On May 3, 2024, the Batanes State College (BSC), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), and other participating SUCs gathered to sign a Memorandum of Agreement at the CHED Auditorium, UP Diliman, Quezon City, confirming their commitment to providing free online review classes for the Licensure Examination for Agriculturists (LEA).

During the ceremonial signing, BSC President Djovi Regala Durante acknowledged the College’s previous struggles with the LEA passing rate, which was consistently below the national average. President Durante expressed his gratitude to CHED Chairperson Dr. J. Prospero “Popoy” De Vera III for initiating the free LEA review and helping improve the passing rate of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) through the The ExcelLEArate: A Review and Strategy Program to Empower Students for Licensure Examination for Agriculturists (A Component of Access with Success: Paglaum Kag Pagdaug).

The College believes in the Big Brother principle, and President Durante expressed his appreciation for the support of UPLB, particularly UPLB Chancellor Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr. The free review classes will benefit more BSC graduates, providing them with cost-efficient resources and helping examination takers’ families financially, given the high airfare and living expenses on the mainland.

This initiative identifies participating SUCs based on their LEA performance, geographical isolation, and absence of LEA review centers in their areas. The Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) – Project Advancing for Competencies and Excellence (Project ACE) will provide almost 700,000 pesos of funding.

According to BSC President Durante, this will address pressing challenges faced by the agriculture sector in the Province, including the aging of farmers and the need for innovative solutions. The College aims to produce graduates who will become farmer-scientists, contributing to the sustainable development of the agricultural landscape.