In a parallel commitment to upholding industry-validated academic standards and frameworks, Naga College Foundation, Inc. (NCF) hosted the executive and academic leadership of PLT College of Guinobatan, Inc. (PLT-CGI) for an institutional benchmarking activity on August 27, 2026, at the NCF Main Campus.
During the welcoming ceremony, Mr. Mario C. Villanueva, NCF President, reaffirmed NCF’s commitment to regional educational partnerships—highlighting the transformative impact of student-first investments in expanding and future-proofing NCF’s learning ecosystem.
President Villanueva proudly expressed to the PLT-CGI delegation that providing quality and affordable education has been a “charitable cause” of NCF for nearly 80 years, dating back to when Dr. Melchor T. Villanueva, the Founder, first opened the institution’s doors.
The Albay-based institution sought to observe NCF’s leading best practices, state-of-the-art facilities, and quality assurance mechanisms in the institutionalization of its Bachelor of Science (BS) programs in Criminology, Hospitality Management, and Information Technology (IT).
Discussing the programs’ academic policies and implementation were Dr. Marilyn F. Balares, Assistant Vice President for Tertiary Education and Dean of the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE); Dr. Anna Loretta C. Romulo, Dean of the College of Computer Studies (CCS); and Ms. Emeriel A. Tormes, Program Chairperson of BS in Hospitality Management (BSHM).
Serving as a platform for inter-institutional dialogue, the engagement also showcased NCF’s organizational management in strengthening academic governance, extension services, Student Affairs and Services (SAS), and educational technology, while pioneering top-of-the-line innovations.
Emphasizing the institution’s progressive drive toward modern pedagogy, Dr. Sheila E. Balid-Bordado, Vice President for Digital Transformation, detailed NCF’s advancements in “democratizing educational technology (EdTech) and campus-wide digital innovation” through NCF’s formidable learning infrastructures, such as the Tigers Digital Notebook, Tigers Humanoid Robots, and cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) and AI simulation assets.
Setting the foundation for student-centered services, Ms. Mary Rose G. Delovieres, Director of the Learning Resource Center (LRC), detailed library policies and systems, along with Ms. Marivic V. Balance, Director of Office of Student Affairs and Services (OSAS), who presented student welfare programs and National Service Training Program (NSTP) integration.
Complementing this, Mr. Nikko N. Ricafrente, Coordinator of Community Extension Services, highlighted NCF’s outreach initiatives designed to create a sustainable societal impact throughout the community and partner entities.
The PLT-CGI delegation, headed by Ms. Hariette Opeña, College President, and Dr. Eisenhower A. Adaggan, Vice President for Academic Affairs, expressed deep gratitude for NCF’s hospitality, noting that the shared insights will serve as “vital catalysts for the institution’s (PLT-CGI) ongoing academic growth in Albay.“
Also supporting the benchmarking activity were NCF leaders Atty. Carlo C. Villanueva, Board Chairperson and Senior Vice President; Dr. Nora Elizabeth F. Maniquiz, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Ms. Teenarose O. Castroverde, Vice President for Institutional Affairs; Dr. Nico A. Ogarte, Assistant Vice President for Research, Innovation, Extension, and Sustainability; Ms. Ma. Humildad F. Claro, Quality Assurance Director; Ms. Katrine Erika Castillo-Durante, Head of the Guidance and Testing Center; and Mr. Son B. Reburiano, Head of OSAS.
Reinforcing NCF’s standing as a premier educational benchmark and a steadfast partner in reinventing higher education in the Bicol Peninsula, this engagement reiterates NCF’s position as an exemplar of academic leadership and executive governance, and global technological innovation.