The Center for Health Research and Innovation in Medicine and BioEngineering (CHIME) of Caraga State University (CSU) successfully convened the Technical Working Group (TWG) for an intensive implementation and operational alignment workshop from June 15–16, 2026, at the VCDU Prince Hotel in Butuan City.
The workshop targeted the operational strategies for the program titled “One Health, One Nation – The Caraga Subnational Initiative.”
The active cross-sectoral TWG comprises university educators and public leaders, including CSU faculty members from various colleges, as well as a representative from the Guidance and Counseling Unit. The TWG members from government partner agencies came from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga, Department of Health (DOH) Caraga, Department of Agriculture (DA) XIII, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XIII, and DOST – Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Butuan.
Dr. Geminn Louis “Gelo” C. Apostol served as the primary resource person for the two-day event. A renowned physician, educator, and researcher specializing in Environmental Public Health and Climate-Resilient Health Systems, Dr. Apostol is a member of the program’s Technical Advisory Group (TAG). He currently leads the Environmental Health and Global Health Security Flagship Program at the Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI) and the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH).
Throughout the workshop, Dr. Apostol guided the TWG through sessions focused on identifying regional challenges that require a unified “One Health” approach, managing localized priority exercises, and applying the One Health working framework in practice.
Key administrative leaders driving the initiative were present to anchor the sessions. TWG Co-Chair Dr. Temmy P. Vales and CHIME Center Chief Dr. Jesson V. Butcon both attended and delivered presentations on vital data during the workshop.
Additionally, Engr. Stephanie Mae Salcedo-Albores, Division Chief for Strategic Foresight and Management, presented the strategic alignment of the Caraga One Health Initiative on behalf of the TWG Overall Chair and Vice President for Executive Operations, Dr. Michelle V. Japitana.
Photo via SOM/CHIME
