On July 22–23, 2026, the College of Social Sciences (CSS) celebrated its 5th founding anniversary under the theme “History, Peace, and Autonomy: CSS @ 5.”
This year’s anniversary celebrates the college’s fortitude and growth. Stanley F. Anongos, Jr., former Dean of CSS, reflected on the college’s journey, comparing its early days to a premature infant that faced initial struggles but continued to thrive towards being an impactful academic institution. In the commitment to #SDG4 (Quality Education), the college also celebrated the pioneering cohort of graduates from both BS Psychology and BA History programs, many of whom achieved academic distinction.
The opening day featured an awarding ceremony for academic achievers for Academic Year 2025–2026 from the BS Psychology and BA History programs, alongside exemplary students and faculty members.
The awarding ceremony was followed by a lecture on Cordillera Autonomy delivered by Sir Mark Joshua S. Balao-as, a faculty member from the Department of History and Philosophy (DOHP). The morning session concluded with a traditional community dance joined by students and faculty, a celebration of cultural heritage that aligns with SDG#10 (Reduced Inequalities) by promoting local identity and social cohesion.
The afternoon session included faculty and staff introductions per office, and an orientation on college policies led by Jeff Feleciano, Chairperson of the Department of Political Science, Economics, and Development Studies (DPEDS). The day wrapped up with a General Assembly and socialization activity led by college student leaders.
Held at the DSG Hall, the second day centered on research presentations and dialogue on Cordillera Autonomy advancing #SDG16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The morning session presented initial findings from 11 studies across two projects funded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU):
Project 1: Transitioning ‘Former Combatants’: Government Aid to CPLA-CBA Members (5 studies)
Project 2: Promoting Indigenous Knowledge Systems on Peace Process and Governance System (PEACE-IKS) (6 studies)
In the afternoon, representatives from diverse sectors gathered for a forum on Regionalization and Regional Autonomy. This collaborative initiative by various university offices, including the College of Social Sciences, aims to have a healthy discussion in pursuit of an authentic Cordillera Autonomy. This exemplifies #SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by bringing together academia, government, and civil society to conduct discourse toward authentic self-determination and governance for the Cordillera region.//Maribelle T. Apnoyan-College Information Officer
