26-29 August 2025
The Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) program at Benguet State University (BSU) was evaluated by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) during the online accreditation 2nd survey visit held on August 26-29, 2025. The event aimed to assess the program’s improvement since the last survey visit.
The accreditation process began with an opening program on August 26, 2025, where BSU officials emphasized the importance of this survey visit.
VP for Academic Affairs Janet P. Pablo highlighted the significance of the accreditation as part of the University’s continuing pursuit of academic excellence and institutional improvement, especially for the BPA.
“The university will support the accreditation as it is a vital process that allows us to reflect once again, evaluate, and improve. It is through this lens of continuous improvement that we aim to foster a learning environment for innovation, integrity, and inclusiveness to thrive in the different areas we evaluate for today,” she said.
BSU President Kenneth A. Laruan also emphasized that initial assessments prior to the accreditation are important to identify the strengths and areas that are needed to improve.
“It is a significant activity that we should do regularly simply because accreditation affects our collective effort to ensure that our students receive the best learning experience possible grounded in excellence, innovation, and service,” he stated.
Following their messages, Office for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Director Joana I. Alafag and College of Public Administration and Governance (CPAG) Dean Gretchen Gaye C. Ablaza introduced the BSU officials and the Local Task Force, respectively. Alafag also introduced the AACCUP Accreditor’s Team Leader Christine B. Tenorio of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology. Tenorio then introduced other ACCUP accreditors, including Bernadeth P. De Guzman of Mindoro State University and Daryl L. Superio from Northern Iloilo State University Tenorio also presented the purpose of the survey visit.
The four-day survey visit focused on review and validation of program documents, a virtual facility tour, and interviews among the CPAG faculty, alumni, students, and stakeholders. The program was evaluated in areas of Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives; Faculty; Curriculum and Instruction; Support to Students; Research; Extension and Community Involvement; Library; Physical Plant and Facilities; Laboratories; and Administration.
At the closing program held on August 29, 2025, the accreditors gave their impressions, highlighting the program’s best practices and providing recommendations for further improvement. Tenorio and Guzman also lauded the dedication and commitment of the CPAG faculty members and the administration throughout the accreditation process.
This was followed by the commitment and words of gratitude delivered by Laruan, assuring the University will come up with strategies to address the recommendations provided by the accreditors.
In her closing remarks, Ablaza expressed gratitude to the accreditors for sharing their valuable time, insights, and recommendations through the accreditation process.
“Your thorough evaluation and constructive feedback will certainly guide us in strengthening our program, ensuring that we remain responsive to the demands of public service and governance in the 21st century,” she said. She added that accreditation is not just compliance, but an opportunity for collaboration to sustain a quality education.//EBawayan