By: Angelica C. Erguiza & Allysa Eunice R. Del Mundo
October 22, 2026
Preparing future nurses for community service begins with building strong partnerships beyond the university. On October 22, 2026, Baguio Central University fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Section 4D-2 and the Student Government Organization (SGO) representative conducted courtesy calls with local officials, healthcare professionals, educators, and community leaders in Burgos, La Union. The initiative aimed to establish coordination for the students’ upcoming Community Outreach Program in Lower Tumapoc and facilitate discussions concerning their community duty through the submission of a draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). These efforts highlight the importance of collaboration in preparing health education activities that respond to community needs and promote public health awareness.
The courtesy call and visit was led by BSN Section 4D-2 representative Leandrico Beswilan and SGO Vice Governor Maygelle Dayag. As part of the initiative, the students visited the office of Mayor Delfin C. Comedis Jr., the Burgos Rural Health Unit (RHU), headed by Dr. Norcelle Collado, and the Office of the Sangguniang Bayan, led by Vice Mayor Annie Patinglag. They also paid courtesy calls on the teachers of Tumapoc Elementary School, headed by Ma’am Letecia Gallardo, and Lower Tumapoc Barangay Captain Hon. Severino Gallardo.
During the visits, the students introduced the objectives and proposed activities of their upcoming outreach program and discussed coordination with community stakeholders. These engagements provided an opportunity to establish communication with local authorities, healthcare providers, school personnel, and community representatives. The MOA-related coordination also formed part of the preparations for the students’ community duty, supporting collaborative planning between the university and its community partners.
The planned Community Outreach Program will focus on personal hygiene, disease prevention, and proper nutrition, particularly among elementary school pupils. Through health education sessions and interactive learning activities, the nursing students aim to help children understand the importance of preventive health practices and develop healthy habits that support their daily well-being. The activities are intended to provide age-appropriate health information and encourage pupils to apply what they learn at home and in school.
The courtesy calls and MOA-related coordination mark important preparatory steps toward implementing the outreach program. The next steps involve continued coordination with community partners and the organization of the proposed activities to ensure that they are appropriate for the intended beneficiaries. While the outreach activities remain in the planning stage, the initiative demonstrates the importance of collaboration among educational institutions, local government units, healthcare providers, and community leaders in advancing community health education.
Through this initiative, BCU’s BSN Section 4D-2 and the SGO reaffirm the value of student leadership, community engagement, and social responsibility in nursing education. By preparing to extend health education beyond the university, the students demonstrate how future healthcare professionals can contribute to disease prevention, health awareness, and community well-being. The initiative also reflects BCU’s commitment to developing nursing graduates who combine clinical knowledge and skills with compassion, collaboration, and a dedication to serving communities.
The initiative supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being is the primary focus, as the planned outreach program aims to promote disease prevention, personal hygiene, and healthy practices. SDG 4: Quality Education is reflected in the use of health education and interactive learning activities to help elementary pupils develop practical knowledge. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation relates to the program’s emphasis on hygiene and sanitation awareness. SDG 2: Zero Hunger connects to the planned nutrition education, which aims to improve children’s understanding of healthy eating. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals is demonstrated through coordination among BCU, local government officials, healthcare professionals, educators, and community leaders. The initiative also relates to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, as community-based health education can help extend access to health information beyond the university setting, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, through its focus on community participation and local well-being. In addition, the program’s emphasis on preventive health practices and responsible community engagement is consistent with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, particularly where nutrition education encourages informed and responsible food choices. These connections describe the initiative’s intended contributions; their actual impact will depend on the implementation and outcomes of the planned outreach activities.
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