CPH Students to Gain Hands-On Experience by Serving at DOH-MMCHD Facilities During Internship

March 31, 2026

Text by Jennifer Manongdo
Photos by Louie Andrei Magtibay

(from left): College of Public Health Dean Fernando Garcia holds the copy of the signed Memorandum of Agreement alongside Department of Health Metro Manila Center for Health Development Director IV Lester Tan, and Chancellor Michael Tee.

College of Public Health (CPH) students from the University of the Philippines Manila will be deployed at the Department of Health-Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) facilities for their internship allowing them to gain practical experience in real-world public health programs and services.

The assignment covers the academic schedule 2026-2028 as stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement signed by UP Manila and the Department of Health Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) on March 26, 2026.

UP Manila and College of Public Health officials, together with representatives from the Department of Health–Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD), agreed that the MOA will strengthen public health by giving students practical opportunities to tackle real-world health challenges. (from left, first row): Dean Fernando Garcia,DOH-MMCHD Director IV Lester Tan, and Chancellor Michael Tee. (from left, second row): University Researcher Charmaine Canizares, CPH Professor, Dr. Azita Racquel Lacuna; CPH Chair, Dr. Ernesto Gregorio, Jr.; DOH-MMCHD OIC Director III, Dr. Janice Kathleen Malesido; DOH-MMCHD Chief Administrative Officer Rodel Alegre; DOH-Human Resources Development Unit (HRDU) representative Ruth Beatriz Gerero; and CPH Linkages Coordinator, Dr. Geraldine Dayrit.

The internship will run for 240 hours and will allow students to practice duties related to public health including performing situational analysis in different health settings, designing an evidence-based action plan to address a specific health issue, and implementing the evidence-based action plan with minimal supervision to ensure adherence to learned principles and tools in health management, among others.

“Sa pamamagitan nito ay mas matututo sila at malalaman nila na ang usapin ng public health ay hindi lamang natututunan sa isang classroom kundi lalo na kapag nandun sila sa mga health centers; sa mga komunidad na kanilang pagsisilbihan,” CPH Dean Fernando Garcia, Jr. said.

During the MOA signing, UP Manila officials noted the increasing number of CPH graduates who are now serving in important roles in public health settings, including the DOH.

The MOA was signed by Chancellor Michael Tee, DOH-MMCHD Director IV Lester Tan, DOH-MMCHD Chief Administrative Officer Rodel Alegre, and Dean Garcia.