UP CSWCD Celebrates 100% Passing Rate, Top Ranks as 33 Social Work Graduates Take Their Oath

On November 9, 2026, newly licensed social workers attended the onsite oath-taking ceremony held at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

UP Diliman’s CSWCD (College of Social Work and Community Development) recorded a 100 percent passing rate, placing UP Diliman as among the top-performing schools in this year’s examination. The achievement also reflects the CSWCD’s long-standing tradition of excellence. The Department of Social Work has maintained a consistent 100 percent passing rate in the Social Worker Licensure Examination (SWLE) and has consist

ently produced graduates who are in the Top 10 through the years.

In the SWLE 2026, seven CSWCD graduates secured places in the Top 10: Kyla Anne Valesco at 2nd place with a 93.20 percent rating; Jesusalyn Echano at 3rd place with 92.80 percent; Catherine Romina Aperocho at 6th with 92.20 percent; Anne Noelle Balmacea at 7th with 92.00 percent; Rona Mae Sanchez at 8th with 91.80 percent; and Paige Ingrid de Ocampo Alovera and Abigail Palad Soriano, who both placed 9th with 91.60 percent.

To receive the award and celebrate with the new social workers, Dr. Justin Francis Leon Villa Nicolas, Dean of the CSWCD; Dr. Hazel Cometa-Lamberte, Chair of the CSWCD Department of Social Work and Asst. Prof. Florence Flores-Pasos, CSWCD College Secretary attended the ceremony. They were joined by Ret. Prof. Thelma-Lee Mendoza, renowned author of social books, the icon of social work education in the Philippines, and former Chair of the PRC Board for Social Workers. They urged the graduates, now their colleagues, to carry forward the values, knowledge, and commitment formed during their studies, while living up to the university’s ideals of Honor and Excellence in the service of the nation. ###