La Trinidad.

Supervised by their Internship Instructor, student nurses under the Nursing degree program assisted in patient assessment, vital signs monitoring, health education, medication distribution, and crowd management.

The participation of students in supervised outreach activities enhanced their skills in health promotion, patient education, and community engagement. In doing so, they foster trust with community members and help address their pressing health needs.

Lastly, proper handwashing remains one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent the spread of illnesses. Recognizing its importance, nursing students assigned in Atok, Benguet conducted a school nursing activity focused on demonstrating proper hand hygiene among elementary learners in the community.

The initiative aimed to raise awareness on the role of handwashing in preventing common infections, especially among school-age children who are frequently exposed to various disease-causing microorganisms in their daily environment. Since young learners are at higher risk due to frequent hand-to-mouth contact and shared school materials, this activity aligned well with the students’ community health and preventive care objectives.

During the session, the nursing students discussed the significance of proper hand hygiene, emphasizing when and why handwashing is necessary based on the WHO’s Five Moments for Hand Hygiene. The learners were also guided through proper handwashing steps to ensure complete cleansing of the hands.

To make the activity more engaging, the nursing students used visual aids and interactive strategies. Songs and simple rhymes were incorporated to help the children remember the handwashing steps more easily. The learners actively participated, practicing the techniques and asking questions about how germs spread and why the use of soap is essential in removing them.

Overall, the demonstration proved meaningful in reinforcing good hygiene practices among young children, fostering healthier behaviors that contribute to disease prevention within their homes, schools, and the wider community.

Sustainable and Healthy Food Choices at CCDC

Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainability through responsible food sourcing and the promotion of local products. Recognizing the importance of supporting community producers while providing nutritious options for students and staff, CCDC ensures that its campus food establishments prioritize homegrown and sustainably sourced ingredients.

One prime example of this initiative is the Kampaw Station Café and Restaurant, which proudly serves Admirals Farm Park Homegrown “Cinnamon Roast” Coffee—an organic, hand-picked, and manually roasted blend produced locally in Puguis, La Trinidad

By featuring locally cultivated coffee, CCDC not only celebrates Cordilleran craftsmanship but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transportation.

In addition, CCDC promotes plant-based and locally grown produce through its Vegetable Day program for Basic Education, held every Wednesday and Friday. This practice encourages healthy eating among students while supporting nearby farmers who provide fresh, seasonal vegetables.

These initiatives align with the college’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. By integrating sustainability into its food services, CCDC ensures that every meal served reflects its dedication to environmental stewardship and community empowerment.

Through its sustainable dining practices, CCDC demonstrates that small, consistent efforts—such as sourcing from local farms and choosing organic, homegrown products—can make a significant impact. The college remains steadfast in fostering a campus culture that values health, sustainability, and support for local enterprise.

CCDC Promotes Sustainable and Locally Sourced Food Choices

Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainability through responsible food sourcing and the promotion of local products. Recognizing the importance of supporting community producers while providing nutritious options for students and staff, CCDC ensures that its campus food establishments prioritize homegrown and sustainably sourced ingredients.

One prime example of this initiative is the Kampaw Station Café and Restaurant, which proudly serves Admirals Farm Park Homegrown “Cinnamon Roast” Coffee—an organic, hand-picked, and manually roasted blend produced locally in Puguis, La Trinidad

By featuring locally cultivated coffee, CCDC not only celebrates Cordilleran craftsmanship but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transportation.

In addition, CCDC promotes plant-based and locally grown produce through its Vegetable Day program for Basic Education, held every Wednesday and Friday. This practice encourages healthy eating among students while supporting nearby farmers who provide fresh, seasonal vegetables.

These initiatives align with the college’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. By integrating sustainability into its food services, CCDC ensures that every meal served reflects its dedication to environmental stewardship and community empowerment.

Through its sustainable dining practices, CCDC demonstrates that small, consistent efforts—such as sourcing from local farms and choosing organic, homegrown products—can make a significant impact. The college remains steadfast in fostering a campus culture that values health, sustainability, and support for local enterprise.

Addressing Student Hunger: CCDC’s Initiatives Toward Zero Hunger

The Challenge of Student Food Insecurity

Student food insecurity – the lack of reliable access to sufficient, nutritious food – is a growing concern in many colleges and universities. When students are unsure where their next meal will come from, their academic performance and health can suffer. In fact, even at Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC), “many students face the constant worry of affording basic necessities like food”, a burden that “can really take a toll on their studies and overall well-being”. Recognizing that hunger should never hinder education, CCDC has begun taking steps aligned with the United Nations’ Zero Hunger goal to support student nutrition and welfare.

CCDC’s Commitment to Zero Hunger

CCDC has publicly committed to doing its part to combat hunger as part of its educational mission. One prominent effort is its alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger, demonstrated through community partnerships and campus policies. The college understands that ensuring students and communities are well-nourished is essential for them to thrive academically and personally.

Community Gardening for Food Security

CCDC students and faculty join community members in establishing vegetable gardens in urban settings, a sustainable approach to improving food security. With the Cordilleras as primarily a vegetable farming region, CCDC is also promoting urban gardening for students.Through its National Service Training Program (NSTP) and extension services, CCDC partnered with government agencies to promote sustainable agriculture and combat malnutrition in local communities. In 2024, CCDC joined the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s “Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay” (HAPAG) project, encouraging households to grow their own food. This community gardening initiative engages students, faculty, and residents in planting vegetables in backyards and communal plots. “The goal is to create self-sufficient homes, reducing food insecurity, malnutrition, and poverty,” explained Barangay Kagawad Mercidonna Alos during one planting activity. CCDC’s NSTP Coordinator noted that the program’s primary aims include “helping reduce food insecurity and hunger” and supporting local feeding programs by providing sustained access to nutritious produce. By teaching communities to cultivate at home crops like pechay (bok choy), string beans, and taro, the college contributes beyond campus to a future where no family or student goes hungry. This outreach reflects CCDC’s broader commitment to “helping to end hunger, achieve food security, and improved nutrition” in the region.

CCDC Opens Campus to the Public for Education, Sports, and Culture in 2024

Throughout 2024, Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) welcomed the public to a series of educational seminars, professional training sessions, athletic meets, and cultural showcases on its campus. This open-door initiative underscored CCDC’s mission of public service, leadership development, cultural heritage promotion, and community wellness.

In the realm of education and training, a major event was the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) Congress hosted at CCDC with CHED-CAR on December 6, 2024, drawing about 250 student-grantees and representatives from regional colleges. The college also held a 13-hour public seminar on professional audio systems for theater and live events in October 2024. Additionally, CCDC provided its facilities free of charge for a five-day Philippine Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT), enabling 100 aspiring army officers to take their qualifying exams on campus in partnership with the Philippine Army Recruitment Office.

CCDC’s venues likewise became gathering places for sports and cultural events open to all. From February 7 to March 2, 2024, the college hosted the Benguet Provincial Athletic Meet, using its halls and gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, and combative sports competitions that drew student-athletes from across the province. On September 28, 2024, CCDC’s main gymnasium was the stage for the Mister Grand Philippines – Cordillera 2024 coronation night, a regional pageant celebrating Cordilleran heritage and tourism. By welcoming these events at no cost, CCDC highlighted its support for local culture, youth wellness, and the broader community’s development.

Importance of Food Waste Measurement in School Settings

Measuring food waste in schools serves multiple important purposes. First, it highlights the scale of excess food being thrown away, raising awareness among students and staff about the value of food.Such data-driven awareness aligns with CCDC’s educational philosophy of nurturing responsible, community-conscious individuals. Second, tracking food waste helps the school identify ways to reduce disposal costs and environmental impact.

CCDC’s Commitment to Sustainability and Zero Hunger

CCDC has visibly integrated sustainability and social responsibility into its campus operations and academic agenda. This commitment is reflected in initiatives like community gardening and food security projects. For example, CCDC partnered with government agencies in the “Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay” (HAPAG) program to promote household vegetable gardens, helping local families grow their own nutritious food. By encouraging urban gardening, the college not only addresses hunger and malnutrition in the community, but also emphasizes the value of food – every tomato or bunch of pechay grown and eaten is food not wasted.

On campus, CCDC’s sustainability ethos is evident in its policies. The college enforces eco-friendly practices such as banning single-use plastics and Styrofoam in campus cafeterias and events. This policy, instituted via College Memorandum No. 7 s. 2019, encourages students and staff to use reusable food containers and water bottles, reducing the waste generated from food packaging. By eliminating disposable plastics and promoting refillable containers, CCDC attacks the waste problem at its source – an effort that indirectly also tackles food waste by creating a culture that values sustainability. While these measures target packaging waste, they set the stage for a broader conversation about reducing all forms of waste, including leftover food, in daily campus life.

Monitoring and Measuring Campus Food Waste

CCDC has taken concrete steps to measure and manage the waste generated on campus, laying the groundwork for tracking food waste from its cafeterias and events. In line with the national Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (Republic Act 9003), the college implemented a data-driven waste disposal policy that actively monitors the volume of waste generated, segregated, and disposed of on campus. This means that all waste – including leftover food scraps from canteens and faculty lunchrooms – is accounted for in CCDC’s waste monitoring system. The school maintains detailed waste disposal records through its General Services Office, and it conducts regular waste audits to track how much waste is being produced and where it goes. Such audits cover the entire waste lifecycle on campus, from the point where a student tosses an unfinished meal into a bin, to the final disposal or recycling of that waste.

CCDC’s on-campus Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) supports segregated waste collection. Biodegradable waste (such as food scraps), recyclables, and residuals are sorted at source, reflecting the college’s comprehensive approach to monitoring and reducing waste.

Through its Materials Recovery Facility and segregated bins placed around the campus, CCDC separates waste into biodegradable, recyclable, and residual categories at the source. Food waste from the cafeterias – being biodegradable – is collected separately in designated bins, which allows the school to measure how much organic waste is generated from daily food service. By tracking the weight or volume of these “biodegradable” bins over time, CCDC can identify trends (for instance, if certain meals result in more leftovers) and work on solutions to minimize that waste. The waste tracking is comprehensive: quarterly self-monitoring reports (SMRs) submitted to environmental authorities show that CCDC measures the volume of waste generated across all departments and facilities. This includes not only general trash but also specific streams like food waste, used cooking oil from canteen kitchens, and even electronic waste, ensuring nothing is overlooked. In fact, CCDC’s reports for 2024 demonstrate that waste is measured and tracked in all operational areas of the college and reported regularly, underscoring a culture of accountability in waste management.

Data, Outcomes, and Benefits of Waste Tracking

While CCDC’s public statements do not yet provide specific figures for “food waste” alone, the college’s comprehensive waste monitoring program has yielded positive outcomes that hint at success in controlling all waste streams. According to CCDC’s 2024 Self-Monitoring Reports, the college maintained full compliance with national waste management requirements throughout the year. All campus waste storage and disposal facilities passed inspections with no reported violations or improper accumulation – a strong indication that even organic waste like food scraps are being handled promptly and properly. Notably, the school ensured that items like used vegetable oil from campus food services were properly accounted for and disposed of through accredited handlers, reflecting a responsible approach even to by-products of food preparation[15]. These efforts show that CCDC’s system is not just tracking waste for the sake of data, but actively using that information to meet environmental standards and prevent pollution.

Finally, measuring and reducing food waste supports CCDC’s social responsibility goals. Though not formally announced yet, such ideas are a natural extension of CCDC’s existing outreach – like the Panbadangan Project that provides nutritious meals to students in a remote community while boosting local farmers’ livelihoods. In the long run, the data gathered from campus food waste monitoring can guide CCDC in launching targeted campaigns (for instance, a “Clean Plate Challenge” or composting workshops) that further reduce waste and enhance food security awareness among students.

Building a Culture of Sustainability: Next Steps and Call to Action

CCDC’s current policies and actions lay a strong foundation for sustainable campus dining and waste reduction. Moving forward, the college is poised to deepen its commitment by possibly setting explicit food waste reduction goals as part of its sustainability roadmap. This could mean introducing composting for cafeteria waste, conducting studies on plate waste to adjust serving sizes, or organizing donation drives for excess food. Given CCDC’s track record of proactive environmental stewardship – from creating a dedicated Sustainable Development and Linkages Office to extending green policies to all its suppliers and partners– it is likely only a matter of time before food waste prevention becomes an even more prominent focus.