16 October 2026
MALOLOS CITY, BULACAN — Benguet State University (BSU) strengthened its institutional governance, academic support systems, research and extension partnerships, and administrative operations during the 222nd Regular Meeting of the Board of Regents (BOR) at Bulacan State University in Malolos City, Bulacan.
Chaired by CHED Commissioner Myrna Q. Mallari, the meeting brought together members of the Board, including BSU President and BOR Vice Chair Kenneth A. Laruan, private sector representatives, regional directors, and faculty and student regents. The Board acted on key policies, operational frameworks, personnel matters, and agreements supporting the University’s academic and development priorities.
Board approves key institutional policies and operational manuals
Among the significant actions was the approval of four major institutional measures: the University Resilient Innovative and Sustainable Edible (URISE) Landscaping Plan 2026, the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) Manual, the BSU CCTV System Policy, and the BSU Drug-Free Campus Policy.
The URISE Landscaping Plan provides a five-year framework for developing climate-resilient, productive, and ecologically restorative edible and riparian landscapes across BSU’s three campuses. The plan promotes food security, biodiversity conservation, riverbank stabilization, and the use of campus landscapes as living laboratories for instruction, research, and extension.
The CODI Manual establishes procedures for preventing, reporting, investigating, and resolving sexual harassment and gender-based sexual harassment cases, with safeguards for due process, confidentiality, and the rights of all parties. Meanwhile, the CCTV System Policy sets standards for the responsible operation and management of surveillance systems, including data privacy, security, footage retention, and authorized access. The Drug-Free Campus Policy strengthens institutional measures for drug prevention and awareness, authorized testing, intervention, rehabilitation, and accountability.
The Board also approved the University Business Affairs Manual of Operations, which establishes a common framework for the transparent and accountable management of the University’s income-generating projects.
To facilitate the timely implementation of externally funded projects, the Board further delegated to the University President, for the remaining months of 2026, the authority to approve subsequent Annual Procurement Plans and amendments for duly authorized and funded projects under Cluster 7 (Trust Funds), subject to applicable budgeting, procurement, and documentation requirements.
Board acts on personnel and academic matters
The Board approved the appointment of the Chief Administrative Officer of the Administrative Services Division. The Board likewise approved the designation of members of the University Administrative Council, and of the College Secretary of the College of Medicine.
It also approved the renewal of the study leave and scholarship and international engagement of faculty members in Germany and Japan.
The Board further confirmed 61 appointments of hired personnel with Salary Grade 18 and below, as reflected in the University’s reports on appointments issued to the Civil Service Commission.
Research, extension, and institutional partnerships strengthened
The Board confirmed agreements supporting student internships, clinical training, scholarships, local collaboration, research partnerships, and extension programs.
Under the Student Internship Program in the Philippines, agreements with 13 partner institutions were confirmed to provide host training establishments for student interns beginning Academic Year 2026–2027. The Board also confirmed contracts of affiliation with health facilities to support supervised clinical training and practical experience for students.
Three local collaboration agreements—with IPM Book Publishing, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Montessori, Inc., and the Philippine Association for Language Teaching, Inc.—were confirmed. These partnerships support the publication of faculty instructional materials, inclusive education and student support, and collaboration in language teaching and academic conferences.
Scholarship agreements with the Commission on Higher Education–Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (CHED-UniFAST), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), SN Aboitiz Power-Magat Inc., and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. and HEDCOR, Inc. were also confirmed.
In research and extension, the Board confirmed agreements with partner agencies and institutions, including the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Agricultural Research, the Commission on Higher Education, the Department of Science and Technology–Cordillera Administrative Region, the University of the Philippines Los Baños, local government units, and other academic and development partners. These agreements cover research projects, technology development, capacity-building, community-based extension, sustainable livelihoods, and policy research.
Other matters for further action
While the Board approved several major institutional measures, it deferred action on selected proposals requiring further review or documentation. These actions reflect the Board’s continuing role in balancing institutional development with regulatory compliance, legal review, and accountability.