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The Commission on Higher Education – Caraga Regional Office (CHED Caraga), led by the new Regional Director Dr. George M. Colorado, conducted a series of on-site visits to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) affected by Supertyphoon Odette when it passed across multiple provinces in the Caraga Region on December 16, 2021. The series of visits were conducted from January 12 to February 1, 2022, and spanned twelve (12) HEIs.

Accompanied by Education Supervisors II Dr. Frederick Amihan, Dr. Criseldo Calinawan, and Mr. Amy Saavedra, Director Colorado conducted inspections of the damaged areas of the HEI campuses and met with key officials of each HEI to assess the impact on facilities, equipment, students, faculty and personnel, and their families.

Director Colorado requested HEIs to submit their Post-Disaster Assessment Report, the data of which will serve as bases in creating CHED priorities for intervention such as designing post-disaster programs, monitoring progress in implementing recovery and reconstruction programs, and providing mental health and spiritual guidance for disaster risk reduction schemes. This is conceptually designed to address the needs of HEI employees and students severely affected by the typhoon.

The HEIs visited were as follows: Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT) Main, Mainit, Del Carmen, and Malimono Campuses; Saint Paul University Surigao (SPUS); Surigao Education Center (SEC); Northeastern Mindanao Colleges (NEMCO); Surigao Doctors’ College (SDC); Siargao Island Institute of Technology (SIIT); Don Jose Ecleo Memorial Foundation College of Science and Technology (DJEMFCST); and Bucas Grande Foundation College (BGFC).