BS Psychology students and faculty members from the Department of Psychology, Anthropology, and Sociology (DPAS) participated in the 14th Regional Health Research Conference (RHRC), organized by the Cordillera Regional Health Research and Development Consortium (CRHRDC) from June 18–19, 2026, at Benguet State University.
Centering on the theme “Binnadang for Health: Bridging Communities through Research, Collaboration, Innovation, and Care,” this year’s conference was hosted by Benguet State University. The RHRC is an annual activity aiming to strengthen and sustain a regional health research system that addresses localized and unique health challenges in the Cordillera region. Further, it promotes evidence-based health policies and interventions that are culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of Indigenous and marginalized communities.
The participation of the BS Psychology students accentuates the vital intersection of mental health and regional health development. In previous years, regional health conventions focused more on clinical and biomedical data. This year, the participation of BS Psychology students and faculty marks a shift toward holistic health, where mental and behavioral well-being is addressed with the same urgency as physical ailments. This involvement upholds the department’s and the college’s advocacy of mental well-being, marking an important milestone for DPAS as it celebrates its first batch of BS Psychology graduates.
The conference also featured podium and poster presentations of regional research. The poster presentation category was participated in by BS Psychology students Josephine Faith P. Aquisio, Rainely A. Gonzales, Larriza M. Inggo, and Jeen Lerck L. Ledsey, under the advisership of Flordeliza David. Their study is entitled “Comparative Analysis of Mental Help-Seeking Tendencies and Perceived Barriers Among Generation Z and Millennial Adult Cohorts.”
Additionally, Ruth S. Batani, a faculty member of the DPAS, served as a panelist during the plenary session entitled “Health Equity: Culture and Social Responsibility.”
Maribelle T. Apnoyan// CSS Information Officer
