Creating a shared commitment towards the promotion of safe, informed, and globally competitive participation of Filipino students and professionals in the international exchange programs, participants from the University of Baguio, in collaboration with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), successfully conducted an information seminar on the BRIDGE USA J-1 Visa Program and Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness at the UB Cardinals Gym.
Held on May 18, 2026, the activity gathered around seven hundred (700) third-year students from the School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (SIHTM), the School of Nursing (SON), the School of Business Administration (SBAA), and the School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety (SCJPS). Supported by the ongoing partnership discussions between the university and the CFO, which are solidified through a proper Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the institutions.
According to CFO data, a total of 87,897 Filipino participants joined the BRIDGE USA J-1 Program from 2000 to 2025, reflecting the continuing importance of international educational exchange in developing globally competent Filipino professionals.
The university’s increasing involvement in the BRIDGE USA Program was also highlighted during the session. Approximately 123 UB students registered under the J-1 USA Program this year alone. UB has been sending students to the US under a variety of cultural exchange categories since 2011, including interns, trainees, and summer work participants.
Education and Safety Involvement: UB and CFO
Alt Text: Members from the University of Baguio, SIHTM Dean, Ms. Jenelyn Magpatoc, and Linkages Director, Ms. Melanie Rulla-Saro, together with esteemed guest speakers, the CFO Division Chief for Project Management, Ms. Martia Del Rosario Apattad, and emigrant services officer, Ms. Rovie Ana Pamintuan
The collaboration is founded on the CFO’s responsibility to promote and safeguard the interests of overseas Filipinos, especially those preparing to study or engage in exchange programs abroad. created through Batas Pambansa Blg. 79. In accordance with Administrative Order No. 242, the CFO also acts as the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) committee’s secretariat.
The registration and orientation of Filipino EVP participants or J-1 visa holders is one of its main responsibilities. The program, with its mode of cultivation, strengthens mutual understanding between individuals residing in the United States and other countries through educational and cultural engagement.
The CFO’s Division Chief for Project Management, Ms. Martia Del Rosario Apattad, spoke at the session about the BRIDGE USA J-1 Visa Program and how it promotes cross-cultural and educational interactions. She underlined that the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 authorizes the US government to run the BRIDGE USA Program, formerly known as the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP).
Ms. Apattad went on to say that the Philippines’ involvement in the BRIDGE USA Program offers Filipinos excellent chances to travel abroad, improve their professional skills, and acquire knowledge and abilities that support the country’s development. The program fosters intercultural awareness and global citizenship while giving participants access to American culture, education, technology, and business practices.
The Philippine EVP Committee also oversees the formal release of the Need for Training Certificate (NTC) and No Objection Statement (NOS) for eligible participants, highlighting the committee’s role in implementing policies and regulations related to the program, coordinating the nation’s participation, conducting Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS), and ensuring that returning participants contribute meaningfully to national development initiatives.
Ms. Rovie Ana Pamintuan, the CFO’s emigrant services officer, gave a thorough talk on anti-human trafficking legislation and migrant protection while addressing welfare and personal safety. The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, Republic Act No. 9208, as amended by Republic Acts 10364 and 11862, was the subject of her presentation. In order to protect students and young professionals from exploitation, she underlined the significance of alertness, legal knowledge, and appropriate involvement in international programs.
The activity provided students and faculty members with a deeper understanding of the support mechanisms and regulatory frameworks established by the Philippine government for exchange visitors. It also strengthened awareness of the responsibilities and opportunities that come with international mobility programs. Aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
- 4 (quality education) – by promoting inclusive and equitable access to international learning opportunities and lifelong learning experiences
- 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) – demonstrating the importance of collaboration between higher education institutions and government agencies in advancing student welfare, internationalization, and global engagement
Through initiatives such as this seminar and the forthcoming partnership agreement, the University of Baguio continues to strengthen its commitment to international education, student protection, and transformative global learning experiences that prepare UBians to become responsible professionals and global citizens.
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Written by: Melanie Rulla-Saro
Article Enhancement by Gabriel Madriaga
