Dr. Mark Raymond S. Tan, Vice President for Student Affairs and Services at the City College of Cagayan de Oro, actively participated in the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) workshop on revising policies for student affairs and services. Held at Twin Lakes Hotel Tagaytay, in Batangas, from March 19-20, 2025, the workshop aimed to update CHED Memorandum Order No. 09, series of 2013, which sets guidelines for student support programs in higher education institutions (HEIs).
Dr. Tan facilitated discussions and presented the output of one of the working groups focusing on student welfare services, a key pillar of student affairs and services. He shared, “This workshop/writeshop aims to address gaps in the implementation of student affairs programs across colleges and universities.” Likewise, he added, “By refining these policies, we can create a more consistent and effective framework for student services.”
The event gathered representatives from various sectors, including the CHED Central Office, the Philippine Association of Practitioners of Student Affairs and Services, private colleges and universities, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Commission on Human Rights, the National Council on Disability Affairs, UNIFAST, the Philippine Academy of Physicians in School Health, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the Federation of School Registrars Association.
As a member of the Philippine Association of Practitioners of Student Affairs and Services, Dr. Tan emphasized the importance of inclusive and responsive policies that empower institutions to provide holistic student development programs.
Moving forward, once the revised policy is finalized, it will undergo review and approval by the CHED Commission En Banc. Upon approval, it will be disseminated to all HEIs for public orientation and implementation.
The City College of CDO takes pride in Dr. Tan’s role in shaping national policies that enhance student support systems, ensuring learners receive the guidance and resources they need to thrive in their academic journey.