The University of the Cordilleras (UC), through its Web-Based Online Community Engagement Survey (WeBOCES) research team, presented the latest developments and current status of the WeBOCES project to the Police Regional Office–Cordillera (PRO-CAR) on July 23, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The presentation was conducted following a formal invitation extended by PRO-CAR to provide a strategic update on the collaborative research initiative aimed at strengthening community-oriented policing through evidence-based and technology-driven approaches.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Ariel Nimo Pumecha, Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) of the University of the Cordilleras; Dr. Robino Cawi, Dean of the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE); Dr. Nica Togana; and Ms. Lanie Toriao, members of the WeBOCES research team. Their presence underscored the University’s commitment to sustaining strong institutional partnerships with PRO-CAR in advancing research that supports data-informed policing and public service innovation.
During the presentation, Dr. Nica Togana provided a comprehensive progress report on the WeBOCES project. She announced the successful completion of the pilot testing and reliability assessment of the survey instrument, which demonstrated an excellent level of internal consistency. The findings confirmed that the questionnaire is reliable and suitable for full-scale implementation, marking a significant milestone in ensuring the collection of credible and meaningful data from target respondents.
The research team also discussed the refinements made to the project implementation timeline and survey instrument based on the pilot testing results. These revisions were introduced to enhance the clarity, relevance, and overall effectiveness of the research tool while keeping PRO-CAR fully informed of the project’s continuous improvement process. In preparation for the next phase of implementation, the researchers presented the strategy for administering the finalized survey across the provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region, emphasizing the importance of sustained coordination with PRO-CAR and its police units to ensure efficient data collection.
A key point highlighted during the presentation was that the research protocol will undergo Institutional Ethics Review prior to implementation. The ethics review will ensure that the study fully complies with established ethical standards and data privacy requirements throughout the conduct of the research. This process is intended to safeguard the confidentiality of respondents, minimize the risk of exposing personal information, and protect both community participants and PRO-CAR police personnel involved in the study.
Following the presentation, representatives from PRO-CAR actively engaged the research team in an open discussion, raising questions regarding the revised implementation timeline, survey refinements, ethical safeguards, and operational procedures for the upcoming rollout. The productive exchange of ideas enabled both institutions to address concerns, clarify implementation strategies, and reaffirm their shared commitment to the successful execution of the WeBOCES project.
The meeting concluded with both the University of the Cordilleras and PRO-CAR reaffirming their commitment to collaborative research that promotes innovation, transparency, and evidence-based decision-making in policing. With the successful completion of the pilot testing, the readiness of the survey instrument, and the planned Institutional Ethics Review, the WeBOCES project continues to move toward full implementation while ensuring that research integrity, ethical standards, and data privacy remain at the forefront of its execution.
This initiative contributes to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by promoting transparent, accountable, and evidence-based policing through research and ethical data governance. It also supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening collaboration between the University of the Cordilleras and the Police Regional Office–Cordillera in developing innovative, research-driven solutions for community engagement and public service improvement. Additionally, the Institutional Ethics Review reinforces responsible research practices by ensuring the protection of personal data and the rights of all research participants throughout the implementation of the WeBOCES project.
