In line with the celebration of One Health Day and Environmental Health Day this November, the Biology Program and Environmental Science Program of the College of Arts and Sciences, in cooperation with the Human Resource Development Office, spearheaded the Seminar-Workshop entitled One Health: Connecting Humans, Animals, and Environment with the Theme: “When We Protect One, We Help Protect All” was held on November 17-18, 2022 at CND Hall and CAS Lecture Hall, CBSUA – Pili Campus.
This activity aims to increase awareness, update and strengthen the knowledge of CBSUA faculty researchers about One Health and the complex challenges it addresses at the interface of animals, plants, humans, and the environment. Through this, CBSUA-CAS faculty and students initiate to be advocates for change to address health threats. Parasitic diseases remain endemic in developing countries such as the Philippines. The complexity of zoonotic transmission, specifically parasitic diseases, encourages a holistic, collaborative, and interdisciplinary approach to addressing its overall impact. Moreover, indiscriminate waste disposal is an environmental hazard and can threaten human health and safety. It can create a breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms and vectors of disease and can cause contamination of surrounding soil, groundwater, and surface waters.
However, solid waste management will help the community prevent communicable diseases and sustainably safeguard the environment. For the Day 1 session, Dr. Leah V. Carballo, the Chairperson of the Biology program, gave an Overview of One Health Concept and Zoonotic Diseases, followed by Prof. Shela V. Ruiz, the faculty and proponent of the activity shared about One Health and Parasitology addressing parasitism as public health, animal health, and environmental health problems; an invited resource speaker from DepEd Cam. Sur, Ms. Christelle Kay G. Asis, RN discussed the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in School (WINS) Program in Camarines Sur. In the afternoon session, Prof. Rhea Catalina P. Padayao introduced Environmental Parasitology and its Laboratory Techniques for Parasite Surveillance. It was followed by hands-on activities actively participated by Bio and ES faculty members.
For Day 2, morning session, Engr. Maria Katherine B. Torallo from the Environmental Management Bureau discussed the Sanitation Code of the Philippines (School Sanitation and Health Services PD 856). Ms. Kristina Marie G. Sabareza of EMB-Cam presented the Impact of Solid Waste on Health and Environment RA 9003. Sur. In the afternoon, the Eco-Brick Technology workshop was performed and actively participated by the part-time faculty and ES. | via Prof. Shela V. Ruiz
