April 14, 2025 – Kibungan, Benguet — In its continuous pursuit to strengthen community-based learning and service, the University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing (UC CON) visited the Municipality of Kibungan, Benguet to explore a potential partnership for the Community Health Nursing Immersion Program, a vital part of the Related Learning Experience (RLE) for nursing students.
Leading the UC CON delegation was Dr. Judith Odanee G. Magwilang, Dean of the College of Nursing, accompanied by key faculty members including Dr. Sheila Maria G. Batoon, Level 4 Coordinator; Mrs. Nasper T. Anod, Level 2 Coordinator; Mr. Ferdinand C. Tercero, Sustainability Coordinator; and Mr. Jason Benbenen, faculty member.
The team was warmly received by Dr. Hydre Nga-ew, Municipal Health Officer of the Kibungan Rural Health Unit. The initial dialogue centered on identifying the pressing health needs of the municipality’s barangays and mapping out possible areas for student immersion and community health initiatives. The exchange highlighted the importance of responsive and sustainable community health interventions that UC nursing students could engage in during their fieldwork.
Following the meeting at the Rural Health Unit, the UC CON team also held a productive discussion with Municipal Councilor Brenson Siadto, Chair of the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Health, and Councilor Laurence Toking, Chair of the Committee on Finance. These discussions reinforced the municipality’s commitment to promoting public health and acknowledged the importance of academic collaborations in achieving long-term community wellness.
The visit concluded with a courtesy call to the Mayor’s Office, symbolizing the beginning of what is hoped to be a fruitful partnership between the University of the Cordilleras and the local government of Kibungan. The collaboration aims not only to provide nursing students with hands-on experience in public health but also to extend UC CON’s advocacy for health education, preventive care, and community empowerment in underserved areas.
The UC College of Nursing continues to seek meaningful partnerships that align with its mission to produce competent, compassionate, and community-oriented nursing professionals.
