By Gian Paula Cecilia, BA ELS 4, The Centralian Link Intern
The College of Pharmacy Student Council brings reproductive health education to Grade 12 students in Pototan, Iloilo through its PharmaEd outreach on March 24, 2026.
An educational outreach program titled PharmaEd: Sexual and Reproductive Health Education was held on March 24, 2026, at Alberto Sorongon Sr. Memorial National High School in Barangay Iwa-Macatol, Pototan, Iloilo. The initiative was organized by the College of Pharmacy Student Council, together with their faculty advisers, and spearheaded by Board Member Jarra Mikaela Maldecer of the Ministry of Outreach and External Affairs.
The program served 54 Grade 12 students and opened with an interactive activity that invited participants to anonymously submit questions related to the topic. Having a safe space to voice their concerns meant students could speak openly, and their questions were addressed throughout the discussions.
A medication awareness talk followed, led by Governor Princess Samantha Joy Suarez and Board Member Angel Grace Galecia, under the guidance of licensed pharmacist advisers. The session advocated the importance of consuming medications and their relevance to everyday health practices.
The centerpiece of the outreach was a reproductive health education segment delivered by Mr. Karl Kevin L. Tima-an, RSW. He covered key topics including teenage pregnancy prevention, foundational information on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and an overview of commonly used contraceptives.
With STI cases rising in Pototan, the organizers hope that reaching students early can make a real difference in the health of the community.