Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: CSU on Good Health and Well-Being

Overview

Caraga State University (CSU) advances SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being through integrated programs that strengthen public-health education, mental-wellness initiatives, environmental safety, and community resilience. Anchored on its Vision 2028 of becoming a globally recognized, socially engaged, and innovation-driven university, CSU embeds health promotion across instruction, research, extension, and governance systems.

Between 2022 and 2024, CSU produced 38 Scopus-indexed health-related publications with a citation impact of 0.84 and a global citation rank of 174, reflecting its growing contribution to applied and evidence-based innovation. Research covered pandemic modeling, biomedical studies, and environmental-health risk assessments, supporting regional policies on water quality, sanitation, and disaster preparedness.

In 2024, CSU graduated 1,435 students, with 18.82 percent from health-related disciplines such as Psychology, Social Work, Biology, and Guidance and Counseling—contributing directly to the regional and national health-workforce pipeline. The university strengthened collaborations with the George Washington University School of Medicine, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), and the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association – Caraga Chapter, advancing biomedical research, mental-health advocacy, and medical-education development.

Through the University Center for Health and Wellness (UCHW), CSU implemented outreach and awareness programs on food safety, sanitation, disease prevention, and HIV education, reaching over 3,000 participants from both campus and community sectors. The university also institutionalized mental-health initiatives such as Kapetorya (peer-support sessions) and RACE Against Suicide gatekeeper training with the UNILAB Foundation, alongside maintaining a 100 percent Smoke-Free Campus, shared sports facilities, and sustainable-mobility programs promoting active lifestyles and clean air.

Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate CSU’s holistic commitment to health and well-being, linking education, research, policy, and community engagement to produce competent health advocates and inclusive, health-conscious environments—contributing meaningfully to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Research and Innovation Output on Health and Well-Being (2022–2024)

Caraga State University (CSU) demonstrates a strong and expanding research portfolio that contributes directly to the advancement of health, safety, and environmental well-being—core pillars of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being). Faculty researchers from the Colleges of Engineering and Geosciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences have collectively produced high-impact, peer-reviewed outputs addressing infectious disease modeling, biomedical innovation, public health, environmental toxicity, and community wellness.

Between 2022 and 2024, CSU produced 38 Scopus-indexed publications related to health and well-being, achieving a Field-Weighted Citation Impact of 0.84 and a citation count of 174, reflecting the university’s growing international visibility and evidence-based contributions to health research and innovation.

Research Productivity and Focus

CSU’s health-related research outputs cover a diverse range of topics that integrate scientific innovation with social relevance:

Public Health and Pandemic Modeling:
Optimal Vaccination Control for COVID-19 in a Metapopulation Model: A Case of the Philippines, Hybrid Modeling of COVID-19 Spatial Propagation over an Island Country, and Policy-Driven Mathematical Modeling for COVID-19 Response in the Philippines — all of which provide decision-support frameworks for national and regional health authorities.
Biomedical and Clinical Research:
Studies such as BODIPY Nanoparticles Functionalized for Cancer-Targeted Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy and Cationic BODIPY Photosensitizers for Mitochondrion-Targeted Fluorescence Cell-Imaging demonstrate CSU’s innovation in biomedical materials and nanotechnology applications for diagnostics and treatment.
Environmental Health Studies:
Research like Assessment of Contamination and Potential Ecological Risks of Heavy Metals in Lake Mainit and Bioaccumulation and Potential Human Health Risks of Heavy Metals in Tank Goby reflect CSU’s expertise in linking environmental monitoring with human health risk evaluation.
Community Health and Nutrition:
Applied research such as Mixed-Method Study on Malnutrition Among Children in Caraga Region and Health Risk Management Practices in Flood-Prone Public Elementary Schools address local health challenges and promote community resilience.
Safety and Wellness Innovations:
Technological innovations include IoT-Enabled Aquaculture Surveillance Systems, Real-Time Motorcycle Accident Detection Systems, and Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Road Accidents Using GIS, underscoring CSU’s socio-technical contributions to safety and well-being.

These publications appear in reputable, open-access journals such as IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, PhilGEOS Proceedings, Science of the Total Environment, PLOS ONE, Scientific Reports, and Pharmaceutics, highlighting CSU’s commitment to interdisciplinary, publicly accessible science.
Public Evidence: CSU Research Repository

Global Collaboration and Research Visibility

CSU’s research on health and well-being is strengthened by its collaborations with George Washington University, De La Salle University, and international partners in Japan, Korea, and Europe. These partnerships have produced high-impact, co-authored works that enhance CSU’s participation in global scientific discourse.

CSU’s open-access publication strategy and active dissemination through Scopus, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate have significantly increased the visibility and readership of its outputs. Studies on pandemic modeling, heavy-metal toxicity, and biomedical imaging attract high readership and citation rates, affirming CSU’s relevance to both academic and policy audiences.

Translational and Policy Impact

Several CSU-authored research outputs have been integrated into regional and national policy frameworks, emphasizing the university’s applied and translational orientation.

Environmental health research informs DENR-Caraga and DOH-Caraga guidelines on water quality and heavy-metal contamination.
Public health studies on risk management in schools have been utilized in local government disaster-preparedness programs.
Mathematical modeling works have contributed to pandemic preparedness strategies and policy simulations at both local and national levels.

CSU’s emerging collaborations with Butuan Medical Center, DOH-Caraga, and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila School of Medicine further strengthen its role in advancing clinical research and evidence-informed policy.

These outcomes affirm CSU’s capacity to translate research into measurable societal benefits—bridging science, health, and governance for sustainable community well-being.

Proportion of Graduates in Health Professions

Caraga State University (CSU) continues to strengthen its contribution to the regional and national health workforce by producing graduates equipped with competencies that promote public health, environmental well-being, and sustainable community development.

In 2024, CSU produced a total of 1,435 graduates, of which 1,353 completed their programs during Academic Year 2023–2024, 59 during the Midyear Term, and 23 during the First Semester of Academic Year 2024–2025. Among these, 270 graduates (18.82 %) came from health-related programs such as Psychology, Social Work, Biology, and Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling—disciplines that collectively contribute to mental wellness, health promotion, environmental management, and life sciences.

Year	Total Graduates	Health-Related Graduates	Proportion (%)	Trend
2023	1670	94	5.63	↑ Increasing
2024	1435	280	19.51	↑ Increasing

This steady increase reflects CSU’s expanding academic offerings and continuing commitment to nurturing future health advocates and professionals across Caraga and beyond.

Public Evidence: Available publicly via CSU’s official website

Collaborations and Health Services

Caraga State University (CSU) fosters strong, multi-level collaborations with health institutions that enhance community well-being, strengthen academic capacity, and advance research on public and mental health. These partnerships span regional, national, and international engagements—linking CSU with government health agencies, professional associations, hospitals, and higher-education institutions.

During 2024, CSU expanded its network through joint programs and cooperative activities that promote mental-health advocacy, medical education, and biomedical research. Highlights include collaboration with the Association of Guidance Counselors in Caraga (PGCA–Caraga Chapter) for the 15th Regional Convention on mental-health empowerment; a research lecture with the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences on HIV-vaccine development; an MOU with the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) to establish CSU’s proposed School of Medicine; and a Mental Health Forum with Dr. Ann Princess Nespral of the Agusan del Norte Medical Association for World Mental Health Month.

Together, these collaborations reflect CSU’s institutional commitment to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)—building a health-responsive university that contributes to accessible healthcare, resilient communities, and informed public health leadership in the Caraga Region and beyond.

Collaborations with Health Institutions

CSU maintains active linkages with national, regional, and international health institutions to advance mental health, public health, and biomedical research.

Notable 2024 partnerships include:

Association of Guidance Counselors in Caraga (PGCA – Caraga Chapter) – Co-organized the 15th Regional Convention on “Empowering the Mental Health Advocates and Professionals” (Feb 8–9 2024, Almont Inland Resort, Butuan City).
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences – Hosted Dr. Brandon C. Rosen for a lecture on HIV Vaccine Development and Pandemic Preparedness.
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) – Signed an MOU on Nov 5 2024 to develop the proposed School of Medicine—the first public medical school in Caraga.
Agusan del Norte Medical Association / Dr. Ann Princess Nespral – Led the Mental Health Forum 2024: “Kapakanan: Kalusugang Pangkaisipan Para sa Kabataan.”

These collaborations—publicly documented through CSU’s website and social-media channels—underscore the university’s dedication to accessible health care, community well-being, and resilient public-health leadership.

Public Evidence: Available publicly via CSU’s official website and verified social-media pages:

Health Outreach Programmes

Caraga State University (CSU) demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-Being through comprehensive outreach programs that advance community health, sanitation, nutrition, and mental wellness across Butuan City and the Caraga Region. These activities mobilize faculty, students, and partner organizations to extend preventive education and wellness support to local and disadvantaged communities.

Throughout 2024, CSU conducted a wide range of public health initiatives:

Public Consultation on Food Safety and Sanitation (Sept 20 2024) – Led by University Nurse Florence Jones Noelle R. Acosta, this consultation aligned community health practices with P.D. 856, R.A. 10611, and Butuan City Ordinance 7095-2024, ensuring that local policies on food handling and sanitation met national safety standards.
Health Awareness and Public Safety Symposium (Sept 25 2024) – Addressed R.A. 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act), R.A. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act), and awareness of Dengue and Monkeypox, reinforcing CSU’s preventive-health education.
BIO Department Talk Series – Promoted knowledge sharing on HIV and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) research and biosafety practices.
Symposium on R.A. 11166 and HIV Awareness: Breaking the Stigma – Held with DOH Caraga and Amoma Caraga, this forum advanced inclusive health literacy and destigmatization efforts.
LIKHA Summit 2024 Plenary – Featuring Dr. Nilo T. Bugtai on biomedical-engineering innovations, bridging research and public health impact.
Student Outreach Activities such as HAAD KON CHASS 2024 and Kids’ Day Out 2024 offered psychosocial care, play therapy, and educational support for children and marginalized communities.

Expanding its health outreach into holistic well-being, CSUCC also organized the Financial Wellness Webinar: “Students’ Guide in Navigating Their Finances” (Oct 22 2024) under its Mental Health Awareness Series, spearheaded by the Office of Counseling and Career Services (OCCS). Conducted via Zoom and Facebook Live, the session guided upper-year students on responsible budgeting and financial decision-making, emphasizing the relationship between financial literacy and mental health. This initiative addressed a key psychological stressor—financial insecurity—by providing practical strategies for self-management and resilience.

Together, these programs reflect CSU’s whole-of-university approach to health promotion—combining environmental safety, disease prevention, and psychosocial well-being. They embody SDG 3 targets 3.3, 3.4, and 3.9 by reducing communicable-disease risks, enhancing mental health, and strengthening community health literacy.

Public Evidence: Available publicly via CSU’s verified social-media pages:

Shared Sports Facilities

Caraga State University (CSU) continues to champion health promotion, physical fitness, and active living by maintaining its sports and recreational facilities as shared spaces for both campus and community use. Through this initiative, the University fosters social inclusion, community partnership, and holistic well-being—key dimensions of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Throughout 2024, CSU sustained a range of open-campus sports and wellness programs coordinated by the Division of Resource Generation and Entrepreneurial Services (DRGES) and the University Center for Health and Wellness (UCHW). Students, faculty, and local organizations regularly utilized the gymnasium, open field, and athletic facilities for training, tournaments, and recreational activities that promote teamwork, discipline, and healthy lifestyles. These programs extend beyond the University community, providing access to the broader public of Butuan City and the Caraga Region, and demonstrating CSU’s commitment to maintaining inclusive, safe, and health-promoting environments.

In recent years, CSU has received increasing numbers of external requests from government agencies, schools, sports associations, and civic organizations seeking to use its oval, gymnasium, and other sports facilities for inter-agency tournaments, health caravans, youth camps, and wellness training. This growing demand underscores CSU’s reputation as a regional hub for community-based health and fitness events. The University’s responsiveness to these requests not only reinforces its public-service orientation but also exemplifies how academic institutions can play a central role in fostering community well-being and active lifestyles. Each activity hosted within CSU’s premises—whether a basketball league, fitness challenge, or medical awareness drive—serves as a platform for collaboration and social engagement in support of SDG 3.

To further strengthen public engagement, CSU implements a Facility Rental Program that opens its state-of-the-art gymnasium, conference rooms, audio-visual halls, open grounds, and sports courts for public use. Managed by the DRGES, these facilities are made available to partner organizations, government agencies, schools, and civic groups for sports events, health forums, training sessions, and wellness programs. This initiative maximizes the use of institutional resources while promoting community participation, partnership development, and sustainable resource generation—creating safe and accessible venues that foster physical, social, and mental well-being.

These institutional programs are anchored in two major governance documents:

The CSU Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan (LUDIP 2022–2042), which envisions the construction of a State-of-the-Art University Sports Complex designed to be “open to both public and private sectors in terms of sports events and performers during their Health and Wellness programs” and equipped with a P.E. Office and Physical Fitness Gym (Chapter 4, pp. 171–172). It also highlights the role of University Avenue and open-space networks in promoting active mobility and accessibility through integrated bike lanes and walkways (Chapter 4, pp. 198–199).
The CSU Income Generating Projects (IGP) Manual with Rates, which lists 24 rentable university facilities, including the Gymnasium, Oval Playground, Basketball and Volleyball Courts, Classrooms, Audio-Visual Rooms, Conference Rooms, and Swimming Pool, all open for rent to both internal and external clients (pp. 33–34).

Together, these policy-driven and operational initiatives affirm CSU’s long-term commitment to inclusive, accessible, and shared sports and wellness infrastructure, advancing SDG 3.3.3 – Shared Sports and Recreational Facilities. By ensuring equitable community access to safe, well-maintained, and environmentally responsible spaces, CSU strengthens its role as a regional leader in health promotion, active living, and community partnership.

Public Evidence:

CSU Income Generating Projects (IGP) Manual with Rates, pp. 33–34 — Facility Rental Guidelines and Environmental Compliance Provisions.
CSU Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan (LUDIP 2022–2042), Chapter 4 (pp. 171–172; 198–199) and Chapter 5 (pp. 248–252) — Sports Complex Vision and IGP Revenue Data.
CSU Official Facebook Page and DRGES Publications — Publicly available posts and announcements on facility rental, sports events, and wellness partnerships.
CSU CC External Request

Sexual and Reproductive Health-Care Services for Students

In 2024, the University Center for Health and Wellness (UCHW) and JSWAP-CSU, in partnership with DOH Caraga, Butuan Medical Center, and Amoma Caraga, conducted mobile HIV testing and the forum “Understanding HIV: Breaking the Stigma.”
These programs offered free, confidential screening, counseling, and information on R.A. 11166 to enhance awareness and reduce stigma.

Public Evidence: Available publicly via CSU and partner social-media pages:

Mental Health Support for Students

Caraga State University (CSU) places a strong emphasis on promoting student mental health and emotional resilience through accessible counseling services, awareness programs, and peer-support initiatives across its campuses. In 2024, the Department of Psychology and the Office of Counseling and Career Services (OCCS) launched “Kapetorya”, a peer-support and mental-wellness program held at the Library Café. The initiative—whose name combines kape (coffee) and istorya (conversation)—encourages open dialogue, help-seeking behaviors, and supportive discussions on mental health in a relaxed, stigma-free environment.

Complementing this, CSU organized the Mental Health Forum 2024 on October 16, 2024, featuring psychiatrist Dr. Ann Princess Grana-Nespral and guidance professional Ms. Caryl Mier, who shared insights on mental-health literacy, referral systems, and proactive care. These activities were widely publicized through the CSU OCCS, CSU Psychological Society, Department of Psychology, and Philippine Information Agency Caraga social-media pages—underscoring the University’s commitment to transparency and public engagement.

At the Cabadbaran Campus (CSUCC), similar efforts strengthened the mental-health advocacy through a series of campus-wide activities, including the “Mugstorya” peer-conversation sessions, the CSUCC Mental Health Seminar and Workshop themed “A Holistic Mind, Body, and Soul Approach to Mental Health,” and recreational initiatives such as the Movie Marathon for Wellness and Financial Wellness Talks. These programs collectively promote a balanced, student-centered approach to well-being—addressing psychological, social, and economic stressors that affect student life.

Through these sustained initiatives, CSU demonstrates a comprehensive institutional framework that integrates mental-health education, early intervention, and peer-driven support, ensuring that students across all campuses have access to safe spaces, professional counseling, and a culture of empathy and self-care.

Public Evidence: Available publicly via CSU’s departmental social-media pages:

Smoke-Free Policy

Caraga State University upholds a 100% Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Campus Policy, institutionalized through Memorandum Order No. 100, s. 2019 and continuously implemented before and during 2024 in alignment with national health regulations.

Institutional Basis:

Memorandum Order No. 100 s. 2019 – Attendance to the “No Smoking” Policy Campaign mandating compliance with CSC-DOH Joint Memorandum Circular 2010-01 and Executive Order 26 (2017).
CSU Student Handbook (2023 Revised Edition) –
Section 6.3(d): Prohibits smoking and vaping as acts detrimental to the university community.
Section 7.8: Requires all students to adhere to the CSU No Smoking Policy.

Before the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair 2024, CSU issued a public Facebook advisory reminding visitors of its strict no-smoking and no-vaping policy.

Public Evidence: Available publicly via CSU’s website, student handbook, and verified social-media pages:

Mental Health Support for Staff

Caraga State University (CSU) upholds the mental and emotional well-being of its faculty, staff, and health personnel through institutional policies, capacity-building programs, and continuing wellness advocacy. Recognizing that university workplaces are high-pressure environments that demand emotional resilience and psychological safety, CSU has established both policy-driven and programmatic mechanisms to sustain staff wellness.

In 2024, the Guidance and Counseling Office (GCO), in partnership with the UNILAB Foundation, launched the RACE Against Suicide: A Gatekeeper’s Training, a specialized initiative that equipped faculty and administrators to act as first responders in mental-health crises. Modules were peer-reviewed by the Bayanihan for Wellbeing Network and national psychological associations, ensuring evidence-based practice.
Resource persons included Dr. Maria Olivia D. Bating (CSU School of Medicine), Dr. Shiela Marie G. Hocson (Far Eastern University), and Dr. Kenneth Rose Javate (Philippine Psychiatric Association). Each college identified trained first responders to coordinate directly with the GCO, creating an internal referral and peer-support network. Complementary activities, such as the Mental Health Forum 2024, reinforced shared accountability for wellness among academic and administrative staff alike.

At the policy level, CSU institutionalized the University Health Workers Policy, crafted in accordance with Republic Act 7305 (Magna Carta of Public Health Workers). The policy promotes the social, economic, and psychological well-being of university health personnel by ensuring fair compensation, safe work environments, hazard and subsistence pay, and professional-development incentives. These safeguards reduce workplace stressors, promote morale, and affirm the University’s commitment to holistic employee welfare.

Together, these measures—structural protection under RA 7305 and capacity-building through the RACE Against Suicide initiative—illustrate CSU’s comprehensive approach to mental-health support for staff. The University not only provides crisis-response training but also sustains long-term wellness systems that nurture a compassionate, resilient, and health-responsive workforce.

Public Evidence: Available publicly via CSU’s official website and verified social-media pages:

Sustainability Outlook

Caraga State University (CSU) envisions a healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable future where education, research, and governance converge to promote holistic well-being. The university’s progress under SDG 3 reflects not only compliance but also innovation—embedding health and safety in every aspect of academic and community life.

Looking ahead, CSU will expand its health-focused programs and partnerships to strengthen the regional health workforce and advance public-health education. The planned School of Medicine, in collaboration with the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, will serve as a cornerstone for accessible medical education and rural health capacity-building in Caraga.

CSU also aims to institutionalize comprehensive mental-health systems, building upon initiatives such as Kapetorya and RACE Against Suicide: Gatekeepers’ Training. These programs will continue to evolve into a campus-wide mental-health referral and peer-support network. Simultaneously, the University Center for Health and Wellness (UCHW) will enhance preventive-care programs, including food safety, sexual health, and substance-abuse awareness.

The university’s Smoke-Free Campus Policy, sustainable mobility efforts, and community sports engagements will remain integral to fostering clean, active, and inclusive environments. Continuous collaboration with local government units, the Department of Health, and regional health organizations will further sustain evidence-based interventions for community well-being.

Through these ongoing initiatives, CSU reaffirms its role as a health-responsive, innovation-driven university, contributing significantly to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Its commitment to SDG 3 embodies a living culture of compassion, science, and sustainability—empowering both the university and the Caraga Region to thrive in health, dignity, and resilience.

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