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 Surallah on August 6, 2026, to discuss the upcoming UGEO International Mobility Program and the international participation of one of the municipality’s young scholars, Jacky E. Caro. The HCCCI delegation was warmly welcomed by Municipal Mayor Pedro M. Matinong and Municipal Administrator Benjamin Datinguinoo, who expressed their full support for Jacky’s participation and for initiatives that provide local students with meaningful international educational opportunities.

The visit highlighted a meaningful connection between local government support, institutional internationalization, and student opportunity. Jacky, a student of HCCCI and a recipient of the UGEO International Mobility Program, is a resident of the Municipality of Surallah and a recipient of support from the LGU. His participation demonstrates how partnerships between educational institutions and local government can help deserving young people access opportunities that extend beyond the Philippines.

The UGEO International Mobility Program brings together students from ASEAN member states and other participating countries for academic, cultural, and intercultural engagement. Through the program, participants are given opportunities to exchange ideas, experience different cultures, develop international networks, and gain broader perspectives that can contribute to their academic and professional development.

Representing HCCCI during the courtesy visit were Jack Robin Lacerna, MMEM, Director of the International Relations and External Linkages Office, and Jacky E. Caro, UGEO recipient and LGU-supported student from the Municipality of Surallah. The delegation shared the objectives of the international mobility program and discussed the importance of supporting students as they prepare to represent both their institution and their community in an international setting.

The LGU of Surallah expressed its full support for Jacky’s participation in the UGEO International Mobility Program, recognizing the value of providing young people from the municipality with opportunities to gain international exposure. Mayor Pedro M. Matinong and Municipal Administrator Benjamin Datinguinoo welcomed the initiative and affirmed the municipality’s support for educational opportunities that contribute to the development of its youth.

For Jacky, the opportunity represents more than an international academic experience. As a young person from Surallah receiving support from his local government, his participation demonstrates how community investment in education can open doors to opportunities that may otherwise be difficult for local students to access.

His journey also allows him to become an ambassador of Surallah and HCCCI. As he engages with students from ASEAN and other participating countries, Jacky will have the opportunity to share his experiences, perspectives, and appreciation of his community while learning from the cultures and stories of fellow participants.

The partnership therefore connects the local and the global. The LGU’s support provides a strong foundation at the community level, while HCCCI’s internationalization efforts create pathways through which students can access global learning experiences. Together, these efforts demonstrate how education can connect young people from local communities to a wider world.

For HCCCI, the support of the LGU of Surallah reinforces its belief that internationalization becomes more meaningful when it is supported by the communities where students come from. Through the International Relations and External Linkages Office, the institution continues to work toward creating international opportunities that are not limited to global exposure, but also contribute to student development, community representation, and long-term social impact.

The initiative contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education by expanding access to transformative international learning experiences; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by helping create pathways for local students to participate in international education; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by demonstrating how educational institutions and local governments can work together to empower young people.

The courtesy visit also strengthened the relationship between HCCCI and the Municipality of Surallah, highlighting a shared commitment to education as a pathway toward youth empowerment and community development. The LGU’s support for Jacky’s international participation demonstrates how local investment in students can create opportunities for them to gain knowledge, confidence, intercultural competence, and experiences that they can eventually bring back to their community.

HCCCI expressed its sincere gratitude to Mayor Pedro M. Matinong, Municipal Administrator Benjamin Datinguinoo, and the Local Government Unit of Surallah for their warm welcome and continued support for educational initiatives that empower the municipality’s youth.

Through meaningful partnerships such as this, Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc., through its International Relations and External Linkages Office, continues to build bridges between local communities and the international academic community. Jacky’s journey as a UGEO recipient and LGU-supported student stands as a meaningful example of what can happen when institutions, local governments, and communities come together to invest in the potential of young people.

From Surallah to the world, HCCCI and its partners continue to create opportunities for students to learn globally, represent their communities proudly, and return with experiences that can inspire positive change at home.