The Mindanao Cluster Zonal Public Consultation on the Proposed CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) titled “Policy Framework and Strategies on Healthy Learning Institutions in Philippine Higher Education” was held at Chali Resort and Convention Center, Cagayan De Oro. This important activity was spearheaded by the Office of Student Development and Services (OSDS) in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH).
The consultation aimed to orient stakeholders about the roles of CHED and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in implementing and operationalizing specific programs, policies, and activities. These efforts are guided by the six pillars of the World Health Organization (WHO) Health-Promoting Schools Framework and the DOH Health Promotion Framework Strategy. The event also sought to gather valuable feedback, comments, suggestions, and inputs from HEIs and other stakeholders regarding the draft CMO.
This policy is anchored on the Universal Healthcare (UHC) Law, the DOH’s 2023 Health Promotion Framework Strategy (HPFS), and Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2022-0001, which provides the “Guidelines on Healthy Settings Framework in Learning Institutions.”
The activity commenced with a welcome message from Dr. Desiderio Apag, Chief Administrative Officer of CHED Region X, followed by an inspirational message from CHED Executive Director IV, Atty. Cinderella Filipina S. Benites-Jaro, delivered via a recorded video.
Prof. Edna Imelda F. Legaspi then presented the Program Orientation and Objectives, followed by a session from the DOH, which provided an overview of Learning Institutions anchored on the six pillars of WHO’s Health-Promoting Schools Framework. These pillars include: (1) Healthy Institutional Policies, (2) Institutional Physical Environment, (3) Institutional Social-Emotional Environment, (4) Community Linkages and Engagements, (5) Health Skills and Education, and (6) Access to Health and Counseling Services. The proposed draft of the CHED Memorandum Order was also presented during this session.
In the afternoon, participants engaged in a capacity assessment activity focusing on Organic Intelligence. HEIs and CHED representatives were then grouped for breakout sessions to discuss further and refine the proposed policies.
The consultation concluded with a closing message from Ms. Cynthia Q. Hernandez, representing the Local Student Affairs Division of CHED OSDS.
Participants from Region XI included representatives from the following institutions:
State Universities and Colleges (SUCs): Davao del Norte State College, Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology and University of the Philippines-Mindanao
Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs): Santo Tomas College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology
Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs): Assumption College of Nabunturan, Holy Cross of Davao College, Jose Maria College, Legacy College Compostela, Philippine Women’s College of Davao and St. Mary’s College-Tagum