Community Engagement

The Helping Hands Program is a Community Engagement initiative established by PHINMA University of Iloilo (PHINMA UI) dedicated to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). The program is designed to provide support and assistance to the community during calamities, offering PHINMA UI’s facilities as evacuation centers for nearby barangays affected by disasters. Additionally, the program extends financial aid to students who are victims of these disasters, aiming to renew and reinforce partnerships to enhance and prepare facilities for serving as effective evacuation centers for families impacted by calamities like typhoons and fires.

Main Agenda:
The primary agenda of the Helping Hands Program is to renew and strengthen partnerships that aim to improve and prepare PHINMA UI’s facilities to serve as evacuation centers for hundreds of families affected by calamities in nearby barangays. The program specifically focuses on collaborative efforts with the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ICDRRMO) and the Iloilo City Social Welfare and Development Office (ICSWDO).

Main Activities:
MOU Signing. Facilitating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between PHINMA UI and Iloilo CDRRMO as well as Iloilo City Social Welfare and Development Office (ICSWDO). This formalizes the commitment and partnership to collaborate in disaster response and management.

Evacuation Management Training. Conducting training sessions focusing on evacuation management. These sessions aim to equip volunteers, staff, and stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage evacuation procedures during disasters.

Camp Management Training. Organizing specialized training programs dedicated to camp management. This involves providing comprehensive training to individuals involved in managing evacuation centers, ensuring the smooth operation and support for families displaced by calamities.

Impact and Outcomes:

• Enhanced preparedness and capacity for disaster response and management.
• Improved facilities and resources for serving as efficient evacuation centers.
• Strengthened partnerships between PHINMA UI and relevant government agencies for community resilience.
• Direct assistance and support provided to affected families and students during calamities.

The Helping Hands Program at PHINMA University of Iloilo stands committed to its role in contributing to the welfare and resilience of the community, ensuring a swift and organized response during times of crisis, and offering support to those affected by disasters.

PHINMA University of Iloilo is dedicated to fostering a sustainable environment through its proactive involvement in the preservation and conservation of natural resources. The institution has cultivated a longstanding partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) to advocate for the protection of outstanding natural resources in the region. As part of this commitment, the university has initiated the PHINMA REACHES OUT program, an Environmental Protection and Management Program designed to engage students and staff in activities that support marine ecosystem sustainability and combat the escalating threats of climate change.

Aligned with the Iloilo City Government’s initiative to enhance greening efforts and rehabilitate the city’s waterways, PHINMA UI conducts an annual mangrove planting activity as a pivotal component of its community engagement program. This initiative aims to restore and preserve the coastal ecosystem while fortifying the city’s resilience against environmental risks.

Key Components of PHINMA REACHES OUT:

1. Mangrove Planting Initiative: PHINMA UI organizes an annual mangrove planting activity that involves students, faculty, and staff. Participants actively contribute to the restoration of mangrove habitats along the city’s waterways, fostering biodiversity and providing crucial protection against coastal erosion.
2. Environmental Awareness Campaigns: The program conducts various educational campaigns, workshops, and seminars to raise awareness among the university community about environmental issues, climate change impacts, and the importance of preserving local ecosystems. These initiatives aim to instill a sense of responsibility and eco-consciousness in students and staff.
3. Collaborative Partnerships: PHINMA UI collaborates closely with the Iloilo City Government, NGOs, and local communities to develop comprehensive strategies for sustainable environmental management. These partnerships facilitate knowledge sharing, resource pooling, and the implementation of effective conservation measures.
4. Advocacy and Outreach: PHINMA REACHES OUT extends its impact beyond the university grounds by actively engaging with the broader community through outreach programs, advocacy campaigns, and partnerships with stakeholders. These efforts aim to inspire collective action towards environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

Through the PHINMA REACHES OUT program, PHINMA University of Iloilo is committed to nurturing a culture of environmental responsibility and actively contributing to the preservation of natural resources, thereby creating a more resilient and sustainable future for Iloilo City and its surrounding areas.

1PHINMA Brigada Eskwela is an annual nationwide initiative aimed at fostering community engagement and support within the education sector. Organized by the PHINMA Group, this month-long event encourages employees to actively participate in volunteer activities benefiting specific schools in need across the Philippines.

Objective:
The primary goal of 1PHINMA Brigada Eskwela is to extend a helping hand to identified beneficiary schools by engaging PHINMA employees, including students and staff from PHINMA University of Iloilo, in volunteer work. Through this initiative, PHINMA aims to contribute positively to the improvement of educational facilities and resources for deserving

Duration and Scope:
Taking place throughout August 2023, the program involves member companies of the PHINMA Group dedicating a half-day or whole-day volunteer activity to support selected beneficiary schools. PHINMA’s commitment spans across 41 public schools spread across different regions in the Philippines.

Partner Schools of PHINMA University of Iloilo:
The PHINMA University of Iloilo will collaborate with the following partner schools during 1PHINMA Brigada Eskwela:

LAPAZ NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Location: Jereos Ext. Rd, La Paz, Iloilo City

FORT SAN PEDRO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Location: Iloilo City Proper, Iloilo City

The PHINMA University of Iloilo Blood Donation Drive is an organized initiative aimed at gathering voluntary blood donations from willing individuals within our community. The program serves as a vital avenue for individuals to contribute to the wellbeing of others by donating blood, a crucial resource for medical treatments, surgeries, emergencies, and transfusions.

Our mission behind the bloodletting program is rooted in a profound commitment to serving and improving the health and lives of others. By facilitating these donation drives, we strive to achieve several objectives:

1. Saving Lives: Donated blood is a life-saving resource for individuals undergoing medical treatments, surgeries, accident victims, and those with certain health conditions. Our aim is to build a substantial blood reserve to ensure timely and adequate support for those in need.
2. Community Engagement: We encourage active participation from members of our community, fostering a culture of empathy, solidarity, and altruism. Through engagement in these drives, individuals learn about the critical need for blood donations and how their contribution directly impacts and saves lives.
3. Partnership with Philippine Red Cross: By reaching significant donation milestones, such as the recent achievement of 239 donors and 186 blood units collected, we have established a valuable partnership with the Philippine Red Cross Iloilo Chapter. This partnership allows us to support patients in need by referring them to the Red Cross Blood Center for necessary blood units, provided they are available.
4. Promotion of Health and Well-being: Engaging in regular blood donation drives helps raise awareness about health issues while encouraging individuals to undergo health check-ups and become more conscious of their well-being.

In essence, PHINMA University of Iloilo’s mission extends beyond merely collecting blood. It encompasses fostering a sense of community responsibility, promoting health education, and ensuring that individuals in need have access to life-saving resources. Through our commitment to these principles, we aspire to create a healthier and more compassionate society while saving lives through the generosity of our donors.

The First 1000 Days (F1KD) Malnutrition Program at PHINMA University of Iloilo is a comprehensive initiative aimed at improving maternal and child nutritional status while fostering community resilience against malnutrition in selected barangays of Iloilo City. The program’s core mission is to raise awareness about malnutrition issues and create sustainable interventions that eradicate malnutrition within targeted communities.

Initiated in partnership with the Iloilo City Government, the F1KD Program is designed to address the critical window of opportunity within the first 1000 days of a child’s life, focusing on the period from conception to the child’s second birthday. Led by PHINMA UI’s Center for Student Development and Leadership, the program aims to enhance, accelerate, and expand nutrition interventions specifically in barangays Maria Clara, Ortiz, and Rizal Ibarra located in City Proper from 2022 to 2025.

Key Components:

1. Nutritional Awareness Campaigns: Conducting educational sessions and awareness campaigns to inform mothers and caregivers about the importance of proper nutrition during pregnancy and infancy. These sessions emphasize the significance of breastfeeding, balanced diets, and micronutrient supplementation.
2. Capacity Building and Training: Providing training programs for healthcare professionals, community health workers, and volunteers to enhance their skills in nutrition assessment, counseling, and support services for maternal and child health.
3. Community Engagement and Participation: Involving community members in the planning and implementation of interventions to ensure cultural sensitivity, active participation, and sustainability. This includes engaging local leaders, health officials, and community stakeholders.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation: Establishing robust monitoring mechanisms to track the program’s progress, evaluate its impact, and make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement. Regular assessments of nutritional status and program effectiveness are integral parts of the evaluation process.
5. Collaboration with Local Government: Partnering with the Iloilo City Government involves sharing resources, coordinating efforts, and having designated local health officials actively involved in the program’s execution.

PHINMA UI’s commitment to the F1KD Program reflects its dedication to community development, health improvement, and disaster risk reduction. Through this collaborative initiative, the university aims to contribute significantly to eliminating malnutrition and fostering healthier, more resilient communities in Iloilo City.