Benguet State University (BSU) officially joined other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on July 17, 2025 to establish the Consortium for Peace, Justice and Security (CPJS).

The CPJS is a collaborative platform designed to advance high-impact and innovative research and strategies focused on understanding, preventing, and addressing various aspects of the criminal justice.

The signing ceremony, held at the BSU-Office of the President, began with an overview of the Rights2Life Project presented by Darlyn D. Tagarino, a faculty member of Business Administration at the University of the Cordilleras (UC). The project is a collaborative initiative between UC and Ghent University in Belgium and is funded by VLIR-OUS, focused on promoting a responsive criminal justice system in the Philippines. Tagarino, who serves as the Focal person of the project’s Domain 5, “A System transformation multi-stakeholder partnership,” presented initiatives that led to the creation of the CPJS.

Following the presentation, BSU President Kenneth A. Laruan signed the MOA, witnessed by UC VP for Academics and Research Ariel N. Pumecha.

The MOA outlines the consortium’s objectives, organizational structure, and other collaborative agreements of the member institutions. It also highlights benefits for members, such as participation in consortium-led activities.

Laruan emphasized the important role of this collaboration in promoting peace and security within the region.

“Peace and security are important – a prerequisite for successful community development. Without a stable and safe environment, economic progress will be hampered,” he stated, expressing his hope that the consortium will further strengthen partnerships among all HEIs.

Pumecha also expressed gratitude to BSU for accepting the collaboration.

This initiative is expected to significantly contribute to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal #16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions and is aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.//EBawayan