MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced plans on Monday to allocate more funds for modern kitchen facilities in higher education institutions to bolster tourism and hospitality management programs nationwide. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the quality of education in these fields.
According to Philippines News Agency, the funding initiative follows a recent grant of approximately PHP25 million provided to the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) through its Institutional Development and Innovation Grant (IDIG) for the procurement of advanced kitchen equipment. CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III stated that the commission has already funded similar facilities in nearly ten other state universities and colleges and plans to support the establishment of fifteen more hot and cold kitchen facilities in both public and private universities this year.
The new facilities at LSPU are equipped with industry-standard equipment such as three-door glass chillers, planetary mixers, automatic coffee machines, culinary blenders, food display refrigerators, charcoal tandoor ovens, and electric convection ovens. These improvements are designed to provide students with hands-on experience using professional-grade culinary tools.
Charmine Rivera, Dean of the LSPU College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, expressed gratitude for CHED's support, reminiscing about the days when students had to bring their own cooking stoves and plates for practical lessons. She highlighted the transformative impact of the new facilities on the educational experience.
Around 1,400 students enrolled in Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) and Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM) programs at LSPU are expected to benefit from this project. De Vera emphasized the goal of producing skilled graduates ready to contribute to the tourism industry, aligning with the objectives set out in the Tourism Act of 2009 and the directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Additionally, the Department of Tourism-Regional Office of Laguna emphasized the importance of investing in upgraded educational facilities to prepare an industry-ready workforce, particularly in the tourism sector.