Written by Shaira Jane Ongyod
On October 8, 2025, the University of Baguio (UB) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) formally entered into a partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing held at the University of Baguio. The agreement marks the official start of the Reading and Tutorial Reformation Program (RTRP)—an initiative designed to enhance the literacy and learning skills of the residents of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) and the Regional Haven Home for Women and Girls.
Key Officials who attended the MOA signing on the Reading and Tutorial Reformation Program
The event gathered key officials from both institutions. Representing DSWD-CAR were Regional Director Dr. Maria A. Catbagan-Aplaten, Division Chief of the Protective Service Division Ms. Amelyn P. Cabrera, along with several social workers, teachers, and agency representatives. The University of Baguio was represented by UB President Dr. Javier Herminio D. Bautista, Director of the UB Linkages Office Ms. Melanie Saro, UB High School Principal Dr. Violeta F. Apiles, and members of the UBHS faculty.
During the ceremony, both organizations reaffirmed their shared goal of promoting education as a key component in youth rehabilitation and reintegration, directly supporting SDG 4 – Quality Education. The DSWD-CAR Regional Director highlighted the importance of collaboration with educational institutions like UB in creating opportunities for personal growth and skill development among the youth. Through this partnership, education becomes not only a tool for learning but also a path toward rebuilding confidence, self-worth, and purpose.
The University of Baguio underscored that the partnership reflects its strong commitment to community engagement and inclusive education, aligning with SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities. Dr. Bautista also conveyed the university’s openness to accommodating future scholars from RRCY and Safe Haven who aspire to pursue higher education. This initiative represents UB’s dedication to empowering learners from all walks of life and ensuring that education remains accessible to every individual, regardless of circumstance or background.
The Reading and Tutorial Reformation Program (RTRP) will run for two months, offering structured literacy sessions, core subject tutorials, and values-based integration. These activities aim to strengthen both academic competencies and moral character. The sessions will be facilitated by selected UBHS faculty members, in close coordination with DSWD-CAR social workers, teachers, and support staff, reflecting the spirit of SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals.
Beyond academics, the RTRP promotes SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions by supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of the youth and women under DSWD care. By combining education with compassion, the program nurtures hope and stability, fostering a renewed sense of belonging and self-sufficiency. Participants are guided not only in reading and comprehension but also in developing essential life values such as discipline, empathy, and resilience—skills vital for their reintegration into society.
This collaboration between UB and DSWD-CAR exemplifies how education and social welfare initiatives can work hand in hand to achieve meaningful impact. Through shared responsibility, both institutions demonstrate that learning is a continuous process that extends beyond the classroom, capable of transforming lives and communities.
The Reading and Tutorial Reformation Program (RTRP) fully embodies the spirit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by transforming education into a bridge toward empowerment, equality, and progress. It recognizes that education is more than a tool for academic success—it is a pathway to dignity, inclusion, and personal growth. By providing access to quality learning opportunities for youth and women in rehabilitation, the program supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) and ensures that learning becomes a foundation for self-sufficiency and renewed purpose.
At the same time, the Reading and Tutorial Reformation Program reflects SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by extending equal opportunities to those who have been marginalized, giving them the chance to rebuild their lives and actively contribute to their communities. The collaboration between the University of Baguio and DSWD-CAR exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)—demonstrating how collective effort between education and government sectors can bring about lasting, meaningful change.
Together, these institutions reaffirm their commitment to shaping a compassionate, educated, and inclusive society. Their joint initiative stands as proof that when education and empathy unite, barriers are broken, lives are transformed, and a brighter, more sustainable future becomes possible for all.
Explore the website of DSWD Cordillera Administrative Region for more information at https://car.dswd.gov.ph/
