Medical students assigned in Alicia, both in Kauswagan and Milagrosa, had the privilege of a courtesy call with the municipal mayor during their community exposure. This meaningful interaction highlights the importance of collaboration between local leaders and future healthcare professionals in addressing the health needs of the community. Together, we aim to create lasting solutions for a healthier and more vibrant future in Alicia.

We had the opportunity to engage with Barangay Milagrosa officials during our first week in the community. This courtesy call allowed for meaningful discussions on addressing local health challenges and collaborating on initiatives that aim to improve the overall health and well-being of the residents. By working together, we are paving the way for a healthier, more resilient community. 

We conducted house-to-house visits in Barangay Milagrosa, gathering essential health data from residents. This initiative aimed to better understand the community's health needs and identify areas for improvement, fostering a more informed approach to local healthcare solutions. 

A barangay assembly was held to discuss pressing community health problems, with medical students and local officials leading the conversation. Residents shared concerns, and together, we explored potential solutions to improve healthcare access, prevention, and overall well-being in the community. 

Back in the field as of June 20, 2025 for our second community exposure, focusing on in-depth data gathering and analysis. This phase strengthens our commitment to understanding and addressing real community needs. 

We paid a courtesy call to the officials of Barangay Milagrosa, led by Barangay Captain, Hon. Catherine Traje, last June 24, 2025.

The visit aimed to foster collaboration and share the objectives of the team’s community health initiatives and schedule for their second exposure. This courtesy call marks the start of a meaningful partnership in advancing health and development in the barangay. 

On June 28, 2025, the residents of Barangay Milagrosa gathered for ZUMBAYLA MILAGROSA 2025 – Sayaw Para sa Lawas, Kalipay Para sa Kasingkasing!, a vibrant health initiative aimed at promoting physical fitness and cardio health through dance. The activity focused on highlighting the benefits of regular exercise, stress relief, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle while bringing community members together in a fun and engaging environment.

To ensure the success and wide reach of the activity, the event was organized through the collaborative efforts of the Barangay Health Council, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), and dedicated active volunteers, who all worked hand-in-hand to mobilize and energize our residents.

Last July 1, 2025, we, Team Maralag Milagrosa and Team Uswag Kauswagan of Ateneo de Zamboanga University, together with our preceptors, made a courtesy visit to Hon. Alvie Musa, Mayor of Alicia.

During the visit, we shared our health-related goals, upcoming activities, and collaborative plans for our second community exposure in Barangays Milagrosa and Kauswagan. We also took the opportunity to express our sincere gratitude for the LGU’s continued support in strengthening public health and community partnerships. 

We joined the Barangay Assembly on July 1, 2025, to present their activity calendar, goals for their second exposure, and key health issues from their previous immersion.

They were joined by the barangay council, BHWs, CVO officers, and staff, fostering a more inclusive discussion and aligning efforts for upcoming health initiatives.

On July 2, 2025, we had the privilege of taking part in Purokalusugan, a community-based health initiative dedicated to making vital medical services accessible to every household. During this event, we worked alongside Nurse Kim as she visited Purok 2 and Purok 6 to conduct blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, taking an essential step toward early disease detection and health monitoring for our community members. 

We conducted a medical mission Misyon sa Kahayag ug Panglawas: Mission of Light and Health on July 4, 2025, alongside Dr. Alexis Valdez, Dr. Sheinorino Sotto, and Dr. Jermae Rubares, delivering vital health services to the community.

The mission aimed to reach underserved residents, promote preventive care, and strengthen collaboration between healthcare providers and the barangay.

On July 12, 2025, a collaborative re-prioritization activity was conducted with residents, barangay officials, purok leaders, and other leaders using the Hanlon Method, allowing the community to rank identified problems based on magnitude, severity, and feasibility of action. The results of this activity will help guide evidence-based planning and the development of appropriate community interventions. 

As of June 3, 2026, we are once again in the Municipality of Alicia, Barangay Milagrosa, for our third deployment. Building on our earlier visits, we worked closely with the community to formulate well-planned and targeted interventions aligned with their needs.

Back where learning meets service. On January 6, 2026, we had our Barangay Assembly with the goal of reinforcing community engagement, shared responsibility, and sustainable health initiatives.

Last January 7, 2026, Team Maralag Milagrosa and Team Uswag Kauswagan of Ateneo de Zamboanga University, together with our preceptor, Dr. Joan Talavera, conducted a courtesy visit to Hon. Alvie Musa, Mayor of Alicia.

During the visit, the teams provided updates on the progress of previously conducted activities and discussed plans for formulating interventions addressing the community health problems earlier identified in the assigned barangays. The teams likewise expressed their sincere appreciation for the continued support of the Local Government Unit in advancing community health programs and strengthening institutional partnerships.

We had our meeting with the community stakeholders at Alicia Municipal Hall on January 15, 2026, bringing together local leaders and partners for a meaningful discussion.

The meeting focused on presenting the identified priority health problems in the community, grounded on our assessments and shared community experiences.

During the meeting, we also presented our proposed intervention plans, aiming to collaboratively address these health concerns through sustainable and community-driven approaches. 

This engagement marked an important step in aligning our goals with the community's needs and strengthening stakeholder partnership for effective health action.

Last January 19, 2026, we partook in the Ligtas Tigdas and Deworming Program conducted by the Rural Health Unit of the Municipality.

During the activity, we assisted in the implementation of the program and observed ongoing public health efforts aimed at preventing measles and reducing the burden of soil-transmitted helminth infections among children. Our participation allowed us to gain valuable insights into community-based health service delivery while supporting the municipality’s initiatives in promoting child health and disease prevention.

We held a meeting with the Barangay Council of Milagrosa on January 27, 2026 to formally present the health problems identified in the community through our ongoing community exposure. The discussion highlighted key health concerns and their impact on the overall well-being of the residents.

We also shared our proposed intervention plans and actively sought the council's guidance, support, and recommendations to further improve and tailor these initiatives to the community's needs.

Their valuable insights play an essential role in strengthening collaboration and ensuring the success of our planned health programs.

Last January 30, 2026, we met with the Provincial Health Officer of Zamboanga Sibugay together with Team Uswag Kauswagan to discuss the list of formulated interventions addressing the identified health problems in our respective barangays.

During the meeting, we presented and reviewed the proposed interventions, and exchanged insights. This engagement also served as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration and coordination in advancing effective and sustainable community health initiatives.

Back where the real work happens! 🏡✨

On July 24, 2026, our team returned to the community to officially roll out our planned health interventions. Built directly on the insights gathered from our previous community health assessments, these initiatives are designed to address the specific health needs of the residents and promote sustainable community wellness. Returning to the field enabled us to translate our data and research into direct action, delivering structured programs tailored to the community's priorities.

To ensure the effective execution of these initiatives, we collaborated closely with the barangay council and local government units across both Barangay Milagrosa and the Municipality of Alicia. Working side-by-side with local officials, health workers, and community leaders facilitated seamless coordination and active participation, establishing a strong foundation for long-term health improvements in the area.

On July 2, 2026, we paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Alvie Musa together with our preceptors as part of the commencement of our community exposure. During the meeting, we reintroduced the identified health concerns and priority problems within the community and presented the planned activities and interventions that we aim to implement throughout our exposure. The discussion provided an opportunity to align our proposed initiatives with the needs of the community while strengthening collaboration and support from the local government.

We are sincerely grateful to Mayor Alvie Musa, Al-hadj and the entire LGU of Alicia for their warm welcome, unwavering support, and genuine hospitality. Their openness to our proposed initiatives and willingness to collaborate have encouraged us to carry out this community exposure with greater purpose and commitment. This meaningful engagement reaffirmed our shared dedication to promoting sustainable, community-centered health programs for the welfare of the communities we serve.

A courtesy call with the Barangay Council marked the start of this phase of our community engagement, where we formally presented our proposed interventions and the schedule of activities for the duration of our community exposure. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss our implementation timeline, outline the health strategies we plan to introduce, and align our objectives with the needs and priorities of the community.

 Through this collaborative dialogue, we received valuable insights and recommendations from the barangay officials, helping us refine our plans and ensure that our upcoming activities are well-coordinated, responsive to local concerns, and fully supported by the community as we embark on this phase of our fieldwork.

On July 8. 2026, we met with the municipal leaders of Alicia to strengthen rabies prevention and reinforce responsible pet ownership, focusing on targeted interventions for Barangay Milagrosa. The session with Municipal Agriculture Officer, Mrs. Imelda De Asis, centered on aligning core programs, specifically annual dog and cat vaccination campaigns, stray pet impounding strategies, and specialized action plans to increase compliance within the barangay.

To sustain these initiatives, a subsequent meeting was held with the Secretary to the Sanggunian of Alicia, Mrs. Celeste Marie G. Boquiren, to review the legislative processes and requirements for drafting localized, barangay-level ordinances. The objective is to establish clear regulatory measures that directly address low compliance and uphold pet owner accountability at the grassroots level.

We extend our deepest gratitude to both Mrs. De Asis and Mrs. Boquiren, for their invaluable time, guidance, and institutional support. Their collaborative leadership is instrumental as we work toward a safer, healthier, and rabies-free Barangay Milagrosa.

After three meaningful and productive days, our team successfully concluded the Purok-to-Purok Teaching Program: Kahibalo Bahin sa Rabies.

Throughout the program, we had the opportunity to visit Puroks 1, 2, 6, and 7 to conduct health education sessions on responsible pet ownership and rabies prevention. To assess the effectiveness of our educational intervention, participants completed both pre-tests and post-tests, which demonstrated a notable improvement in their knowledge and understanding of the topic.

The program culminated in a grand community assembly held at the Barangay Milagrosa Covered Court, where residents from Puroks 3, 4, and 5 actively participated in the final educational session. Seeing the community come together with enthusiasm and a shared commitment to promoting health and safety made the experience especially rewarding.

This initiative would not have been possible without the unwavering support and cooperation of the residents of Barangay Milagrosa and the dedicated Purok Representatives, whose leadership and active participation were instrumental to the success of the program. Their collaboration exemplified the power of community partnership in advancing public health. As we conclude this activity, we remain hopeful that the knowledge gained will contribute to safer practices, responsible pet ownership, and the continued prevention of rabies within the community.

On July 13 and 15. 2026, we conducted crucial consultation meetings with our preceptors and healthcare leaders to refine our upcoming community health programs for Barangay Milagrosa. We sat down with Doc Joan Talavera to discuss the Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for our Hypertension Club, ensuring that our guidelines align with effective clinical and community standards. Furthermore, we coordinated with Doc Jermae Rubares-Sotto of Alicia District Hospital (ADH) to review our referral forms, aiming to build a more streamlined and efficient referral system for the community. These discussions are pivotal in bridging the gap between grassroots health initiatives and institutional medical care.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Doc Joan Talavera and Doc Jermae Rubares-Sotto for lending their time, expertise, and invaluable insights. Their guidance helps ensure that our proposed systems are not only practical but also highly effective in addressing the community's healthcare needs. Together, we move one step closer to establishing smoother, more sustainable health systems for the people of Barangay Milagrosa.

A significant milestone in our community health initiative was achieved with the official signing and approval of the Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for the Barangay Milagrosa Hypertension Wellness (HYPE-WELL) Club. This important step was formalized during a collaborative meeting with the Municipal Health Officer, Dr. Joan Talavera, marking the beginning of a structured and sustainable approach to hypertension prevention and management within the community.

The approval of the SOP establishes a clear framework for the implementation and continuity of the HYPE-WELL Club, ensuring that future activities are organized, evidence-based, and responsive to the health needs of Barangay Milagrosa. More importantly, it reflects the strong partnership between the community, local government officials, and healthcare professionals in promoting long-term cardiovascular health.

As we move forward with the implementation of this initiative, we remain committed to empowering residents through health education, regular monitoring, and community participation. The establishment of the HYPE-WELL Club represents not only the launch of a health program but also a shared commitment to fostering a healthier and more proactive community.

Empowering the community to take charge of their health! 

On July 17, 2026, we conducted the Orientation and Election of Pioneering Officers for the Milagrosa Hypertension Wellness "Hype-Well" Club. The orientation focused on educating our members about hypertension management, lifestyle modifications, and the core goals of the club.

To ensure the sustainability and smooth leadership of this program, the members actively participated in electing their very first set of pioneering officers. This milestone event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Barangay Health Council, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), and our dedicated active volunteers, who all worked hand-in-hand to mobilize and support our residents.

We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm and commitment shown by the community. Congratulations to the newly elected pioneering officers of the "Hype-Well" Club! Your dedication to leading your fellow community members toward better health is truly inspiring. Together with our local health workforce and volunteers, we look forward to building a stronger, healthier, and more empowered Barangay Milagrosa.

As part of our commitment to promoting a cleaner and healthier community, our team participated in the Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) conducted in collaboration with the Barangay Local Government Unit of Milagrosa and the Alicia Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO). The three-day activity aimed to assess the types and quantities of solid waste generated by households within the barangay, providing valuable data to guide future environmental health initiatives.

Selected households from each purok took part in the study by properly segregating their daily household waste into appropriately labeled containers. Through their active participation, the community contributed essential information that will help identify prevailing waste generation patterns and support evidence-based planning for improved solid waste management.

The findings from the WACS will serve as a foundation for strengthening programs on waste segregation, recycling, composting, and other environmental initiatives. More importantly, the activity highlighted the importance of community involvement in achieving sustainable environmental practices. By working together, residents, local government officials, and community partners are taking meaningful steps toward creating a cleaner, healthier, and more environmentally responsible Barangay Milagrosa