In a proactive move to strengthen community resilience, the Benguet State University (BSU) College of Nursing conducted an  Extension Activity at Kapangan National High School in Sagubo last January 26, 2026.

The outreach focused on training Junior and Senior High School students in Basic Life Support (BLS) and First Aid interventions. Recognizing that students are often the first on the scene during local emergencies, the program aimed to bridge the gap between panic and prepared action.

After lectures and  series of demonstrations by the BSU nursing team, students were given hands-on time to master the techniques. The training concluded with individual return demonstrations, ensuring that every participant could confidently perform the skills necessary to save lives during disasters.

This  activity is a key component of the college’s broader extension program: “Managing Adolescent Health and Well-being in Schools (MAAWIS) & Teachers’ Training through Acquisition of Knowledge and Development (TAKO) to Self-care and Empowerment. Specifically, the event falls under the Nurse-Led Disaster Nursing Project in Benguet Schools, which aims  to: Empower  students  with disaster preparedness skills, promote holistic health and well-being within the school environment and to strengthen the partnership between the university and the local community.

Looking ahead, the BSU College of Nursing team intends to sustain this drive, with plans to visit more schools across the province. By bringing clinical expertise directly to the classroom, the MAAWIS TAKO project continues to prove that empowerment starts with education and that health-conscious, disaster-ready schools are the backbone of a resilient Benguet.

The faculty and staff of Kapangan National High School expressed their deep appreciation to the BSU team for their dedication to the students’ welfare.  As mentioned by one faculty “ We are immensely grateful to the BSU nursing team. This training ensures our students are not only healthier in their daily lives but are also equipped with the life-saving skills needed to protect our community during emergencies,”

The school  family  looks forward to seeing the long-term impact of this collaboration, envisioning their students as both physically well and ready to serve  in times of disaster.//Jonalyn S. Esco