By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM Correspondent

Promoting health and wellness among public school educators, the College of Health Sciences (CHS) – Department of Nursing of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), in partnership with the Department of Education – Schools Division of Ilocos Norte (DepEd), launched the Phase III of its extension project, ???????????????????????????????? ????????????????????-???????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????, on November 25 at Suyo National High School-Dingras Campus.

The project stems from DepEd’s request for strengthened health education and screening services for its personnel, particularly on lifestyle-related conditions identified by the Department of Health as among the nation’s top causes of mortality: diabetes mellitus (15%), cancer (30.8%), hypertension (33.61%), and ischemic heart diseases (50.5%). Stress management and COVID-19 health protocols were also highlighted.

Inspired by the Ilocano term ????????????????????????????????, meaning tenderness and care, the program promotes compassionate and culturally grounded health learning by focusing on preventive health, wellness awareness, and empowering school communities to adopt healthier lifestyles through education sessions.

A total of 60 teachers from various elementary and secondary schools in Dingras, identified by the division office under Dr. Lydia Natividad as having existing health conditions, participated in the activity, along with 75 senior high school students.  

Representing Suyo National High School Principal II Amiel Dexter B. Sarmiento, faculty member Mr. Edgar Daquioag emphasized the value of compassion-rooted knowledge in building healthier communities. He encouraged participants to embrace the program as an opportunity for personal growth, partnership, and strengthened well-being.

Present at the event were project leader Dr. Elmer Santos of the CHS Nursing Department; Ms. Valerie Talamayan, designated information officer of DepEd Schools Division of Ilocos Norte; Mr. Rey Lagadon, Nurse II, DepEd Ilocos Norte; and faculty members of the CHS Nursing Department and Suyo NHS.

Guided by the principles “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” and “Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,” the Sappuyot Salun-at program continues to demonstrate MMSU’s sustained dedication to improving community health through education, service, and collaboration.

• MMSU CHS rolls out enhanced health education and screening to DepEd teachers

  NOV 26, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentPromoting health and wellness among public school educators, the College of Health Sciences (CHS) – Department of Nursing of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), in partnership with the Department of Education – Schools Division of Ilocos Norte... [view more]
• MMSU GS and LGU Dingras hold initial meeting on Social Laboratory

  NOV 26, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentAn initial meeting between the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) Graduate School, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Dingras, and the MMSU Extension Directorate discussed the establishment of the Social Laboratory for Professional Education and Rural Deve... [view more]
• Pasuquin onion farmers trained by MMSU and Jollibee Group Foundation

  NOV 20, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM To uplift local white onion growers, the Municipality of Pasuquin partnered with Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) in conducting a Pre-Dispersal Training on White Onion Production at the Municipal Hall Building, November 12... [view more]
• MMSU President’s Farm showcases 8 rice varieties

  NOV 03, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentEight rice varieties under wet season conditions were showcased during the President’s Farm Field Day: A Technology Showcase, spearheaded by the Extension Directorate of MMSU on October 28, in front of the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Dev... [view more]
• Study on MMSU’s School-on-the-Air program wins Best Socioeconomic paper at national confab

  OCT 27, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentThe Best Paper Award in Socioeconomics was granted to Mariano Marcos State University’s (MMSU) flagship extension initiative, the School-on-the-Air (SOA) Program on Sustainable Goat Production, during the 62nd Scientific Meeting and Annual Convention of... [view more]