On May 31, 2024, representatives from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde met with officials from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to explore the Complementary Pathway program for refugee students.
The Benilde delegation was led by Vice Chancellor for Academics Mr. Angelo Lacson, along with Ms. Nina Endozo from the Registrar’s Office, Mr. Royce Hernandez from Admissions, and Mr. Sherlo Reyes from the Center for Extension and Linkages (CEL). The meeting served as an avenue to discuss the processes and policies that would allow refugee learners to pursue higher education in the Philippines under the said initiative.
It was shared that the De La Salle Brothers are fully supporting the UNHCR-DOJ initiative. In fact, La Salle Bacolod and De La Salle University–Manila have already begun welcoming Rohingya students, setting a precedent for other Lasallian institutions. Refugee students will be granted a 47B Visa, which allows them to study, stay, and work in the country. While they are considered foreign students, the usual program accreditation and Bureau of Immigration (BID) requirements still apply.
Benilde expressed its willingness to extend assistance to other La Salle schools, particularly in providing housing, fellowship, and networking opportunities for refugee students currently studying within the Lasallian network.
As a concrete next step, Benilde will convene an alignment meeting among key offices—including the Registrar’s Office, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academics, Lasallian Mission and Student Life (LMSL), and Admissions—to discuss the institutional processes for the intake of refugee students. The Center for Extension and Linkages (CEL) will take the lead in coordinating these efforts.
Through this initiative, Benilde reaffirms its Lasallian commitment to inclusive education, compassion, and social transformation, ensuring that refugees are given access to quality learning opportunities and a welcoming academic community.
