Story and Photos By Georgene Quilaton-Tambiga
August 6, 2025–Dr. Raul Alvarez, REE, Ed.D, CESO III, Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education Negros Island Region, personally held a forum with the displaced students who have now become Thomasians under the College Department of Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos, Inc.
On behalf of Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, CHED Chairperson, Dr. Alvarez explained to the students the reason why their previous school could no longer accept students. He added that CHED is now coordinating with the existing Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in San Carlos City so that they could smoothly transition and graduate on time.
Of the 25 displaced students, 20 attended the forum at the CST-R College of Business.
“We do not want you to stop schooling just because your school closed. CHED wants you to gain the required competencies so that you can grow and become capable citizens,” Dr. Alvarez told the students, who are now taking BS in Entrepreneurship.
The regional director assured the students that those who enjoyed CHED scholarships previously shall continue to do so and that CST-R shall facilitate the transfer of their subsidies.
He encouraged those who are not yet scholars to apply through the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program once the online portal opens. The schedule of which will be announced through the CHED Facebook Page.
