Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI), through its International Relations and External Linkages Office (IRO), paid a courtesy visit to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tboli on August 6, 2026, to strengthen collaboration in supporting the international mobility journey of Elen May T. Ugal, a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy student and one of the scholars of LGU Tboli. The HCCCI delegation was warmly welcomed by Hon. Ronie Dela Peña, Vice Mayor on behalf of Hon. Keo Dayle T. Tuan, Mayor, reflecting the municipality's commitment to supporting educational opportunities that contribute to the growth and development of its students and scholars.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of HCCCI and the Municipality of Tboli to creating opportunities for deserving students to participate in transformative international learning experiences that promote academic development, intercultural understanding, leadership, and global citizenship. It also highlighted the important role of local government support in helping young people expand their horizons while remaining connected to their communities and cultural roots.

The courtesy visit focused on Elen's prospective participation in the upcoming UGEO International Mobility Program, an international academic and cultural exchange initiative that brings together students from ASEAN member states and other participating countries to foster global learning, cultural immersion, and collaborative leadership. Through the discussion, HCCCI and LGU Tboli emphasized the value of providing students with opportunities to represent their institution, municipality, cultural heritage, and country in an international learning environment.

Representing HCCCI during the courtesy visit were Jack Robin Lacerna, MMEM, Director of the International Relations and External Linkages Office, together with Jacky E. Caro and Elen May T. Ugal. Hon. Ronie Dela Peña, representing Hon. Keo Dayle T. Tuan, received the delegation and conveyed the local government's support for initiatives that provide meaningful educational opportunities for the youth of Tboli through international academic engagement, cultural exchange, and global mobility.

A significant highlight of the meeting was LGU Tboli's continuing support for Elen as one of its scholars, demonstrating the municipality's investment in the education and development of its young people. Should she be officially selected for the UGEO International Mobility Program, Elen will become the fourth student from the Municipality of Tboli to participate in an international academic engagement through HCCCI. This prospective milestone further demonstrates how collaboration between the institution and the local government can open pathways for deserving students to access global educational experiences.

As a prospective UGEO delegate, Elen also carries the opportunity to represent the rich cultural heritage of the Tboli Indigenous Cultural Community. Through cultural presentations, academic discussions, and intercultural exchange activities, she will have the opportunity to share the traditions, values, customs, and identity of the Tboli people with fellow students from different countries while gaining new perspectives and experiences that she can bring back to her community.

Beyond international exposure, the initiative demonstrates how collaboration between educational institutions and local government units can create meaningful opportunities for students. Through support for global mobility initiatives, HCCCI and LGU Tboli help young people broaden their perspectives, strengthen their leadership capacities, develop intercultural competencies, and gain experiences that can contribute to their personal and professional development and, ultimately, to the communities they represent.

The initiative also contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by expanding opportunities for transformative and internationally oriented learning experiences; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, by helping create pathways for students from underserved and Indigenous communities to participate in global academic opportunities; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by demonstrating how collaboration between educational institutions and local governments can advance youth empowerment, educational development, and international engagement.

HCCCI expressed its sincere gratitude to Hon. Keo Dayle T. Tuan, Hon. Ronie Dela Peña, and the Local Government Unit of Tboli for the warm welcome extended to the delegation and for their continued support of students pursuing opportunities for international learning and development. The municipality's commitment to supporting its scholars demonstrates the importance of investing in young people who have the potential to become globally competent professionals while remaining grounded in their culture, identity, and responsibility to their communities.

Through initiatives such as this, Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc., through its International Relations and External Linkages Office, continues to strengthen partnerships with local government units in expanding opportunities for international education and global engagement. Together with the Municipality of Tboli, HCCCI remains committed to helping students become culturally grounded, globally engaged, and socially responsible individuals who can meaningfully contribute to their communities, the nation, and the broader global society.