The University of Northern Philippines College of Health Sciences (CHS) celebrated World Immunization Day through an extension activity conducted in Gawad Kalinga in San Sebastian, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur on April 23–24, 2024.

Lectures were conducted with Gawad Kalinga residents to increase the awareness of mothers and caregivers the importance of immunization and vaccine in the fight of life-threatening diseases to reduce the morbidity and mortality among children against the most common vaccine-preventable diseases. 15 parents participated in the lectures.

The CHS faculty members who were lecturers and facilitators of the two-day lecture were Ms. Teodora Soliven, Ms. Ma. Cristina Alcausin, Ms. Lowie Lynette Basconcillo, Ms. Jovie May Adversalo, Dr. Fe Rodillas, Dr. Romelia Tamayo, and Mr. Vincent Viste.

In addition to the lectures conducted to the residents, a training on mushroom processing was also held as an alternative livelihood to utilize the resources available in the area. It can be recalled that the past extension activities were lectures on the preparation and the provision of the needed materials for mushroom culture to GK beneficiaries. Mushroom are now being harvested by the residents and so is the need for processing.

Trainers in the mushroom processing were University Extension Office Coordinators Prof. May Evelia Ruadap and Ms. Claudette Rabago.

Article and photo by Johnny Allagadan Jr.