CHED Chairman De Vera leads Outstanding Bayambang citizens

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman J. Prospero 'Popoy' de Vera III led seven honorees given the "Matalunggaring Awards 2024" from Bayambang town in his home province of Pangasinan.

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In the local language, "matalunggaring" means "outstanding." The Matalunggaring Awards is the highest form of recognition bestowed yearly by the local government unit of Bayambang to individuals who are from or have roots in this town who have excelled in their career.

De Vera, who was cited as "the father of universal tertiary education in the Philippines," led six other awardees - namely: National Scientist and pioneering parasitologist, Dr. Carmen Velasquez (posthumous awardee); former University of the Philippines President, lawyer Danilo Concepcion; DILG Assistant Secretary Josephine Cabrido-Leysa; Nobel Peace Awardee Patricia Todio Annie Courtin (posthumous awardee), who was Senior Secretary of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or IPCC; long-time local hospital director Dr. Nicolas O. Miguel; and top local educator and researcher, Dr.

Razeale G. Resultay of Pangasinan State University.