Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology (Nonescost), based in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, now offers online agritourism and ecotourism courses to local and international students through the Commission on Higher Education's Study in the Philippines (StudyPH) program (CHED).

Such participation is a step forward for Nonescost, which is on its way to becoming the State University of Northern Negros, said Second District Rep. Alfredo Maraon III, a former mayor of Sagay City.

He said that the program will serve as a way to create more opportunities for exploring and elevating the quality of education.

Moreover, Nonescost has received funding for two StudyPH projects: "Establishment of Kabakhawahan Eco-Tech Park: Nonescost Sustainable Ecotourism Project" and "Development and Promotion of Sustainable Agritourism in Nonescost."

According to Dr. Renante Egcas, the president of Nonescost College, the projects will help promote Nonescost as a "prime destination for research and practical training in ecotourism, conservation, and agritourism."

On March 15, Egcas and Mayor Narciso Javelosa signed a memorandum of understanding with CHED's acting deputy director for international affairs, Lily Freida Milla, to launch the StudyPH program in the city, which will focus on providing free agritourism and ecotourism courses that students, both local and international, can access and take online.

Meanwhile, StudyPH is a CHED initiative that aims to position the country as a global education hub while also providing opportunities for "local internationalization" through increased international learners in the Philippines.

Sagay City was recently included in the Green Destinations Foundation's global list of Green Destinations' Top 100 Stories for 2022.

It was also recognized earlier this month at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse in Berlin, Germany, during the Green Destinations Story Awards.