In a Special Meeting on November 26, 2020 of the Benguet State University (BSU) Board of Regents, Dr. Felipe S. Comila was selected as the seventh BSU President through BOR Res. No. 165 s. 2020. He took his oath of office right after the special meeting officiated by CHED Commissioner Lilian A. De Las Llagas.

Dr. Comila was director of the Institute of Public Administration before being appointed as the University President relieving Dir. Danilo B. Bose, the OIC President of BSU since July 2020. He expressed his gratitude for being given the opportunity to serve and shared his plans for BSU.  

“As I pledged in my vision, mission and development goals, we have to pursue the internationalization of this University and follow the CARES (Challenge innovation; Advance technology and facilities; Revitalize administration; Engender partnership; and Serve to sustain intergenerational roles),” he said.

He added that he sees a bright future specially for BSU graduates and to have good graduates who have the heart for service, attention must be given to faculty and staff. However, he emphasized that addressing the COVID 19 Pandemic must come first.

“We have to continue following the protocols set by the government on we heal and recover as one, we have to sustain the health and wellness of employees and students and flexible teaching modalities, we sustain work-from-home,” said Dr. Comila.

The BSU President selection process began in August 2020 with the submission of documents by five candidates including Dr. Maria Luz D. Fang-asan, Dr. Jimmy Fong, Dr. Joel V. Lubrica, Dr. Serafin Ngohayon and of course, Dr. Felipe S. Comila. A public forum was held on October 22, 2020 where the candidates presented their vision, mission and goals for BSU and where they answered questions from representatives of the faculty members, administrators, students and alumni.

The public forum was followed by a panel interview with the selection committee whose members are: Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro, Executive Director, CHED Central Office, Chairperson; Dr. Cecilia N. Gascon, President, Bulacan State University, PASUC Representative; Dr. Jimmy Catanes, CHEDRO Representative; Atty. Leonardo Lee Lawana, Private Sector Representative; and Prof. Vicente G. Panagan, Jr., Academic Sector Representative.

Finally, another round of interviews with the BSU Board of Regents (BOR) happened during the November 26, 2020 Special Meeting. The BSU BOR later on voted for the next BSU President. The members of the BSU BOR are: CHED Commissioner Lilian A. De Las Llagas (Chair), Hon. Milagros A. Rimando, Regional Director, NEDA-CAR; Hon. Nancy A. Bantog, Regional Director, DOST-CAR; Hon. Cameron P. Odsey, Regional Executive Director, DA-CAR; Hon. Delmar O. Cariño, Representative, Private Sector; Hon. Eric Go Yap, Benguet Caretaker Congressman; Hon. Imelda P. Degay, President, Faculty Club Federation; Hon. Rolly Ben M. Cuyasen, Student Regent; and Hon Florante P. Bela-o, Alumni Regent.