Empowering Women at CCDC

“I never thought I’d make it this far.” These words echo the journey of countless young women from the Cordilleras who once saw college as an impossible dream. Take, for example, a farmer’s daughter from Benguet, who grew up helping her family make ends meet. Today, she steps onto the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) campus with confidence – a scholar, a mentee, and a future leader. Her story, and many like it, are made possible by CCDC’s unwavering commitment to accessible education and women’s empowerment.

Women at CCDC are not only entering college in greater numbers, but also finishing their studies at very high rates. In fact, the increasing number of women earning degrees is viewed as a success indicator of CCDC’s support systems and inclusive culture. The Dean of the College of Criminal Justice Education, Dr. Dennis Butag noted, for example, a growing influx of female students in traditionally male-dominated programs like criminology, accompanied by strong graduation rates – a trend attributed to improved support and conditions for women in those fields. Across various disciplines, female students are excelling.

At CCDC, opening doors for female learners isn’t just a policy – it’s a mission lived daily. For over 30 years, the college has stood by its promise of “Bringing Education Closer to the People,” extending opportunities to those who need them most. This mission shines through in the latest data from 2024: from scholarship grants to student counseling, the numbers tell a story of inclusivity, support, and hope. CCDC’s President Dr. Sherry Junette Tagle often reminds the community that “education is not merely about academic excellence—it is about equity, compassion, and empowerment”, and the college’s programs for women embody exactly that.

CCDC leaders often say that behind every statistic is a name and a face – a real person whose life has changed. Perhaps it’s Ana, who was once on the verge of dropping out because of financial strain, but now proudly holds a CHED-TES scholarship and carries a lighter load (both in tuition and in her heart). Or Lea, who battled anxiety in her first year until she joined an Ayowan peer support group and discovered she wasn’t alone. There’s also Mari, a young mother who benefitted from CCDC’s flexible policies and childcare facilities, proving to her own daughter that education has no expiration date. These are composite portraits, but they reflect the very real journeys of CCDC students. As one female graduate said on her graduation day, “CCDC didn’t just give me a diploma – they gave me the confidence to use it.”

In the end, the story of women’s access to education at Cordillera Career Development College is a story of community and resilience. It’s the scholarships easing burdens so women can learn fearlessly. It’s the mentors and counselors lighting the way during dark times, reminding students to keep going. It’s a college president who greets students in the hallway and a culture that says you belong here. With every empowered female student, CCDC inches closer to its vision of being “the center of quality education for culturally diverse and global learners” – a vision where no dream is too distant and no barrier too great for the women determined to rise. And as these empowered women go on to uplift their families and communities, the ripple effect of CCDC’s support will be felt for generations to come.

Inspiring, inclusive, and driven by a warm community spirit – CCDC is turning what once were distant dreams into vibrant realities for women across the Cordilleras. The message to every young woman with a dream is loud and clear: here, you are not just a student ID – you are a story in the making, and we are here to help you write it.

Together, Let’s End Violence Against Women!

This November 25 to December 12, the CCDC joins the nation in the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), fostering awareness and action for a future free from violence and inequality.

The recurring campaign theme for 2022-2027 is “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines,” with the 2024 sub- theme, “VAW Bigyang Wakas, Ngayon na ang Oras!” Let’s stand as one community, amplifying our voices against all forms of abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.

💡 What can YOU do?

• Educate yourself and others about women’s rights.
• Report cases of violence to local authorities or hotlines.
• Empower survivors by supporting organizations and initiatives that advocate for women.
• Engage in conversations that challenge harmful gender norms.

📢 Follow us here for updates, activities, and ways to get involved in the campaign. Your participation can make a difference!

Together, we can create a safe, equitable, and empowering environment for all. 💜

#EndVAW #SafeSpacesForAll #UNiTEPhilippines #CCDCcares

Graduation Rates among Women Increases with Improved Student Services

In December 2023, 65.19% of the graduates were notably females from the different collegiate programs to include criminology, social work, teacher education, nursing, midwifery, law and business.

“In the criminology program, the department has noticed an increased number of female enrollees, with improved completion or graduation rates which we also attribute to the improved working conditions of women in the field of law enforcement,”  states Dean Dennis M. Butag, College of the Criminal Justice Education.

The increasing number of women graduates may also be indicative of the relative success and improvement in women participation in various programs that ensures the academic success of all students.  

 “While it is sad that our office still receive cases on violence against children and women, we have noted that more of these students, most especially women, are now more comfortable and open when it comes to seeking help and recognizing the signs of anxiety and depression”, shares Michelle Palongdias, Student Development Officer.

Alongside, Annabelle B. Gondales, VP Administration also shares that there is an improved efficiency in the reporting of cases and incidences as CCDC has strengthened its strategies in protecting the interest of parties involved in harassment cases, including those reporting these incidents.  This according to her, helps encourage parties to trust the systems in place to ensure a safe learning environment for all.

Institutionalizing Work-Life Balance in the Academe

For the past 31 years, CCDC prides itself in being a second home of students and of its employees.  Since then it has established various flexible practices that allow employees opportunities that will help them as they start their young families.

Aligned to the national laws and labor guidelines, CCDC is fully compliant with providing benefits for maternity, paternity, special leave benefits for women, solo parent leave, leave for victims of violence against women and their children.  In addition, CCDC provides more family-oriented benefits to include educational benefits for its employees and educational benefits for direct children to assure employees that dependents can avail of free tuition fee from Nursery to Grade 12, including some college degree programs.

In 2023 alone, 8 employees availed of maternity and paternity benefits which included extended leave days upon the request of the employees were granted by the school.

In collaboration with the CCDC Birthing Clinic, a duly licensed birthing facility used by the BS Midwifery program, child rearing and breastfeeding facility is provided and readily available for breastfeeding mothers, both students and employees.  

For toddlers, the CCDC Elementary Laboratory School Reading and Play room is also available for toddlers who are interested to play and read.  

All these special privileges are free of charge and have been enjoyed by employees for several years.

Empowering Global Learners and Promoting Equity

This trend continued in 2023, with an even higher percentage of women from first-generation backgrounds entering college. Wherein the proportion increased to 48.89%, with 71 out of 110 (64.54%) first-generation female students starting their college journey.

Founded in 1993, Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) became the first private higher education institution among the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Apayao, and Kalinga, initially offering computer and vocational courses to over 100 students.

As it aims to be a center of quality education for diverse, global learners, providing holistic, accessible, and inclusive education to develop responsible global citizens and leaders. Committed to gender equality, CCDC goes beyond government mandates to integrate Gender and Development (GAD) in all its operations, aligning with the Philippines’ goals for inclusivity.

CCDC’s efforts include supporting first-generation female students, improving access, increasing senior female academics, and fostering a safe, inclusive environment. The institution’s gender and development initiatives promote equity, highlighting women’s contributions across various sectors and ensuring fair access to resources.

Proportion

The increasing proportion of first-generation female students at CCDC highlights a significant shift toward greater educational access for women from families with limited higher education backgrounds. In 2022, 45.94% of women comprised the total number of students beginning a degree, with 81 out of 147 (55.10%) being first-generation female students, marking them as the first women in their families to pursue higher education, breaking barriers to education and setting a powerful example for future generations. 

Access

In 2022, CCDC saw a 2.95% increase in female student enrollment, reflecting its commitment to gender equality through an Open Admission Policy that ensures all applicants, regardless of gender, are accepted. This inclusive approach is further supported by scholarship data, with women consistently making up more than half of both external and internal scholarship recipients in 2023, demonstrating the institution’s support for female academic success.

CCDC also promotes gender equality through career guidance sessions in local high schools, encouraging young women to pursue underrepresented fields like Criminology. These efforts challenge traditional gender roles, empowering women to break barriers and contribute to social and economic development in their communities.

Participation

The high representation of female senior academic staff at CCDC—65.78% in the first half of 2023 and 66.67% in the second half—significantly advances gender equality within the institution. 

This growing female leadership reflects CCDC’s commitment to a gender-inclusive environment, where women are encouraged to take on key roles. It fosters a more diverse and equitable academic culture, benefiting both students and the broader community by challenging gender norms and creating equal opportunities for growth.

Completion

The increase in female graduates at CCDC reflects significant progress in gender equality. In 2022, women made up 63.50% of all graduates, up from 45.22% in 2021. In STEM courses, 100% of graduates were women in 2022, up from 88% in 2021, showcasing women’s growing presence in traditionally male-dominated fields.

 In Arts & Humanities/Social Sciences, female graduates rose from 33.33% in 2021 to 60.11% in 2022, indicating greater gender balance across disciplines. These trends highlight the institution’s success in empowering women and promoting gender equality in education.

Welfare

Guided by the principles of gender equity, sensitivity, non-discrimination, and human rights, CCDC integrates these values into its governance, curriculum, student services, and activities. This commitment is outlined in the CCDC Student Handbook, which emphasizes the importance of gender mainstreaming in education and the protection of students from all forms of gender-related violence, abuse, and discrimination. The policies are designed to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

The impact of these efforts is clearly evident in the student body, where the proportion of female graduates has consistently risen. In 2022, there was a 6.36% increase in women’s graduation rates, this 2023, the rate increased by 17.62%. These figures show the growing empowerment of women within the institution. 

Moreover, in 2021, 73.22% of students who accessed mentoring and counseling services were female, and in 2022, this figure remained high at 57.47%, indicating that women are actively seeking support to excel in their studies.

CCDC’s gender-responsive policies also extend to its employees. The institution offers maternity leave benefits to female staff, with six employees availing of the benefit in 2021. Additionally, CCDC supports work-life balance for all employees by providing childcare facilities. These facilities are available for both students and staff, allowing parents to bring their children to campus and access spaces where they can safely play or study. This support helps create a more inclusive environment for those balancing family and work or study commitments.

Further reinforcing its commitment to gender equality, CCDC has clear policies that protect employees and students from discrimination. These policies ensure that individuals reporting discrimination are protected from any educational or employment disadvantage, fostering a fair and supportive environment for all.

In the wider community, CCDC’s inclusive approach has had a ripple effect, encouraging students—especially women—to pursue higher education and professional development in traditionally underrepresented fields, such as science, technology, economics, and mathematics.

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DATA ON STUDENTS FIRST-GENERATION FEMALE STUDENTS

In 2023, the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) has enrolled 427 first-year
students. Graph 01 displays the proportion between Males (205) and Females (222).

Among the first-year female students, data shows that 58% are the first in their family to
pursue higher education while 42% were not the first. This data highlights the significant
proportion of students at CCDC who are breaking new ground in their families by being the first
to attend a higher education institution, suggesting a trend of increasing access to higher
education among first-generation college students.

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.

Scholarships and Grants for Women

Maternity and paternity policies

Under existing policies of CCDC, leave benefits are provided for to employees based on prevailing laws of the Philippines, specifically
a. Maternity leave
b. Paternity leave
c. Special leave benefits for women (RA 9710)
d. Solo Parent Leave (RA 8972)
e. Leave for Victims of Violence Against Women and their Children (RA 9262)

The policy is provided for in this: