BSU-Students with Special Needs and Persons with Disabilities

The iCARE Hub is now open and ready to assist BSU students who need access to computers and Wi-Fi connection for their academic requirements.

Students may use the hub for assignments, research work, online submissions, and other school-related activities. Priority shall be given to disadvantaged students and students from special equity groups who need support in accessing digital learning resources.

Visit us at the iCARE Hub and make use of this student support service designed to help you stay connected, productive, and academically prepared.

Please refer to the pictures for the following guidelines.

BSU to the world ✨🌼

TESDA-Cordillera Administrative Region
DTI Baguio Benguet
Benguet State University

📣 Calling all BSU students under the Special Equity Groups!

Make your midyear break productive and meaningful by joining the FREE 6-Day Community-Based Training and Workshop in partnership with TESDA. This special initiative is designed especially for students who may not be enrolling this midyear and would like to gain practical skills, learn new opportunities, and prepare for future livelihood or employment pathways.

The first 5 days will focus on workshops and skills-based training sessions, while the 6th day will serve as the Assessment Day. This activity also includes a needs assessment to determine which training programs will be most relevant and beneficial to participants, and to identify future TESDA courses that may be officially opened and proposed for BSU students.

This is your chance to invest in yourself, develop competencies, and make your midyear count. 🌱✨

📌 Open to BSU students belonging to the Social Equity Groups
📌 Limited slots available
📌 Scan the QR code to pre-register now!

Let’s build skills, confidence, and brighter opportunities together. 💙💛

📣 Calling all BSU students under the Special Equity Groups!

Make your midyear break productive and meaningful by joining the FREE 6-Day Community-Based Training and Workshop in partnership with TESDA. This special initiative is designed especially for students who may not be enrolling this midyear and would like to gain practical skills, learn new opportunities, and prepare for future livelihood or employment pathways.

The first 5 days will focus on workshops and skills-based training sessions, while the 6th day will serve as the Assessment Day. This activity also includes a needs assessment to determine which training programs will be most relevant and beneficial to participants, and to identify future TESDA courses that may be officially opened and proposed for BSU students.

This is your chance to invest in yourself, develop competencies, and make your midyear count. 🌱✨

📌 Open to BSU students belonging to the Social Equity Groups
📌 Limited slots available
📌 Scan the QR code to pre-register now!

Let’s build skills, confidence, and brighter opportunities together. 💙💛

Empowering lives through inclusion, opportunity, and meaningful support. ✨

Last March 30, 2026, in celebration of Women with Disabilities Day, the Students with Special Needs and Persons with Disabilities program of the OSS successfully conducted a special program for the Special Equity Groups, aimed at informing and empowering students through accessible government assistance programs and scholarship opportunities. The activity served as a venue for participants to gain valuable knowledge on services that can help them overcome barriers and continue pursuing their education with confidence.

The program formally opened with inspiring welcome remarks from Dr. Jude L. Tayaben, Head of the GAD Office, who emphasized the importance of gender-responsive and inclusive programs that uplift marginalized and underserved sectors of the academic community.

Participants also benefited from insightful discussions from our esteemed resource speakers: Mr. Raphael Gabriel Tubana of DSWD, who presented various assistance programs and social support services available to disadvantaged populations, and Ms. Jezeny Laoyan of CHED, who shared scholarship grants and educational opportunities designed to support deserving students in achieving their academic goals.

The event concluded with meaningful closing remarks from Ms. Erlyn Honeylette C. Marquez, Director of the Office of Student Services, who encouraged participants to maximize available opportunities and remain determined in reaching their dreams despite challenges.

This initiative reflects the university’s continuing commitment to equity, access, and student empowerment—ensuring that every learner is given the chance to succeed. 💙💛

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗗𝗦𝗪𝗗) 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reiterates Section 6 of RA 10754 or the "An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability," wherein “Persons with disability shall be entitled to the grant of 20% discount and VAT-exemption on the purchase of certain goods and services from all establishments under RA 9442 for their exclusive use, enjoyment or availment. Provided, however, that the purchase of such goods and services from sellers that are not subject to Value Added Tax (VAT) shall be subject to the applicable percentage tax.”
For the filing of complaints and other inquiries, you may get in touch with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) under the local government units (LGUs) or the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) through the following:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (632) 8932-6422
page: https://www.facebook.com/nationalcouncilondisabilityaffairs
Website: https://ncda.gov.ph/
❤️

National Council on Disability Affairs (Government)

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 | 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐑𝐄: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐙𝐄𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘
"The National Commission of Senior Citizens and the National Council on Disability Affairs, as the lead agencies in charge of the concerns of senior citizens and persons with disability, enjoin establishments in honoring, to the fullest extent, the benefits and privileges accorded to senior citizens and persons with disabilities by virtue of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (Republic Act No. 9994) and An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability (Republic Act No. 10754).
One common benefit provided to senior citizens and persons with disability is the provision of 20% discount and VAT-exemption on the availment of certain goods and services, to wit:
"SEC. 4. Privileges for the Senior Citizens. -
The senior citizens shall be entitled to the following:
"(a) the grant of twenty percent (20%) discount and exemption from the value added tax (VAT), if applicable, on the sale of the following goods and services from all establishments, for the exclusive use and enjoyment or availment of the senior citizen.. (RA 9994)
"SEC. 32. Persons with disability shall be entitled to:
"(a) At least twenty percent (20%) discount and exemption from the value-added tax (VAT), if applicable, on the following sale of goods and services for the exclusive use and enjoyment or availment of the PWD..." (RA 10754)
Both NCSC and NCDA have been receiving and responding to complaints on alleged violations thereof, ranging from complete non-provision of the said discount to the imposition of limitations to the availment of the same. Notably, the only limitation under the pertinent laws is that the goods and services availed of must be "for the exclusive use and enjoyment or availment" of the laws' intended beneficiaries. To this end, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9994 provides safeguards on how to ensure that the discount is only applied to those personally consumed/used by senior citizens. Meanwhile, the IRR of RA 10754 explicitly states that "subsequent purchases by persons with disability on the same day from the same establishments shall still be subjected to 20% discount and VAT-exemption." Furthermore, the IRR of both RA 9994 and RA 10754 state that in case of conflict or ambiguity, the rules shall be liberally construed in favor of senior citizens or persons with disability, as the case may be.
Failure of an establishment to honor such statutory privileges have corresponding sanctions under the law, including fines starting from Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00) and/or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months.
On this note, NCSC and NCDA wish to reiterate to the public that following RA 9994, RA 10754, and their respective IRRs, senior citizens and persons with disability are entitled to the 20% discount and VAT-exemption, when applicable, without limitations over and above what the law and the rules provide. Thus, by way of example, there is no basis for an establishment limiting the application of the discount to only one item.
Members of the public who are aggrieved by any violation of the aforementioned laws may file their complaint with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) or the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) of the city or municipality where the establishment complained of may be found, as the case may be. In the absence of a PDAO or an OSCA, the complaint may be lodged with the Office of the Mayor.
NCSC and NCDA further wish to remind establishments that both RA 9994 and RA 10754 provide tax incentives in relation to the discounts availed of by virtue of said laws."

The Regional Committee on Disability Affairs CAR held its 1st Quarter meeting on March 4, 2026 led by Chairperson and DOH-CHD-CAR Regional Director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan.
She emphasized the committee's collective mission, which is to champion the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
"Together we have the power to break down barriers, challenge perceptions and build a future where inclusion is not just an idea but a reality to all,” she said.
She urged everyone to be catalysts of change for a more inclusive Cordillera.