TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Caraga, in collaboration with various government agencies, successfully conducted the information, education and communication campaign dubbed as “Higher Education Caravan 2023,” as the 3rd and final leg in the region, which was hosted by the North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU) main campus in Tandag City on September 21, 2023.

The event was actively participated by the stakeholders, student government officers, and faculty advisers from different institutions such as NEMSU-main campus in Tandag City, NEMSU-Cantilan campus, NEMSU-San Miguel campus, NEMSU-Bislig campus, Saint Theresa College Inc., and Northern Mindanao Colleges Inc.

The campaign is tailored to protect the higher education students and school campuses through increased information drive and campaigns of the government’s programs on how to combat society's ill problems, including the proliferation of illegal drugs in the academe. 

Dr. Criseldo C. Calinawan, CHED Caraga education supervisor, emphasized in  his message that the conduct of the event is an imperative initiative designed to address the critical issues that compromise the well-being, safety, and education of the students.

“The event aligns seamlessly from neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development,” Dr. Calinawan said.

Resource speaker from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga chief and regional information officer Dindo Abellanosa elaborated on some inputs on addressing the drug menace, as he mentioned, the conduct of random drug testing can indeed help solve the ill problem in the institution. He also lauded the NEMSU Tandag City for their plan to implement such activity in the campus.

Abellanosa elaborated on Adbokasiya Laban sa Iligal na Droga (ALAB),  a PDEA program that served as a front-line strategy in combating the pervasive problem on illegal drug use in the country.

A representative from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Office, Imi Louda Espina tackled the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan or BIDA program of the agency. At the same time, the speaker from the Philippine National Police (PNP)  Surigao del Sur Police provincial information officer, PMajor Ely Flor Breviescas talked about the role of law enforcement in the society.

Meanwhile, Dave Villarin, chief officer of the information management branch of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), briefed the participants on national security awareness who provided broader and realistic insights and comprehension on security challenges, specifically communist recruitment among higher education students as vulnerable prey. 

The Higher Education Caravan 2023 kicked off in Butuan City on August 25, in the presence of HEI students from Butuan City and the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. The roadshow continued on September 5, 2023, as Surigao City served as the venue of the 2nd leg with participants from Surgao City and the provinces of  Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands. (NGPB, PIA-Surigao del Sur)