June 2025

A New Chapter for R.T. Lim: Oathtaking Ceremony & Courtesy Visit

Our team had the privilege of attending the Panata R.T. Lim Oathtaking and Turnover Ceremony alongside our preceptor, Dr. Gab Batuigas. It was a warm and hopeful celebration, marking a new beginning for the Local Government Unit of R.T. Lim and its people.

More than just a formal event, the ceremony also served as a meaningful courtesy visit to the newly elected municipal leaders, giving us the opportunity to personally express our support and gratitude.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the newly elected officials, especially Mayor Engr. Michael Piodena and Vice Mayor Dr. Queenie Piodena. We thank you for the warm welcome and your inspiring commitment to public service. We look forward to a meaningful partnership in promoting health and community development in R.T. Lim. Daghang Salamat!

Community Assembly

On June 26, 2025, Team Katipunan successfully held its first Community Assembly at the Barangay Katipunan covered court. The event marked a significant step in deepening our partnership with the local community and promoting health, empowerment, and collaborative decision-making.

The primary objective of the assembly was to conduct the initial prioritization of health problems identified during our household surveys. From the 14 health concerns recognized by our team, the goal was to narrow them down to a focused list of six priority issues through a multi-voting process involving key community stakeholders.

We were honored by the presence of participants from various puroks, and we deeply appreciate the inspiring message delivered by Hon. Hann Daud Jr.

This Community Assembly is just the beginning of a collaborative effort toward building a stronger, healthier, and more empowered Barangay Katipunan, one where community voices lead the way in shaping health priorities and solutions.

Survey, KII, & Focus Group Discussions

Following the successful Community Assembly, Team Katipunan moved forward with the next phase of our community health engagement: conducting an in-depth assessment of the top six health problems identified by residents and stakeholders.

To better understand the root causes and contributing factors behind these health concerns, our team carried out a series of household surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs). These methods allowed us to gather both data and narratives from a wide range of individuals.

Each conversation, response, and shared insight deepened our understanding of the community’s daily realities, existing gaps in health services, and potential barriers to well-being. More importantly, these tools helped amplify the voices of those who are often underrepresented in formal planning.

These efforts serve as the foundation for the next steps: designing responsive, community-centered health interventions aimed at addressing the real needs of Barangay Katipunan.

Barangay Assembly

On July 14, 2025, our team conducted a Barangay Council Assembly at the Barangay Hall of Katipunan to present the findings from our in-depth assessment of the community’s top six health problems. These concerns were initially identified during the previous community assembly and further explored through key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and household surveys.

Using the Hanlon Method of Prioritization, a structured approach for ranking public health concerns, the barangay council members actively participated in evaluating and voting on each issue. As a result of this collaborative process, the top three priority health problems identified for Barangay Katipunan were hypertension, tuberculosis (TB), and HIV. These conditions will now become the central focus of upcoming community-based interventions and health planning efforts.

To express our gratitude for the continuous support of the barangay officials, the assembly concluded with a simple salo-salo, reinforcing the spirit of partnership and shared commitment to community well-being.

Beyond the Barangay: Extending Our Engagement in Community Health

In addition to the various activities we conducted to support the identification and prioritization of health problems in Barangay Katipunan, our team also had the opportunity to take part in several meaningful initiatives that extended our learning and deepened our involvement with the wider community.

We were honored to be invited by our community preceptor, Dr. Gabby Batuigas, to join the Formulation of the Seal of Himsog Surabaynon Assessment Tool, held at Talisay Heights, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. Attending alongside the Rural Health Unit (RHU) staff, this workshop allowed us to witness firsthand the collaborative efforts behind health systems strengthening and the development of tools for sustainable local health governance.

Back in Katipunan, we were also invited to witness the celebration of the 2025 National Women’s Month, a vibrant and empowering event that highlighted the vital role of women in community health and development. Engaging with the women leaders and participants gave us a deeper appreciation for gender-sensitive approaches in public health work.

Moreover, through the initiative of Ma’am Carol, the school nurse, and Ma’am Riza Morados, the principal of Surabay National High School, our team was given the opportunity to conduct a health assessment for all Grade 7 students. This activity reinforced the importance of school-based health promotion and early intervention among adolescents.

These experiences, though outside our initial community objectives, have significantly enriched our understanding of the broader public health landscape in R.T. Lim and strengthened our connection with the community we have grown to serve.

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