04/05/2026
๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ผ๐น ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐-๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ต๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ง๐ฒ๐ฎ๐บ๐
The Bicol Region has achieved a significant milestone by hosting the first-ever ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ต๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ (๐๐๐) ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ง๐ฒ๐ฎ๐บ๐ a pioneering event not only for the region but also for the entire Philippines. The Department of Health Center for Health Development V (DOH CHD Bicol), in partnership with the Bicol Region General Hospital and Geriatric Medical Center (BRGHGMC), took the lead in this historic initiative, held at the BRGHGMC Training Center from April 21-23, 2026.
This groundbreaking activity was designed in response to the growing need for specialized, interdisciplinary care for the country's aging population. The CGA approach, widely recognized as the gold standard in geriatric care, comprehensively addresses the medical, functional, cognitive, psychological, nutritional, and social needs of older adults moving beyond traditional, disease- centered models.
The three-day program featured a robust curriculum delivered by a distinguished line-up of resource speakers, including Bicol Geriatricians such as Dr. Christianne D. Sajulga, Dr. Clarin M. Rada-Llenaresas, Dr. Cindy Ruth Imperial, Dr. Antonio Cruel, Dr. Malyn Granado, and BRGHGMC's Geriatric Nurse Specialists Ms. Felicidad II A. Jeremias, and Ms. Jencen V. Santiago. Also lending her expertise was Ms. Twinkle Jean P. Lorilla, Regional Healthy Aging Program Coordinator of Bicol CHD. Together, these experts guided participants through lectures, practical demonstrations, case discussions, and hands-on workshops all aimed at equipping trainees to conduct standardized CGA and empower their own hospital teams.
The event drew enthusiastic participation from geriatric teams representing Bicol Medical Center, Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center, Sorsogon Provincial Hospital, Naga City General Hospital, and Legazpi City Hospital. This collaborative spirit highlights the region's commitment to elevating geriatric care and fostering interdisciplinary teamwork.
Special recognition was also given to the leadership and support of Dr. Ramon C. Echano (Medical Center Chief II of BRGHGMC), Dr. Roderick Belleza (BRGHGMC OIC- CMPS), and the BRGHGMC Geriatric Core Team, whose vision and dedication were instrumental in bringing this initiative to fruition.
As the first of its kind in the Philippines, this Training of Trainers program sets a new benchmark for institutionalizing person- centered, evidence-based geriatric care in hospital settings. By establishing a core group of hospital-based trainers, the Bicol Region is paving the way for the systematic cascade of CGA expertise ensuring that best practices reach the frontline of healthcare and improve outcomes for elderly patients across the region.
This event is more than just a training; it is a statement of Bicol's leadership in health innovation and its commitment to the well- being of older adults. With continued partnership and support, the momentum built by this historic activity promises to drive further progress in geriatric care, both in the Bicol Region and throughout the Philippines.
