On March 25, 2026, the University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (UC-CONAHS) formally strengthened its community engagement initiatives through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bokod. The event was held at the Mayor’s Office in Bokod, Benguet, marking a significant milestone in advancing Community Organizing Participatory Action Research (COPAR) activities as part of Community Health Nursing (CHN) implementation.
Present during the MOA signing were Level III Coordinator Dr. Sheila Maria G. Batoon, alongside Clinical Instructors Ms. Myrna L. Erico and Ms. Myra S. Mango, representing UC-CONAHS. The LGU of Bokod was led by Municipal Mayor Hon. Atty. Erik Donn Ignacio, who expressed strong support for the partnership and underscored the importance of collaborative, community-driven health initiatives.
The agreement establishes a structured framework for the conduct of COPAR activities, enabling nursing students to immerse themselves in the community while working alongside local leaders and residents. Through this approach, students will engage in social preparation, community entry, rapport building, baseline data collection, and participatory planning with community members. These activities are designed to ensure that health interventions are culturally appropriate, needs-based, and sustainable.
As part of the COPAR process, students are expected to implement community-based programs such as health education sessions, disease prevention campaigns, environmental sanitation initiatives, and capacity-building activities for community members. The partnership also promotes shared responsibility between UC-CONAHS and the LGU in monitoring, evaluating, and sustaining health programs initiated during the immersion.
This collaboration reflects UC-CONAHS’ commitment to producing competent, compassionate, and socially responsive healthcare professionals. By integrating COPAR into CHN, the institution ensures that students not only deliver care but also empower communities to take an active role in their own health and development.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Alignment
| SDG | Description | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Promotes accessible and community-driven health services through COPAR-based interventions. | 3.3.1 (Disease prevention), 3.8.1 (Universal health coverage) |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Strengthens experiential and service-learning opportunities for nursing students. | 4.4.1 (Skills development), 4.7.1 (Education for sustainable development) |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Enhances collaboration between academic institutions and local government units for sustainable community programs. | 17.17.1 (Effective partnerships) |
