Baguio City – July 20, 2025 — In a strong display of regional collaboration, the Cordillera Association of Nursing Deans (CAND) and the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), in coordination with the Professional Regulation Commission–Cordillera Administrative Region (PRC-CAR), successfully hosted the Nursing Leaders Forum on July 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM.
Held to strengthen professional dialogue among nurse educators and leaders, the forum gathered participants from nursing schools across the region to explore current issues, policy directions, and innovations in nursing education and service. Registration and audiovisual presentations were facilitated by the Secretariat, followed by the acknowledgment of participants by Mr. Christopher Ian N. Gaerlan, who also served as the event’s host and moderator.
The forum was officially opened with welcome remarks from PRC-CAR Regional Director Juanita L. Domogen, who emphasized the crucial role of academic institutions and professional bodies in shaping the future of nursing in the Cordillera region.
The highlight of the forum was the comprehensive presentation on “Updates Affecting the Nursing Profession” by Hon. Mary Grace C. Lacanaria. Her discussion covered a wide range of critical areas including:
- Board Exam reforms and alignment with Outcome-Based Education (OBE) Framework, program outcomes, table of specifications, and the overall schemes and mechanics of the revised licensure system
- Quality assurance (QA) strategies to ensure the integrity of the nursing licensure examination
- Updates on the Philippine Professional Nursing Practice Standards (PPNS) and the Nursing Standards Domains
- Key provisions on nursing education policies, including master’s degree programs, staff complement requirements, salaries and benefits, and return service agreements
- Strengthening of nursing service standards and the role of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in sustaining professional growth
These updates emphasized the need for alignment between nursing education and practice, regulatory standards, and workforce expectations in the national and international landscape.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Dr. John Michael P. Jarata, Vice President of CAND, who underscored the importance of unity and active engagement among nursing schools and professionals to uphold excellence and integrity in the profession.
Representing strong academic leadership, the University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing (UC CON) faculty were present in full force, led by Dr. Judith Odanee G. Magwilang, UC-CON Dean and incumbent President of CAND.
The forum also reaffirmed the commitment of the Cordillera nursing community to advancing several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by promoting high-quality, accessible, and responsive nursing services
- SDG 4: Quality Education, through strengthened nursing curricula, licensure reforms, and graduate program development
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by addressing salary and staffing standards and advocating for professional welfare
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through active collaboration among government bodies, professional associations, and academic institutions
This meaningful convergence of nursing leaders and educators reinforces the shared mission to elevate nursing education and practice, ensuring that Filipino nurses remain globally competitive, ethically grounded, and community-centered.
