The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) successfully conducted a cluster reorientation on the Scholarship Program for Coconut Farmers and Their Families (CoScho) last August 9, 2024. Held at the Farm at Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City, South Cotabato, the event aimed to refresh the stakeholders’ understanding of the program’s guidelines and address implementation challenges.
Hosted by the CHED Region 12 Office, the reorientation brought together representatives from the CHED Regional Offices in Mindanao and their partner Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). All eight (8) participating HEIs from CHED Caraga – Saint Vincent de Paul Diocesan College (SVDPDC), Saint Michael College of Caraga (SMCC), Caraga State University Main and Cabadbaran City campuses (CSU), North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU) Main and Lianga campuses, Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT), and Surigao del Norte State University Main Campus (SNSU Main) – were present.
Ms. Ma. Lyn L. Reales, Education Program Specialist II, welcomed the participants with Mr. Joel B. Oclarit, the Regional Manager of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Caraga, and emphasized the importance of the program in uplifting the lives of coconut farmers and their families.
The event aligned with Republic Act 7722, or the Higher Education Act of 1994, and Republic Act 11524, or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, as well as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). Ms. Cynthia Q. Hernandez, OIC Chief Education Program Specialist of the Office of Student Development and Services (OSDS), provided a comprehensive overview of the CoScho program’s implementing guidelines. An open forum followed to clarify concerns on coconut farmers’ qualifications, documentary requirements, and eligibility criteria.
During the open forum various issues regarding program implementation were raised, including questions about program shifting by grantees, the proposal to involve PCA in the application process, and among others.
With the successful conduct of this reorientation, CHED and its partners reaffirm their commitment to empowering coconut farmers and their families through accessible and quality higher education. By addressing challenges, the CoScho Program is a vital step towards a more prosperous and sustainable coconut industry.
CHED Caraga extends its sincerest gratitude to CHEDRO XII for their warm hospitality and to the eight (8) HEIs from Caraga for their support and active participation in this endeavor.