Article by May Cabaning & Lovely Bolante (SSU-CHED Project Staff)
QUEZON CITY, Philippines — In a significant step toward promoting equitable access to higher education, project leaders from three state universities presented the findings of the Paglaum kag Pagdaug Project to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commission en Banc during a face-to-face meeting held at the CHED Central Office, Quezon City, on March 24, 2025.
Prof. Sherrie Ann Cananua-Labid of Samar State University (SSU), Asso. Prof. Keneth G. Bayani of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), and Asso. Prof. Marcos Monderin of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) led the presentation of their collaborative research titled “Empowering Equity Target Students: Enhancing Access and Success in State Universities and Colleges across Regions I, VIII, and XII, Philippines.”
The study, supported by CHED, investigates how institutional policies, student support systems, and stakeholder perspectives impact the academic journey of Equity Target Students (ETS). By analyzing practices related to admission, retention, and completion in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), the research seeks to inform evidence-based policies aimed at reducing barriers to higher education for underserved and marginalized student groups.
“This project reaffirms our belief that inclusive education must be intentional, strategic, and rooted in data,” Dr. Labid emphasized. “By understanding the specific needs of our equity target students, we can craft more effective policies and support systems that truly create pathways for their success.”
The project team conducted a comprehensive analysis of equity dimensions in institutional policies, identified best practices, and proposed targeted interventions to improve ETS access, persistence, and graduation rates. These include the adoption of context-sensitive support strategies, proactive policy reforms, and collaborative mechanisms among SUCs.
“Our findings show that while many universities have promising initiatives in place, there’s still a need for more cohesive and inclusive policy frameworks. What we’re offering are actionable insights that can empower institutions to better serve the most vulnerable sectors of our student population,” Dr. Bayani noted.
Furthermore, Dr. Monderin highlighted the collaborative nature of the project stating, “This effort shows the power of inter-regional partnerships in surfacing the diverse experiences of our students across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Together, we can design systems that work for all.”
The CHED Commission en Banc welcomed the presentation and lauded the researchers’ efforts in contributing to national goals on inclusive education. The commissioners expressed interest in the policy recommendations and emphasized the importance of scaling such initiatives across all higher education institutions.
As the project moves toward dissemination and policy advocacy, the research team is hopeful that their work will inspire a wave of reforms to further democratize access to quality tertiary education in the Philippines.