By: Emerson C. Soriano & Jessie D. Dela Cruz, LPT
Baguio Central University College of Nursing and School of Midwifery (CNSM), participated in the national celebration of the 5th National Health Workers’ Day on May 7, 2026, in Baguio City. Carrying the theme “From Crisis to Care: Empowering Health Workers Amid Global Conflict and Oil Crisis,” the event highlighted the vital contributions of health workers and the continuing need to protect their rights, welfare, and capacity to deliver essential health services amid global and local challenges. BCU Nursing students joined this special event through the leadership of Mr. Emerson C. Soriano, first-year adviser. BCU’s participation reflected its engagement in health advocacy and its commitment to preparing future nursing and midwifery professionals to recognize the broader social responsibilities of their chosen professions.
Organized by the Coalition of Health Workers’ Organizations in the Cordillera, the celebration brought together health associations, affiliated organizations, educational institutions, and other participants advocating for the rights and welfare of health workers and students in the region. The program began with a Zumba session, followed by a march along Session Road, providing participants with an opportunity to express solidarity with health workers and raise awareness of issues affecting the healthcare sector. The gathering proceeded to Malcolm Square, where the formal program featured discussions on global, national, and local developments influencing health services and the working conditions of healthcare professionals.
The event was attended by Department of Health officials, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and Councilor Elmer Datuin, whose presence underscored the relevance of health workforce concerns to public health and local governance. Representing BCU’s College of Nursing and School of Midwifery, Mr. Emerson Soriano served as the host of the morning program. The participation of CNSM students and faculty placed the university’s academic community within a broader regional advocacy initiative, connecting classroom-based preparation with public discussions on healthcare delivery, professional welfare, and the challenges faced by health workers.
The annual observance reaffirmed the importance of recognizing the contributions of health workers and sustaining efforts to advance their rights and welfare. For BCU, participation provided a platform for its nursing and midwifery community to engage with issues that shape the professional environment in which future healthcare practitioners will serve. Although specific policy commitments or formal resolutions arising from the celebration were not identified in the available event information, the activity documented the university’s involvement in a regional health advocacy event and its support for dialogue on the conditions affecting healthcare professionals.
The initiative aligns primarily with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by emphasizing the importance of a supported and capable health workforce in delivering essential healthcare services. It also relates to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through its focus on health workers’ rights, welfare, and working conditions, and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through advocacy that seeks to address concerns affecting health workers and students across the region. Furthermore, SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) is relevant because the celebration was organized through a coalition involving health associations, affiliated organizations, and educational institutions. Through its participation, BCU demonstrated its engagement in health-related advocacy and the promotion of professional awareness, solidarity, and social responsibility among future healthcare practitioners.
#BCUCNSM #BCUForHealthAdvocacy #NationalHealthWorkersDay2026 #FromCrisisToCare #StandWithHealthWorkers #EmpoweringHealthWorkers #HealthWorkersMatter #HealthForAll #SDG3 #SDG8 #SDG10 #SDG17