CHED OSDS Conducts Mindanao Cluster Orientation on Pathway to Health and Well-Being in Higher Education
General Santos City — The Commission on Higher Education – Office of Student Development and Services (CHED-OSDS) conducted the Mindanao Cluster Zonal Public Orientation on CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 5, s. 2026, entitled “Pathway to Health and Well-Being in Higher Education and Its Monitoring Instrument,” on May 7, 2026, at the Greenleaf Hotel, General Santos City. The activity aimed to strengthen the capacity of higher education institutions (HEIs) in promoting holistic student health, well-being, and substance use prevention.
The orientation gathered representatives from HEIs, Student Affairs and Services (SAS) Heads, guidance counselors, health service personnel, and other stakeholders from Regions IX, X, XI, XII, and CARAGA. It provided participants with a comprehensive discussion of the newly approved CMO, including its framework, guiding principles, strategic approaches, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and institutional measures for promoting health and well-being within higher education institutions.
The activity featured presentations from members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on the Promotion of Health and Well-being and Substance Use Prevention, composed of representatives from CHED, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association (PGCA), Miriam College, and civil society organizations. Among the key topics discussed were the RADIANT Student Framework, emerging and documented practices of HEIs, guiding principles, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and incentive systems designed to encourage institutions to strengthen their health and well-being initiatives.
The orientation emphasized the importance of adopting a whole-of-institution and student-centered approach in addressing health and well-being concerns in higher education. Through the CMO, HEIs are encouraged to strengthen their institutional programs, policies, services, and support systems that promote positive student development, prevent substance use, and foster safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments.
The Mindanao Cluster Orientation reaffirmed CHED-OSDS’s commitment to working with HEIs and partner agencies in advancing student health and well-being. By providing institutions with clear policy guidance, monitoring tools, and evidence-informed approaches, the initiative seeks to support HEIs in developing sustainable programs that contribute to healthier, safer, and more supportive higher education communities across Mindanao.
