In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples’ Month, a community-focused workshop titled “Growing Value from Garden Produce to Healthier Communities” was successfully conducted by the College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Education (CLASE) academic and non-academic personnel and students with the IP community last October 14, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at RADA Hall.
With the theme, “Mga Katutubo at Katutubong Dunong: Pahalagahan, Pangalagaan at Parangalan”, the half-day event brought together CLASE faculty, students, and indigenous community leaders and members to explore practical, nature-based, and culturally rooted solutions for community wellness, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.
The activity addressed key aspects of community health and resourcefulness through five core focus areas: Generic Medicines and Health Education, Storytelling for Children & Learning Through Stories, Plants for Nutrition, Health, Sanitation, and Hygiene, Nutritious Food Preparation Using Local Resources, and Turning Food Waste into Useful and Valuable Products. Participants learned about the safety, efficacy, and affordability of generic medicines from Prof. Ian De Los Reyes of the College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology, empowering families to make informed and cost-effective healthcare decisions in the topic on Generic Medicines and Health Education, while young participants were introduced to storytelling through a session with CLASE faculty, Dr. Erwin Sustento, with Mr. Joemar Sustento. Meanwhile, Dr. Maybelle Nicer and Dr. Kristine Gay Jalandoni highlighted the multi-purpose benefits of local plants in their topic on Plants for Nutrition, Health, Sanitation, and Hygiene, whilst Prof. Dorothy Cajandig of the Education Program showcased creative, low-cost recipes utilizing indigenous crops and locally sourced garden produce in her session on Nutritious Food Preparation Using Local Resources. Finally, Prof. Patricia Vergara of the Chemistry Program guided attendees on how to turn food waste such as used oil and compost into useful, valuable products such as soap and paper.
The activity highlighted the vital role of traditional knowledge and local resources in fostering healthy, resilient, and sustainable communities, marking a meaningful highlight for this year’s Indigenous Peoples’ Month celebrations.
The CLASE community outreach was conducted in partnership with USA’s Student Affairs and Community Extension Office (SACEO). CLASE is headed by its dean, Dr. Nenelyn de la Fuente.
For more information on CLASE and its programs, visit usa.edu.ph.
#VivaSanAgustin #SDG3GoodHealthAndWellBeing #SDG4QualityEducation #SDG10ReducedInequalities #SDG12ResponsibleConsumptionAndProduction
