SDO-Nueva Vizcaya School Health and Nutrition Unit

19/09/2025

No child left behind. The School Health and Nutrition Section conducted a two-day medical-dental mission and Learners Health Assessment & Screening (LHAS) for the last-mile schools in Alfonso-Castañeda.

Reaching Lipuga, Pelaway, and Cawayan Elementary Schools was no easy feat, but our team, led by Dr. Ryan Christopher RC Buccat , Dr. Aaron Paul, and Nurse Rudy Agustin, along with guest doctors Dr. Stephanie Parong and Dr. Ross Rejano, and our DOH-deployed nurses, made it happen. Together, we were able to provide much-needed care to these communities with limited access to health services. To God Be The Glory!

13/09/2025

✨ Project I SHINE (Improving Sanitation, Health and Nutrition Services) ✨
Medical Mission in Bantinan Elementary School, Sta. Fe

The Medical Mission under Project I SHINE (Improving Sanitation, Health and Nutrition Services) was successfully conducted at Bantinan Elementary School, Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya.

This meaningful initiative was made possible through the collective efforts and support of dedicated leaders, partners, and stakeholders:

Hon. Mayor Liwayway Caramat for her continuous leadership and assistance

Sir Arnel Batalla, District Supervisor for his encouragement and guidance

Ma’am Darlene Cabras Derije, School Head of Bantinan ES for her warm welcome and cooperation

Kapitan Sonny Calanse together with the Barangay Bantinan Council, teachers, parents, and community members for their active participation and hospitality

Philippine Medical Association – Nueva Vizcaya Medical Society (PMA-NVMS) with Dra. Ma Stephanie Parong, Dr. Ross Rejano and our DepEd Medical Officer Dr. Ryan Christopher RC Buccat for their steadfast commitment to community health services

Nurse Sarah Silan Montenegro of Barangay Bantinan

Sincere appreciation is also extended to the generous partners and friends who contributed to the activity:

Mars Roanne Lu and Melvin Lu of Lunas Pharmacy, together with their staff led by Kuya Rodelio A. Gabrino, for donating medicines and vitamins for learners and the community

Board Member Leah Basilio Del-Isen Tidang and Sir Donie Dinumla Tidang (CupOf Stories, Malico)

Sir Fren Rennier Meniado Derraco, for the consistent support in every initiative

Special recognition is given to Sir Rudy Agustin, NIC and Mam Tin Rodriguez SNDP, for their effort and continuing to inspire and strengthen the team in their health and nutrition endeavors.

The mission stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, compassion, and shared vision in improving the health and well-being of learners and communities. Together, Project I SHINE continues to illuminate lives through service. 🌟

13/09/2025

Project SMART in Action! ✨

Last September 9–10, we successfully held Project SMART (School Mental Health Awareness and Resiliency Training) cm HEEADSSS and CARS Workshop for our school nurses, guidance counselors, and guidance designates.

The workshop provided participants with practical training on two vital tools:

HEEADSSS (Home, Education/Employment, Eating, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, Suicide/Depression, and Safety) – a structured psychosocial assessment framework, discussed by Dr. Ryan Christopher RC Buccat, Medical Officer of DepEd Nueva Vizcaya.

CARS (Child and Adolescent Resilience Scale) – a tool for measuring resilience and mental health status of learners, facilitated by Sir Ben Clarion Llantada, SHNU Nurse and Mental Health Focal.

The sessions were highly interactive, engaging, and meaningful, fostering both learning and collaboration among participants. Beyond the technical knowledge, the atmosphere of the training encouraged openness, empathy, and shared commitment to safeguarding the well-being of learners.

As the workshop concluded, participants expressed readiness and confidence to apply their newly acquired skills in their respective schools. With the use of HEEADSSS and CARS, they are now better equipped to identify, assess, and respond to the mental health and psychosocial needs of students—ensuring that schools remain safe, supportive, and nurturing spaces.

Project SMART continues to be a testament to the division’s commitment to promoting mental health awareness, building resilience, and empowering educators to care for the whole child.

29/08/2025

✅ Successful Conduct of the 2-Day Healthy Learning Institution – To***co Intervention Workshop & Disease Surveillance Training

Held last August 28–29, 2025 at Blue Coast Beach Resort, Sta. Ana, Cagayan, the activity brought together experts and advocates for health to strengthen the campaign against to***co use and enhance disease surveillance capacities.

🎙 Our esteemed speakers and their topics were:

Dr. Aaron Paul, DMD, FICCDE – To***co Cessation and Oral Cancer Screening

Ms. Kaye CG, RN – Break Free: Brief To***co Interventions for a Healthier Tomorrow

Ms. Ezra Ella M. Mendoza, RN – Smoke & V**e Free Nueva Vizcaya

Dr. Ryan Christopher RC Buccat , MD, MPHHA – Contagion and Control: Strengthening Our Defense Against Infectious Threats

Mr. Jan Tugadi, RN, MPH, PHSAE – Introduction to Disease Causation and Policies

Mr. Dwight Duval Artienda, RN – PIDSr and Epidemic Prone Disease Surveillance

🙏 We extend our deepest gratitude to the PDOHO office led by Sir Jan Tugadi, Ma’am Mari Vi Galia, and Sir Windy Tumaneng, as well as to Sir James Agarpao Corpuz, Ma’am Paulene Keith Atal, and the Regional DOH, and to SDO Nueva Vizcaya SGOD chief Ancheta, ASDS Ceperez SDS sir Orlando Manuel for making this learning opportunity possible.

Together, let us continue building Healthy Learning Institutions where health and education thrive hand in hand. 🌿📚

18/08/2025

A step towards better health!
We successfully conducted a Free Bone Density and Anemia Screening for the employees of DepEd SDO Nueva Vizcaya in partnership with Unilab-Biofemme and our School Health and Nutrition Unit. Many of our colleagues were served and given proper health guidance to support their overall well-being.

16/08/2025

The last 4 clusters of our Healthy Learning Institution INSET successfully wrapped up —
Aritao-Sta.Fe Cluster
Bambang-Dupax Norte Cluster
Bayombong-Quezon-Solano Cluster
Villaverde-Bagabag-Diadi Cluster

made possible by the dedication of our 15 hardworking SNDPs, the guidance and active participation of our SDO nurses, the leadership of our Medical Officer, with the coordination of the PDOHO and PIHO office, all under the direction of DepEd Top Management.. To God be all the glory!!

14/08/2025

"Timmulong cm SDO-On-Wheels at Project GIFTS, Nagkasalubong sa Sawmill Elementary School."

Agosto 14, 2025
Sawmill, Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya.

Ginaganap ngayong araw Agosto 14 ang Project GIFTS at Timmulong cm SDO-On-Wheels sa Sawmill Elementary School na parehong may layuning masuri at masig**o ang maayos na kalusugan ng bawat mag-aaral at mga g**o ng nasabing paaralan.

Nagkaroon naman ng munting programa ang "Timmulong" na pinaunlakang daluhan nina SDS Orlando E. Manuel PhD, CESE V, Chief SGOD Romulo S. Ancheta, District-In-Charge Rubilyn C. Gajo, SB Member Hon. Engr. Jorge S. Gasmin at Mama Mayora Ronelie U. Valtoribio.

Ang dalawang programa ang parehong maghahatid ng serbisyong pangkalusagan gaya ng:

Medical Consultation and Treatment
Dental Services
Distribution of Health Kits
Free Haircut
Delousing
Free Reading Glasses
at marami pang iba.

kasama ang ibat-ibang Stakeholders sa pagtulong upang maisakatuparan ito ay ang sumusunod na organisasyon:

Office of the Congressman Atty. Timothy Joseph Cayton
Christian Missionary Doctors (Para-Churches)
Local Government of Villaverde Mayor Atty. Ronelie U. Valtoribio NVMCI (Nueva Vizcaya Modulators Club Inc.)
Solano Educators Lions Club International
Order of the Amaranth Villaverde Court No. 47
Cruris Holistic Link
JSG Construction

"Maraming Salamat po sa inyong lahat!"

11/08/2025

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐑𝐇: 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬!

From August 8–10, 2025, the School Health and Nutrition Unit, led by the ever-dedicated Icarus C. Canam (focal person for Adolescent Reproductive Health), brought together passionate youth leaders from high schools all over the province for Project ARH – Advocating Responsible Health Choices.

Three days. Countless ideas. Unstoppable energy. Participants learned, laughed, and leveled up their life skills through fun, interactive activities and open conversations about health, values, and decision-making.

Massive thanks to our amazing partners and resource speakers—Marnuela Q. Dela Cruz, Euelyn R. Cainap, and Ian Dave Lodriguito from POPCOM, plus our very own SHNU team—for making the sessions impactful and inspiring.

Because empowering the youth isn’t just about sharing facts—it’s about creating a safe space where they can grow, speak up, and make choices that shape a healthier, brighter future. 🌈💪

11/08/2025

𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓:
𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐗-𝐉𝐔𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋
𝐏𝐈𝐄𝐙𝐀, 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐄

𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙅𝙀𝘾𝙏 𝙂𝙄𝙁𝙏𝙎 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙇𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙉𝙀𝙍𝙎 𝙑.9
2016-2025

ꜰᴜɴᴅᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴏᴄᴀʟ ɢᴏᴠᴇʀɴᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴠɪʟʟᴀᴠᴇʀᴅᴇ ʜᴇᴀᴅᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴍᴀᴍᴀ ᴍᴀʏᴏʀᴀ ᴀᴛᴛʏ. ʀᴏɴᴇʟɪᴇ ᴜ. ᴠᴀʟᴛᴏʀɪʙɪᴏ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴜɴɪᴄɪᴘᴀʟ ʜᴇᴀʟᴛʜ ᴏꜰꜰɪᴄᴇ ʜᴇᴀᴅᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴅʀ. ᴛᴇʟᴇꜱꜰᴏʀᴏ ᴀ. ʀᴀɢᴘᴀ.

(ᴘʀᴏᴘᴏɴᴇɴᴛꜱ: ᴛʀɪᴄɪᴀ ᴄ. ᴘᴀꜱᴄᴜᴀ, ʟᴜᴄᴋʏ ᴇʀɪᴄᴋꜱᴏɴ ʙ. ᴄᴀʀʙᴏɴᴇʟʟ ᴀɴᴅ ᴊᴏʜɴ ᴡᴀʀʀʏ ᴏ. ᴀʟᴠᴇɴᴅɪᴀ)

ɪɴ ᴘᴀʀᴛɴᴇʀꜱʜɪᴘ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴘʀᴏᴊᴇᴄᴛ ᴀᴍᴀʀᴀɴᴛʜ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴍᴀʀᴀɴᴛʜ ᴠɪʟʟᴀᴠᴇʀᴅᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʀᴛ ɴᴏ. 47, ᴅᴇᴘᴇᴅ ᴠɪʟʟᴀᴠᴇʀᴅᴇ ᴅɪꜱᴛʀɪᴄᴛ, ʙꜰᴘ ᴠɪʟʟᴀᴠᴇʀᴅᴇ, ᴘɴᴘ ᴠɪʟʟᴀᴠᴇʀᴅᴇ, ʙᴀʀᴀɴɢᴀʏ ʜᴇᴀʟᴛʜ ᴡᴏʀᴋᴇʀꜱ, ᴍᴜɴɪᴄɪᴘᴀʟ ʜᴇᴀʟᴛʜ ᴏꜰꜰɪᴄᴇ, ᴠɪʟʟᴀᴠᴇʀᴅᴇ ᴍᴜɴɪᴄɪᴘᴀʟ ɴᴜᴛʀɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴄɪʟ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ʜᴇᴀᴅꜱ ᴛᴇᴀᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏɴ-ᴛᴇᴀᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴɴᴇʟ.

09/08/2025

"Empowering Educators for Healthier Schools – The Healthy Learning Institution (HLI) INSET for the Kayapa District gathered teachers from 12 participating schools at Kayapa Central School on August 1, 2025. With school heads and nurses serving as program focals, the training highlighted the vital role of educators in shaping schools that champion health alongside academic excellence.

HLI equips teachers with the knowledge and tools to promote physical fitness, mental wellness, psychosocial support, and a safe, sustainable environment for learners. More than just a program, it is a movement toward making health a natural part of everyday school culture.

Through this initiative, educators unite in their commitment to create learning spaces where children can grow, learn, and thrive in all aspects of life. The Healthy Learning Institution is a collaborative effort of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH), working together to build a healthier future for every learner.

09/08/2025