09/09/2026
ONE CONNECTION, GREATER IMPACT: VSBES-Unicare Partnership Reaches Daliaon District
What began as a successful partnership between V.S. Bangoy Elementary School (VSBES) and Unicare Medical Clinic has expanded into a district-wide initiative, bringing health advocacy closer to learners across the five schools of Daliaon District.
Through the initiative of Sir Joel C. Base, Principal of VSBES, the established partnership with Unicare was extended to the district, culminating in the Ceremonial Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on September 8, 2026, at the Villa Carmelita Inland Resort Function Hall.
The collaboration seeks to promote the health, proper nutrition, safety, and well-being of learners and school personnel, while strengthening cooperation between schools, health providers, and community stakeholders.
“Our advocacy as health providers is to ensure that our learners are healthy and properly nourished because a healthy child is more likely to stay in school, focus on learning, and perform better academically. By keeping our learners healthy, we are also helping them reach their full potential,” said Dr. Joseph D. Orquio, Chief Operating Officer of Unicare Medical Clinic.
Dr. Joseph also recognized the opportunity to broaden Unicare's community service through Sir Joel's initiative, noting that their partnership had already been established during Sir Joel's previous assignment in Binugao.
A key feature of the partnership is the Batang Health Worker (BHW) Program, presented by Dr. Gemma M. Orquio, Unicare BHW Consultant, which aims to equip learners with basic health and medicine-related knowledge and encourage them to become young health advocates.
Dr. Maria Luz Tan, Chief of SGOD, who represented the Schools Division of Davao City together with Dr. Brian Mahinay, Division Adopt-A-School Focal Person, welcomed the initiative.
“The BHW Program could serve as an avenue for our students to gain valuable knowledge about health and medicine while giving them the opportunity to become young health advocates and help promote the well-being of their fellow learners,” Dr. Tan emphasized.
The partnership brought together the administrators of the five Daliaon District schools—Sir Bernardo L. Pañares of DJDCCES, Sir Arman M. Caballero of RFMES, Cherryl D. Francisco of SCES, Ma'am Barbara Bongato of JVFES, and Sir Joel C. Base of VSBES—along with SGC officers, barangay officials, GPTA officers, and other stakeholders.
The occasion concluded with a message of gratitude and support from Dr. Leonida A. Polentinos, Daliaon District Supervisor, who recognized the importance of strong collaboration among schools, health providers, families, government offices, and other stakeholders.
From V.S. Bangoy Elementary School to the entire Daliaon District, the Unicare partnership has grown from one school's connection into a collective commitment.
And behind that expansion is a simple but powerful leadership principle demonstrated by Sir Joel C. Base:
From a partnership nurtured at V.S. Bangoy Elementary School, Unicare's commitment has now reached five schools—proving that when one successful partnership is shared, its impact can reach an entire district. (mbh)
