Benguet State University maintains a comprehensive waste management framework aligned with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) and its institutional sustainability policy. Waste minimization practices such as segregation, composting, and reuse are promoted campus-wide. In 2024 , the university canteen and the food processing center generated a total of 2,502.42 kilograms of food waste or equivalent to 0.144 kg/person. These food waste are not being disposed of but converted into organic fertilizers in one of the research centers of the university.
Staff and Student Hunger Interventions
The College of Home Economics and Technology (CHET), continues to advance its commitment to SDG 2: Zero Hunger by implementing programs that strengthen nutrition education, wellness, and food security within the University and partner communities.
To reinforce wellness and preventive health, CHET also organized I Run Because I Care, a Campus Color Run held on September 14, 2024 in observance of Obesity Prevention and Awareness Week. Led by the Philippine Association of Nutrition – Beta Zeta Chapter, the event encouraged students and employees to engage in active lifestyles and highlighted the role of physical fitness in overall well-being.
In addition to community-focused initiatives, BSU supports internal food security through the “Sariling Sikap” Livelihood Program, which provides employees in lower salary grades with opportunities for supplemental income and self-sufficiency.
Affordable, Healthy, and Sustainable Food Choices on Campus
In line with its commitment to student and employee welfare, Benguet State University maintains a comprehensive system for providing nutritious, affordable, and accessible food within the campus.
The University Canteen delivers balanced and reasonably priced meals to students, faculty, staff, and guests. It operates with adequate facilities and consistently upholds high standards of sanitation and food safety. In 2024, the canteen reliably catered to numerous institutional events, including Charter Day, Foundation Day, Kapihan sessions, year-end programs, and other major university activities. Its consistent service contributed to the smooth and successful implementation of these gatherings.
Complementing these services, the BSU Marketing Center plays a key role in promoting healthy and affordable food products. It markets items sourced from local farmers and from the University’s own production units, including the Bakery, Food Processing Center, and Poultry Farm. As the primary outlet for BSU-produced goods, the center also offers selected local products from the community. BSU and non-BSU offices, as well as individual clients, regularly procure tokens, food items, and souvenirs from the center.
The Food Processing Center further strengthens the University’s food security initiatives by adopting wholesome technologies to transform raw ingredients into value-added products. It showcases food items developed from research outputs and supports academic instruction by serving as a training venue for students with specialized interests in food processing.
Proportion of Graduates in Agriculture and Aquaculture including Sustainability Aspect
As a leading state university in agricultural education in the region, BSU continues to produce graduates in agriculture, agribusiness, and related disciplines integrating sustainability aspects. In 2024 a total of 340 graduates which accounts to 18.75% of the total graduates.
National Hunger
BSU continues to be a central hub for agricultural training, research, and technology transfer. Through its Climate-Smart Agriculture Center and the Institute of Highland Farming Systems and Agroforestry (IHFSA), the University provides access to facilities such as the Arabica Coffee Nursery and Postharvest Processing Center, available to local farmers at minimal cost. The University’s extension programs deliver training and workshops on sustainable agriculture, food processing, and entrepreneurship, fostering innovation among farmers and agri-based enterprises.
February-March 2024
Hands-On On-site Skills Training on Organic Agriculture (Work Immersion Program)
The second batch of Tublay National Trade High School (TNTHS) students concluded their two-week work immersion in Organic Agriculture at the BSU Demo Farm on March 1, 2024, following the start of their hands-on training on February 19, 2024. Guided by the Office of Extension Services (OES) staff, the students learned organic farming practices, visited the Cordillera Regional Apiculture Center for basic beekeeping lessons, and joined activities at the Mushroom Project site. The program fulfills the required 80-hour immersion under DepEd Order No. 30, s. 2017, aligned with BSU’s 7-point extension agenda (HERALDS). A Memorandum of Agreement between TNTHS and BSU formalizes this annual collaboration.
March 2024
TUBIGS Inc. First Quarterly Meeting
On March 22, 2024, the officers of Timpuyog dagiti Umanamong iti BSU Internal Guarantee System Inc. (TUBIGS Inc.) and the Inspection Committee held their first quarterly meeting at the BSU Demo Farm. The discussion included 2023 financial updates, marketing strategies, and the Memorandum of Agreement with buyers. These meetings ensure the continued promotion of sustainable and organic agricultural practices within BSU and partner communities.
April 2024
University Extensionists’ Coordination Meeting and Workshop
On April 4, 2024, the Office of Extension Services (OES) convened extension focal persons at the Institute of Highland Farming Systems and Agroforestry (IHFSA), Bektey, La Trinidad. The workshop tackled revisions to OES quality forms and introduced Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Evaluation for assessing training impacts. Administrative Officer III Lance Angelo Layugan served as facilitator, while OES Director Anna Cris Langaoan and University President Felipe S. Comila highlighted the importance of extension activities in improving clientele livelihoods.
May 2024
CA 40th Anniversary Techno Caravan in Sablan
The College of Agriculture celebrated its 40th anniversary through a Techno Caravan on May 15, 2024, at Banengbeng, Sablan. Experts from the College of Agriculture, Cordillera Regional Apiculture Center, and College of Veterinary Medicine provided diagnostic and advisory services to farmers on soil, crops, livestock, and beekeeping. The event also coincided with Sablan’s 1st Barangay Farmers, Livestock, and Fisherfolks Congress.
BIGS Monitoring Inspection Committee On-the-Spot Inspection
The BSU Internal Guarantee System (BIGS) Monitoring Inspection Committee conducted its two-day spot inspection from May 16–17, 2024, at Nawal, Bokod. The activity ensured that technology adopters complied with pesticide-free farming standards. The team also gathered farmers’ feedback and training needs, including a request for lemon postharvest processing.
June 2024
Seminar and Writeshop on Impact Evaluation
From June 24–25, 2024, the OES, in partnership with the Institute of Social Research and Development (ISRD), conducted a Seminar and Writeshop on Impact Evaluation at the Dominador S. Garin Hall, BSU. UN Women Consultant Dr. Milagros Rimando and Dr. Janet Lynn Balagtey guided participants in developing evaluation tools using frameworks like ASK (Attitudes, Skills, Knowledge), while Dr. Cheryll C. Launio emphasized baseline data establishment. Dr. Janet Pablo later presented the CCAARRD Agency In-House Review criteria, followed by hands-on application workshops.
August 2024
BSU Annual Agency In-House Review
The Annual Agency In-House Review held on August 28–30, 2024, at the Everlasting Hall, R&E Building, recognized outstanding extension programs and projects. Top awardees included Skills Development and Enhancement: A Step to Self-Reliance by Cynthia D. Garambas and Highland SciCAT: BLOOMS by Maria Luz D. Fang-asan. Programs like Program R.E.A.C.H. and Program Tongtongan were also commended for their contributions to community empowerment and knowledge transfer.
October 2024
School-on-the-Air (SOA) on Advanced Beekeeping Launch
On October 22, 2024, BSU launched another segment of the School-on-the-Air (SOA) on Advanced Beekeeping 2024, featuring “Honey Bee Colony: The Queen Bee.” Hosted by Ms. Nora C. Sagayo with Dr. Kenneth A. Laruan as resource speaker, the broadcast aired daily on DZWT 540 AM and Facebook Live, promoting advanced apiculture knowledge to local beekeepers.
The Department of Crop Science of the College of Agriculture, together with MS Agronomy and MS Horticulture students, participated in the Ecological Waste Management and Sustainability Fair in Baguio City on October 20, 2024, where they showcased seed collections, treated seeds, IEC materials on crop production, and coffee and rambutan seedlings. Participants viewed the displays, selected IEC materials and two seed packs each, and received guidance on proper planting, particularly for less familiar crops such as chickpeas, with replacement seeds offered if germination failed. Technical consultations on terrarium making and crop management were also provided. The activity exceeded its target of 50 participants, reaching 166 attendees composed primarily of women aged 31 to 60, mostly from farming households, along with members of people’s organizations, students, faculty, out-of-school youth, elders, children, and indigenous peoples.
December 2024
SOA on Advanced Beekeeping Culmination
On December 6, 2024, 100 graduates were recognized during the culminating activity of the SOA on Advanced Beekeeping at Everlasting Hall, BSU R&E Building. VPRE Roscinto Ian Lumbres and OIC-CRAC Director Leo Kimbungan lauded the graduates’ dedication and urged them to share their knowledge with communities. Certificates of completion and recognition were awarded, marking the successful conclusion of the program that ran from September 23 to December 6, 2024.
