(SDG Focus: Local Community Engagement)
The University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing (UC-CON) strengthened its commitment to community engagement and localized health development in 2024 through various outreach activities that directly served and empowered local communities. These initiatives supported UC-CON’s mission to provide community-responsive nursing education and aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promoting health, education, and community partnerships.
Throughout 2024, UC-CON actively engaged barangays and local institutions within Baguio City and Benguet Province through community-centered health programmes. The College facilitated the Operation Tuli outreach series in multiple local communities, including Quirino Hill on June 25, 2024; City Camp Proper on July 12, 2024 in collaboration with the Saint Louis University School of Medicine; and through Project H.E.L.E.N. on July 20, 2024. These activities provided essential healthcare services for children and adolescents while strengthening UC-CON’s presence in community health promotion at the local level.
UC-CON extended its service-learning engagements to local barangays through various health education initiatives. On July 23, 2024, faculty and students conducted a health outreach in Barangay Sta. Escolastica, delivering community health education and basic health screening. Likewise, the outreach programme conducted at Bad-ayan Integrated School in Buguias, Benguet on August 3–4, 2024 enabled UC-CON to bring essential health services to residents in a geographically isolated and disadvantaged community—a demonstration of the College’s commitment to health equity within local environments.
In addition, the College actively participated in locally coordinated public health missions, such as the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) 55th Anniversary Medical Mission on August 16, 2024 at Malcolm Square, Baguio City; the Barangay Dontogan Health Outreach on August 29, 2024; and the Community Health Mission at Barangay North Sanitary Camp on November 23, 2024. These activities strengthened community partnerships with barangay councils, local government units (LGUs), health centers, and service-oriented organizations.
UC-CON also contributed to localized preventive health campaigns, including the Blood Donation Drive on October 28, 2024 in partnership with the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center Blood Bank, and Project SHALAMAT (Salaknib ti Salud Mo, Umili) conducted in Kapangan, Benguet on November 14, 2024, where residents received health assessments, counseling, and health education. Moreover, the College joined a regionwide medical mission at Benguet State University on November 24, 2024, further strengthening inter-institutional collaboration in the Cordillera region.
Through these initiatives, UC-CON demonstrated consistent and meaningful engagement with local communities, fulfilling its role as an academic institution committed to public service, community empowerment, and localized health development. The College’s initiatives fostered mutual learning between academic and community stakeholders, strengthened local health capacities, and enhanced student competencies in community-oriented nursing practice.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Alignment
| SDG | Indicator | Contribution of UC-CON Local Community Outreach |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being | 3.3.2 – Local Health Outreach | Delivered community-based preventive health services and education within local barangays and schools. |
| SDG 4 – Quality Education | 4.4 – Skills for Work | Strengthened student learning through community engagement, supporting practical skill development in real-world community settings. |
| SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17 – Local Partnerships | Reinforced collaboration with LGUs, schools, barangay councils, health agencies, and local organizations. |
References
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, June 27). UC College of Nursing student nurses assist in Operation Tuli at Quirino Hill. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/06/27/uc-college-of-nursing-student-nurses-assist-in-operation-tule/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, July 12). UC College of Nursing joins free circumcision mission at City Camp Proper with SLU SOM. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/07/12/uc-college-of-nursing-student-nurses-join-operation-tuli-with-slu-school-of-medicine/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, July 20). UC College of Nursing supports Project H.E.L.E.N. through free circumcision outreach. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/07/20/uc-college-of-nursing-student-nurses-assist-in-project-helen-libreng-tuli-program/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, July 23). UC-CON health outreach in Barangay Sta. Escolastica. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/07/23/uc-college-of-nursing-leads-health-outreach-in-sta-escolastica/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, August 4). UC-USC and CON conduct outreach at Bad-ayan Integrated School, Buguias. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/08/04/uc-university-student-council-and-college-of-nursing-conduct-community-outreach-at-bad-ayan-integrated-school/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, August 16). UC-CON participates in the FPOP 55th Anniversary Medical Mission. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/08/16/uc-college-of-nursing-participates-in-fpop-55th-anniversary-medical-mission/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, August 30). UC College of Nursing partners with Barangay Dontogan for medical mission. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/08/30/uc-college-of-nursing-partners-with-barangay-dontogan-for-medical-mission/
University of the Cordillera – College of Nursing. (2024, October 28). UC-CON conducts blood donation drive.https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/10/28/uc-con-conducts-blood-donation-drive/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, November 14). UC-CON supports Project SHALAMAT in Kapangan. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/11/14/uc-con-supports-project-shalamat-in-kapangan/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, November 23). UC-CON leads health mission at Barangay North Sanitary Camp. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/11/25/uc-college-of-nursing-faculty-leads-successful-community-outreach-health-mission-at-barangay-north-sanitary-camp/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, November 24). UC-CON joins regionwide medical mission in La Trinidad. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/11/24/uc-college-of-nursing-joins-regionwide-medical-mission/
