As we move deeper into the digital age, the way we promote health—and how our students engage with it—must evolve too. That’s exactly what the recent Orientation on Digital Health Literacy and Health Promotion aimed to address. Held last July 23–25, 2025 at the East Asia Royale Hotel in General Santos City, the event was a collaborative effort between the Department of Health - Center for Health Development SOCCSKSARGEN (DOH-CHD XII) and the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office XII (CHED RO XII).

Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. was proud to be part of this timely initiative, represented by our very own Mr. Aljan Dapitan, NSTP Coordinator. The three-day orientation gathered NSTP-CWTS coordinators across Region XII for a meaningful exchange of strategies on how to embed health promotion and digital health literacy in the lives of students—not just as a requirement, but as a skill for life.

The sessions tackled crucial topics like using digital platforms for health education, countering misinformation online, mental health awareness, and integrating DOH’s health promotion framework into civic welfare training. It became clear that health literacy is no longer just about physical well-being—it’s about equipping our youth to navigate health information in a rapidly changing, digital-first world.

CHED RO XII strongly emphasized that this is not just a one-off event—it’s a call for academic institutions to integrate health promotion as a lifelong learning goal within NSTP programs and community extension efforts. It also aligns perfectly with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

At Holy Child, we believe that creating healthier communities starts with empowering students—not just to be recipients of information, but advocates of wellness, both online and offline. By strengthening our NSTP initiatives through partnerships like this, we ensure that our commitment to education includes preparing future leaders who value health, community, and sustainability.