Reaching the Unreached: How CCDC Brings Education to Far-Flung Communities

For 32 years, Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) has stood by its founding mission of “Bringing Education Closer to the People.” This is not just a slogan—it is a commitment backed by deliberate, sustained action, especially for students from geographically isolated, low-income, and indigenous communities in the Cordillera region.

A key example of this commitment is CCDC’s annual Career Guidance and Marketing campaign, which actively reaches out to remote public high schools and out-of-school youth. The goal is simple but profound: to make higher education visible and accessible to those who need it most. This outreach effort plays a vital role in helping students from marginalized sectors overcome barriers to entry—whether financial, geographical, or social.

In 2024, this initiative helped CCDC exceed its targeted 13% enrollment of students from marginalized groups. In fact, 35.79% of new college freshmen—1,406 out of 3,928—came from indigenous groups and farming communities.

This marks a significant achievement, reaffirming the school’s inclusive admissions strategy and its capacity to engage underserved populations in meaningful ways.

“Since the lifting of pandemic restrictions, we have worked harder to reach communities where students often assume that college is out of reach,” said Registrar Dina P. Amdos. “Our August 2024 enrollment increased by 20.51% from the previous year, which shows the impact of meeting students where they are”

These efforts are not limited to promotion. CCDC also supports enrolled students through scholarship programs, psychosocial services, and academic support under its Ayowan Program—a holistic initiative that embodies care and compassion for learners from all backgrounds.

Through consistent outreach, strategic planning, and community partnerships, CCDC ensures that education is not a privilege reserved for a few but a right accessible to many. By actively going beyond its campus to serve far-flung communities, the college continues to live up to its legacy of inclusion and opportunity—one student, one village, one future at a time.

“CAREER GUIDANCE”

Bokod National High School, Bokod, Benguet

Kapangan National High School, Kapangan, Benguet

Kapangan Central National High School, Kapangan, Benguet

Datakan Integrated School, Kapangan, Benguet

“SOUND BODY, SOUND MIND”

Sound Body, Sound Mind is both an initiative of the Sports Department and Extensions Services which aims to promote grassroots sports while also promoting the services and programs of the CCDC. This is in:

Balili, Mankayan, Benguet