In the shadow of Super Typhoon Uwan, with the barangay hall lit only by daylight and determination, Barangay Health Workers from two communities gathered, not to be defeated by the storm, but to rise stronger as the lifeline of grassroots health education. This spirit of resilience set the tone for the community health education program titled “Pagtukdo, Pag-ataman, asin Estratehiya: Para sa Masigla, Marhay na Komunidad,” held on November 14, 2025, at the Barangay Balongay Barangay Hall in Calabanga, Camarines Sur.
The event, organized by the Master of Arts in Nursing and Master in Nursing students of Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) Graduate School under NSG 701: Curriculum Development in Nursing, brought together Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) from Barangay Dominorog and Barangay Balongay for an afternoon of learning amidst adversity. Guided by ADNU College of Nursing Dean and Course Professor Delia B. Oco, RN, MN, MAN, PhD, the activity pushed through despite a total power outage in the area – an outcome of the typhoon’s aftermath. Instead of halting the program, the organizers adapted swiftly, shifting to manual teaching strategies using manila paper, bond paper, and cartolina to maintain the quality and continuity of the sessions.
Carrying the theme “Pagpapusog sa mga Barangay Health Workers (BHW) sa Paagi nin Bago asin Epektibong mga Estratehiya sa Pagtukdo para sa Kumpletong Promosyon nin Salud” or “Empowering Community Health Workers Through Innovative Teaching Strategies for Holistic Health Promotion,” the initiative sought to strengthen BHWs’ capacities as educators and health advocates. It aimed to enhance their skills in communication, teaching, and community engagement – core competencies that empower them to drive disease prevention, wellness promotion, and health equity at the grassroots level.
Three substantive sessions shaped the program. The first, led by Andriya Kayle Dela Torre, RN, highlighted the indispensable role of BHWs as educators whose cultural fluency and proximity to the community make them critical partners in achieving national health goals, including Universal Health Care UHC). Dela Torre emphasized this role by stating, “An mga BHW tinutukduan tanganing magdara nin edukasyon manungod sa nasyonal na mga prioridad sa salud, na kritikal para makamit an Universal Health Care (UHC). An kapangganahan kan mga BHW bilang tagatukdo yaon sa saindang paagi asin pagkaka-intindi sa kultura.”
The second session, delivered by Jinky Noblefranca, RN, focused on effective teaching strategies tailored to community settings. She discussed practical methods that BHWs can adapt to ensure that health messages are understood, remembered, and practiced. The third session, facilitated by Christine Cleo Brabante, RN, emphasized the centrality of empathy in communication. She reminded participants that, beyond conveying health information, BHWs play a compassionate role in understanding and uplifting their communities, saying, “An mga Barangay Health Worker, dai sana mga paratukdo para padanayon an maray na salud, kundi mga kaabay sa pag-ayad asin pag-intindi.”
The event concluded with an engaging open forum, followed by the awarding of certificates and tokens to honor the dedication of the BHWs who continue to serve their communities even in challenging circumstances. The absence of electricity became not a setback but a testament to collective adaptability, resourcefulness, and unwavering commitment to community service.
Ultimately, the program reaffirmed the vital role of Barangay Health Workers as the heartbeat of community health promotion. By enhancing their teaching competencies and empowering them with effective, culturally sensitive strategies, the initiative strengthened their ability to educate, guide, and inspire their communities toward better health. In a time marked by storms—both literal and societal—the training stood as a powerful reminder that true resilience begins with people who choose to serve, to teach, and to hope.
Prepared by:
John Walter V. Ragragio, RN
Master of Arts in Nursing
Ateneo de Naga University-Graduate School
