Higher education institutions (HEIs) across Mindanao gathered in General Santos City for the final leg of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) orientation on CHED Memorandum Order No. 5, Series of 2026, or the Pathway to Health and Well-Being in Higher Education. Bringing together participants from Regions IX, X, XI, XII, and CARAGA, the engagement marked the conclusion of the nationwide rollout conducted across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The orientation provided a platform for HEIs, CHED officials, and partner agencies to strengthen discussions on health promotion, preventive education, and student support systems within academic environments. The sessions emphasized the importance of developing campus mechanisms that are responsive to the realities faced by learners, recognizing that student well-being is closely linked to safety, inclusion, and academic growth.
As part of the Technical Working Group on Health and Well-Being in Higher Education, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) participated as a resource partner, contributing technical guidance on substance use prevention and evidence-based interventions. The engagement highlighted the importance of preventive education, early support systems, and coordinated responses that enable institutions to better address the needs of students and strengthen protective environments within campuses.
Discussions also focused on institutional readiness through strengthened referral systems, inclusive support mechanisms, and coordination among schools, communities, and service providers. Participants exchanged experiences and insights on the challenges encountered within their respective institutions, allowing the dialogue to remain grounded on actual campus situations and operational realities.
An open forum further enriched the engagement as participants raised concerns and implementation considerations related to student welfare, prevention initiatives, and support services. The exchange encouraged collaboration among institutions while identifying practical approaches that may be adapted within different campus settings.
Sa pagtatapos ng serye ng mga orientation sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa, higit na pinagtibay ang iisang direksyon ng mga pamantasan at kolehiyo na maisama ang kalusugan at kapakanan ng mga mag-aaral sa mas malawak namga sistema at programa sa loob ng eskwelahan. Binigyang-diin din ng aktibidad na ang mga HEIs ay hindi lamang mga sentro ng akademikong pagkatuto, kundi mga pamayanang may mahalagang papel sa paglikha ng mgakapaligirang gumagabay, nangangalaga, at nagbibigay-kapangyarihan sa mga mag-aaral.
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