UP Manila, BPSU Seal MOU to Boost Public Health Initiatives

March 17, 2026

Text by Jennifer Manongdo
Photo by Sarah Hazel Moces Pulumbarit

The University of the Philippines Manila and Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) entered into a strategic partnership on March 13, 2026, aiming for academic and research collaboration for the advancement of public health.

The partnership opens the door for shared expertise, resources, faculty and student development, joint research, consultancy services, information exchange, and other academic activities.

In particular, the Memorandum of Understanding paves the way for the establishment of a consortium program that will support students of BPSU enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Public Health major in Population Health in completing the required clinical laboratory coursework. This will eventually enable them to qualify for and take the licensure examination for medical technologists.

Dr. Emmanuel Macaraeg, BPSU consultant for Public Health and Community Development, explained that BPSU focuses on public health with a population health orientation. Thus, they are looking forward to welcoming UPM faculty members to Bataan to conduct clinical laboratory coursework.

Beyond academic training, the MOU also supports community oriented initiatives through research or community-based projects.

BPSU can facilitate community immersion programs for Master of Public Health (MPH) students. This allows them to gain practical experience in addressing public health challenges.

UP Manila Dean Fernando Garcia Jr. said they are also studying the expansion of the partnership to build a consortium of public health institutions for the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH).

“I am optimistic that the lessons learned from this collaboration will be a model for working with other universities,” Garcia said.

The partnership is expected to build pathways for better health outcomes by combining UP Manila’s clinical and public health expertise with BPSU’s commitment to sustainable development and public service.

“We learn from the communities we serve,” Chancellor Michael Tee said. “By showing us what is needed by the industry and the community, BPSU helps us be more responsive. Together, we are addressing the root causes of public health issues.”

The agreement was signed by Chancellor Tee, Dean Garcia, Dr. Macaraeg, BPSU President Ruby Santos-Matibag, BPSU Prof. Sharon Malasig, and Dean of BPSU School of Public Health and Community Development Rachel Castillo.

Also present during the ceremony are BPSU College of Public Health Secretary, Prof. Myra Mistica, UP Manila College of Public Health Senior Office Assistant Allison Simone Santos, and event organizers from the Office of International and Local Linkages Abegail Lim and Jericho Tapia.