SDG 3 • Good Health and Well-Being

Promoting Health, Resilience, and Well-Being for Every Filipino

The University of the Philippines advances public health through education, research, and service — improving access to quality care, promoting wellness, and supporting communities in building healthier and more resilient lives.

Indicator 3.2.1 Proportion of graduates in health professions

UP Graduates Strengthen the Global Health Workforce

Each year, the University of the Philippines (UP) System produces approximately 10,000 graduates, many of whom enter health-related professions. Whether serving in local communities or contributing to healthcare systems abroad, these graduates—shaped by UP’s rigorous academic standards—help advance equitable access to quality health services worldwide.

For Academic Year 2023–2024, UP Manila reaffirmed its position as the country’s premier institution for health sciences education, producing the largest number of health profession graduates. Of its 1,179 total graduates, 814—or 69%—earned degrees in health-related disciplines.

Other constituent universities across the UP System also contributed significantly to the health workforce. UP Los Baños produced 120 health-related graduates (5% of 2,315 total), UP Mindanao had 47 (15.4% of 304), UP Visayas had 72 (9.9% of 722), and the UP Open University produced 39 (6.8%) graduates from health-related programs.

Through these graduates, UP continues to uphold its mandate as the national university by educating future doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals who respond to pressing public health challenges and strengthen health systems locally and globally. These outcomes directly contribute to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being, particularly Indicator 3.2.1, which measures the proportion of graduates in health professions.

References
  • Office of International Linkages. (2025, October 13). [2026 Impact ratings collated evidence submission]. University of the Philippines, Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Office of International Linkages.

Indicator 3.3.1 Current collaborations with health institutions

The University of the Philippines (UP) has collaborated with local, national, and global health institutions on projects and initiatives to improve health and well-being outcomes.

  • The UP Asian Center, in partnership with UP-Centre International de Formation des Authorités et Leaders Philippines, the UP Population Institute, Quezon City Public Employment Service Office, and National Commission of Senior Citizens, hosted a free public forum, Migration, Ageing, and the Future of Care, on October 25 2023, at the School of Statistics New Building, UP Diliman.
  • The UP Los Baños (UPLB) University Health Service and the UPLB Gender Center, in partnership with the Office of Congresswoman Ruth Mariano Hernandez, conducted the activity, At Your Cervix, which provided free vaccinations against human papillomavirus (HPV) for 250 women and delivered information about HPV and its vaccine. The activity was held on April 8, 2024 at the UPLB Charles Fuller Baker Memorial Hall.
  • The UP College of Nursing held the NurseLEAD Summit, a celebration of the achievements of public health nurses who have completed the NurseLEAD program, from March 14 to 15, 2024 at the Hilton, Clark, Pampanga, in collaboration with the Johnson & Johnson Foundation through the Global Community Impact.
  • The UP Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for Health Program and the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, together with various health experts and stakeholders across different regions, have agreed to enhance research efforts concerning health-related effects of climate change, disasters, and various types of emergencies by undertaking a series of consultative meetings in different regions in the country to select six priority research areas related to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
  • UP Open University (UPOU), through its 2024 annual blood donation drive that gathered 83 successful donors, demonstrated its continued commitment to community health and well-being.
  • The UPOU Faculty of Management and Development Studies fostered partnerships with local and national government agencies, non-government and private organizations, higher education institutions—including state universities and colleges—and health institutions such as the Los Baños Doctors Hospital and Medical Center, Manila Doctors Hospital, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, and the Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Philippines.

UP College of Pharmacy joins the US-ASEAN Pharmacy Consortium to advance pharmacy education

UP College of Pharmacy Joins the US-ASEAN Pharmacy Consortium to Advance Pharmacy Education

The UP College of Pharmacy joined the US-ASEAN Pharmacy Consortium for the advancement of pharmacy education, research, and practice in the ASEAN Region.

The memorandum of agreement signing was held on June 11, 2024 at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University in Thailand. This was followed by the 4th ASEAN PharmNET 2024: International Conference on Pharmacy Education and Research Network of ASEAN, which was held in conjunction with the US-THAI Pharmacy Consortium 2024, with the 30th Anniversary Commemoration Theme, “Global Collaboration in Pharmacy Education, Practice and Research: Bridging Borders for Health Innovation.” The ASEAN PharmaNET international conference has served as a venue for groundbreaking research and knowledge dissemination across Southeast Asia and a formal mechanism for pharmacy educators, practitioners, and researchers from the US and 10 ASEAN countries to work together to advance the pharmacy profession and improve the lives of patients.

The US member universities are the following: the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy; Auburn University; Purdue University; the University of Arizona; the University of Florida; the University of Hawaii at Hilo; the University of Illinois Chicago; the University of Iowa; the University of Kentucky; the University of Maryland-Baltimore; the University of Minnesota; the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; the University of Texas-Austin; the University of Utah; the University of Washington; the University of Wisconsin-Madison; West Virginia University; and Virginia Commonwealth University.

References

Indicator 3.3.2 Health outreach programmes

In line with UN SDG 3, the University of the Philippines has implemented diverse community initiatives that promote health, wellness, and social inclusion. Through student volunteerism, faculty engagement, and partnerships with government and civil society, these programs advance hygiene, nutrition, mental health, active aging, and other aspects of holistic well-being in local communities.

  • UP-Centre International de Formation des Authorités et Leaders Philippines (UP-CIFAL Philippines), in partnership with the UP Population Institute, UP Asian Center, Quezon City Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and the National Commission of Senior Citizens, conducted the forum Migration, Ageing, and the Future of Care, which explored the experiences of older overseas Filipino workers and caregivers of migrant children, while amplifying the call for a UN convention on the rights of older persons in support of SDGs 3, 8, and 10.
  • UP LAKAN Clark held LAKALINGA: Usbong on June 29, 2024, an outreach activity at Tahanang Mapakalinga ni Madre Rita in Bulacan that brought joy to children through games, performances, and the provision of basic necessities, in collaboration with local government units and partner organizations.
  • From September 2023 to August 2024, the Alpha Phi Omega International Collegiate Service Fraternity and Sorority Omicron Chapter of the UP Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga implemented a series of outreach and wellness initiatives—including clean-up drives, hygiene education workshops, mental health awareness campaigns, and youth support activities—demonstrating sustained commitment to service, health promotion, and community engagement aligned with the UN SDGs.
  • The UPLB Society of Pre-Med Students conducted MedikAKSyon: Tulungan sa Timugan – Medical, Dental, and Tuli Mission 2024 on May 4, 2024, providing free medical, dental, and circumcision services to residents of Barangay Timugan, Los Baños, Laguna, in collaboration with volunteer doctors, dentists, and partner medical organizations.
    In celebration of its 15th anniversary and World Immunization Week, the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority of the UP College of Medicine organized the ImMUnity Forum: Reflecting on 5 Decades of Global Solidarity Against Vaccine-Preventable Diseases on April 29, 2024, at the Ramon Ang Auditorium, featuring global health experts and offering free vaccination to the first 200 attendees.
  • BA Communication Arts students from the MEDIA 197 class of UP Tacloban College conducted the campaign Heat Stroke Perdiha, Kapaso Andaman ‘Ta! on May 25, 2024, in Sta. Fe, Leyte, in partnership with Ugnayan ng Pahinungód, the Philippine Red Cross, and local media, to educate senior citizens on prevention and first aid amid rising temperatures.
  • The UP Open University, through its 2024 annual blood donation drive that gathered 83 successful donors, demonstrated its continued commitment to community health and well-being.

UP Manila, ICRC Strengthen Health Response in Detention Facilities 

With Philippine detention facilities among the most congested in the world, health and sanitation concerns have become an urgent public issue. Overcrowding heightens the risk of disease transmission, underscoring the need for improved access to quality healthcare for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL). To address this, the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Philippines jointly conducted the 4th Health in Detention (HiD) Course from August 12 to 16, 2024, at the National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions Auditorium.

The five-day course gathered 29 representatives from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Corrections, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and UPM. The training aimed to raise awareness of detention health as a public health issue and equip stakeholders with strategies to enhance the well-being of PDLs.

Prof. Dindo P. Café, Chair of UPM’s Department of Behavioral Sciences, opened the course by outlining the challenges faced by PDLs—including overcrowding, poor ventilation, limited nutrition, and safety concerns—and emphasized the need for stronger academic and government collaboration to promote reform. UPM experts served as resource speakers: Asst. Prof. Ernesto R. Gregorio Jr. on health promotion in prisons, Prof. Calvin S. de los Reyes on maternal and child health in detention, and Prof. Nymia Pimentel-Simbulan on human rights and healthcare access.

The HiD Course contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by promoting humane treatment and equitable access to healthcare. It reflects UPM’s enduring commitment to compassion, human rights, and the recognition that health is a universal right—one that extends even to those behind bars.

References

Indicator 3.3.3 Shared sports facilities

The University of the Philippines promotes physical fitness, well-being, and community inclusion by sharing its sports facilities with nearby schools, organizations, and the general public. These shared spaces encourage active lifestyles and strengthen partnerships between UP and its surrounding communities.
  • The Cebu Elite Gymnastics Club opened its new, fully equipped gym at the University of the Philippines Cebu Graduate School on December 22, 2024, to help train and discover the next generation of Filipino gymnastics talents. Training began in July 2024 at the club’s permanent center within the UP Cebu Professional School at the South Road Property.
  • The Makiling Campus Runners of UP Los Baños organized the Makiling Challenge XV on November 13, 2023. First held in 2003, the annual race resumed after a pandemic hiatus, offering participants of all levels a scenic and challenging route through the Mount Makiling landscape, including the UPLB upper campus, Jamboree Road, and the Philippine High School for the Arts.

UPV Iloilo City Campus Court Set for Transformation into a Sports Facility

The University of the Philippines Visayas held a groundbreaking ceremony on September 9, 2024, for a ₱20.243-million multipurpose sports and recreation facility at its Iloilo City campus. Officially titled Construction of a Multipurpose Building in UP Visayas Iloilo City, the project is funded under the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) 2024 General Appropriations Act and implemented in coordination with the UPV Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (OVCPD).

The planned facility will feature a covered court and open spaces designed to host sports, fitness, and cultural activities. Beyond serving the UPV academic community, it will be open for use by nearby schools, civic groups, and the general public—enhancing accessibility to quality recreational infrastructure in the city.

This initiative contributes to UN SDG 3 by promoting physical activity and fostering community participation through inclusive access to sports and recreation. It also supports SDG 11 by optimizing campus spaces for shared public benefit. Through this development, UP Visayas strengthens its role as a catalyst for health, inclusivity, and sustainable urban engagement in Western Visayas.

References

Indicator 3.3.4 Sexual and reproductive health care services for students

The University of the Philippines (UP) continues to uphold its commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 and SDG 5 by promoting inclusive access to sexual and reproductive health care services, information, and education. Through systemwide initiatives, UP empowers its students and staff to make informed choices and fosters a campus culture grounded in respect, equality, and wellness.

  • The UP Asian Institute of Tourism (AIT) administration met with the AIT Student Council to plan gender and development initiatives, including the dissemination of the UP Diliman Gender Office’s (UPDGO) educational brochures and the distribution of pride flags during Pride Month. On November 10, 2023, the AIT Student Council, in partnership with UPDGO, provided the AIT community with free contraceptives and sanitary products such as condoms, lubricants, and napkins.
  • The UP Asian Center, in collaboration with UP-Centre International de Formation des Authorités et Leaders Philippines, conducted the forum Bridging the Gender Health Gap: Addressing Period Poverty in the Philippines on May 9, 2024, at the GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center Auditorium. The event explored solutions to alleviate period poverty, such as integrating menstrual health management (MHM) into education curricula and mainstreaming MHM through institutional policies and frameworks.
  • To ensure a safe and respectful learning environment, the UP Rural High School (UPRHS) Gender and Development Committee, in partnership with the UP Los Baños Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment, held a seminar on the UP Anti-Sexual Harassment Code for UPRHS students on October 2, 2023, at the UPRHS JSLS Gymnasium.

UP Visayas Holds Pride Month Forum on HIV Awareness and Inclusivity

The UP Visayas (UPV) Gender and Development Program, in collaboration with the UGSAD Regional Gender Resource Network, organized the Pride Month Forum: Empowering Local Communities for an Inclusive HIV Awareness and Health Service Delivery on June 28, 2024, at the UPV Little Theatre, Iloilo City campus.

The event convened representatives from national government agencies, local government units, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations across Western Visayas. Central discussions focused on the incidence, prevention, and treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections in the region. Sessions also highlighted best practices in community-based and peer-led HIV interventions and emphasized the vital role of academic institutions in advancing inclusive and gender-sensitive health education.

Attendees benefited from free health services provided by the Department of Health Western Visayas Mobile Health and Wellness Caravan, stationed on campus throughout the event.

This initiative directly advances SDG 3 by supporting accessible and stigma-free sexual health education and care, while reinforcing SDG 5 through advocacy for inclusive, rights-based health service delivery. It underscores UPV’S commitment to building safer, more informed, and empowered communities.

References

Indicator 3.3.5 Mental health support for students

The University of the Philippines fostered student well-being through mental health initiatives such as counseling services, skill-building workshops, and digital wellness programs—empowering learners to care for their emotional health, build resilience, and thrive in academic and personal life.

  • UP Cebu’s Guidance and Counseling Office provides professional support to help students navigate personal, vocational, spiritual, and educational concerns, administering programs and activities towards assisting students in adjusting to college life and preparing them to assume mature roles in society
  • The UP Manila (UPM) Department of Occupational Therapy conducted an online workshop, Study Cycles: Strategies to Maximize your Study Time, to help students enhance focus, retention, and productivity. This event was offered in celebration of the 61st founding anniversary of the UPM College of Allied Medical Professions.
  • The Kalinga at Yakap (KaYa) program of the UP Open University (UPOU) Ugnayan ng Pahinungód strengthened mental health awareness through its wellness platform featuring stress management videos and offering free webinars on topics such as therapeutic communication, mindful snacking, and languages of love. Collaboratively built by faculty, volunteers, and the UPOU Information and Communication Technology Development Office, KaYa promoted self-care and emotional resilience within the university community.
  • The UP Visayas (UPV) Office of Student Affairs-Guidance and Counseling Services Unit, in partnership with the UPV Peer Facilitators, conducted the psychosocial program This is the Breather that YOU Need: A Kumustahan Serye on March 20–21, 2024, across eight dormitories in the Iloilo City and Miagao campuses, promoting student well-being, inclusivity, and stress management through interactive group sessions and mental health talks.

Art-Based Intervention Program: Paws and Paint

The UP Los Baños (UPLB) Office of Counseling and Guidance conducted the second session of the Art-Based Intervention Program: Paws and Paint on March 21, 2024, in collaboration with UPLB BARKada and the CATropa Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI) Program. Combining the therapeutic benefits of art and human-animal interaction, the initiative promoted student mental health and well-being through creative and multisensory engagement.

The alfresco venue was transformed into a welcoming space where participants expressed themselves through art while interacting with therapy dogs Marley and Skippy. These “assistant artists” created a calming atmosphere that encouraged emotional expression, stress relief, and reconnection with joy amid academic pressures. Alongside the art sessions, the AAI corner offered PAWS for a Break moments, allowing participants to pause, pet, and play with the therapy dogs for emotional release and comfort.

Aligned with the university’s holistic approach to student welfare, the Paws and Paint program served as an innovative psychosocial support mechanism that fostered relaxation, creativity, and community. Through such initiatives, UPLB continues to highlight that mental wellness is essential to learning and that healing can come through empathy, connection, and a little splash of color.

References

Indicator 3.3.6 Smoke-free policy

UP Extension Program in Pampanga Promotes UP’s Smoke-Free Policy

To strengthen awareness of the university’s smoke-free policy and its alignment with Republic Act No. 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, the University of the Philippines Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga installed anti-smoking posters in prominent areas on campus. This initiative seeks to inform students, staff, and visitors of the harmful effects of tobacco use while promoting a clean and health-conscious environment.

The university’s smoke-free policy supports the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 17, Series of 2009, which mandates a “100% Smoke-Free Environment Policy” in all government premises. By adhering to these regulations, UP advances the goals of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 3, ensuring that its campuses remain safe, inclusive, and conducive to holistic wellness.

References
  • Office of International Linkages. (2025, October 13). [2026 Impact ratings collated evidence submission]. University of the Philippines, Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Office of International Linkages.

Indicator 3.3.7 Mental health support for staff

The University of the Philippines (UP) prioritized staff well-being through initiatives that fostered rest, reflection, and connection—creating a supportive environment for open conversations on mental health and promoting holistic wellness in the workplace.

  • The UP College of Nursing faculty, staff, alumni, and friends embraced the warmth of the summer evening during a wellness activity held on April 29, 2024 at various locations in Fort Santiago. The event offered participants a moment of relaxation and camaraderie amid their academic and professional responsibilities.
  • The UP Asian Center organized the seminar, AKO NAMAN MUNA: Understanding of Mental Health Towards Wellness, on June 5, 2024, to cultivate self-care and emotional resilience among staff. Led by guidance advocate Nelson de Castro Magnaye, the session featured reflective discussions on mental health, well-being, and personal growth in the post-pandemic setting.

UP Los Baños Health Service, Counseling and Guidance “RACE Against Suicide”

The University Health Service (UHS) and the Office of Counseling and Guidance (OCG) of UP Los Baños (UPLB), in partnership with the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association (PGCA) Laguna Chapter, conducted the RACE Against Suicide seminar-training on March 13, 2024, at the Obdulia F. Sison Hall.

The program convened medical professionals, guidance specialists, faculty members, security officers, and administrative personnel to strengthen their capacity as mental health gatekeepers. Participants learned the RACE framework—Recognize, Ask, Communicate, Engage—as a practical guide for identifying signs of distress, assessing risk levels, and providing timely support and referral.

Facilitated by experts from the PGCA–Laguna Chapter, with support from the Unilab Foundation, the training also featured a case simulation led by OCG Director Jiselle C. Villamin, enabling participants to apply their new knowledge in realistic scenarios.

UPLB Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Roberto P. Cereno concluded the event by reaffirming the university’s commitment to mental health advocacy and community care. The seminar formed part of the UPLB Safety, Health, and Intra-Community Engagements for Lifesaving Defense program, which promotes proactive mental health awareness and suicide prevention within the university community.

References
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