Commission on Higher Education (CHED) commissioner Jo Mark Libre (extreme left) is with Cong. Edgar Chatto (2nd from left), Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University President Dr. Nelson Cabral (2nd from right) and CHED Regional Director Dr. Maura Consolacion Cristobal (extreme right) during a courtesy call in Balilihan. The courtesy call was done on April 28, 2022. Contributed photo

The new commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Jo Mark Libre along with CHED Regional Director Dr. Maura Consolacion Cristobal paid a courtesy visit to Cong. Edgar Chatto in Balilihan on April 28, 2022, to discuss key programs related to higher education, according to a press release from the solon’s office.

Discussions among the CHED officials and Chatto involved House Bill 7695, which seeks to establish the provincial office of CHED in Bohol.

Filed by Chatto in May 2020, the legislative measure seeks to prevent unnecessary expenses, effort, and waste of time among Boholanos who seek to transact with the said national agency.

Currently, Boholanos need to visit Cebu City in order to transact with the CHED.

Sen. Joel Villanueva filed a counterpart bill at the Senate. It passed in 3rd and final reading early this year.

Moreover, Chatto, in the same meeting, also explored with the CHED officials, support to private educational institutions here.

Amid the pandemic, Chatto was among those who pushed for availability of economic stimulus packages for private schools.

Chatto had previously mentioned the need to support private schools offering basic, secondary and tertiary education affected by the restrictions brought about by the pandemic.

Also joining the said meeting were Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University President Dr. Nelson Cabral and Bohol Island State University (BISU) officials led by Dr. Regucivilla Pobar, reports say.