The UP Manila Healthy University Office (HUO), the first among the constituent units of the UP System, was institutionalized to lead and coordinate all University efforts that advance health, safety, and well-being across its constituents. As the primary unit responsible for driving and maintaining a culture of well-being, the HUO anchors its mandate on its three major thrusts: research, public service, and education—promoting the healthy university concept through generating evidence, building capacity, and engaging the community.

We envision UPM HUO to advance health and safety not only within our university but also in the Philippines and in the ASEAN Region. We enjoin faculty, REPS, administrative staff, and students to participate in HUO programs. We invite institutions to continue to collaborate with us on research and capacity-building. We also encourage the general public to use and also promote online HUO materials for everyone to develop healthy habits.

Let us all work towards a Healthy UP Manila, a Healthy Philippines, and a Healthy ASEAN region!

Dr. Paul Michael R. Hernandez, MOH

The HUO underscores UP Manila’s commitment to being a healthy learning institution and provides technical and administrative support for the University’s health and safety programs.

UP Manila’s adoption of the healthy university concept began in the late 1990s with the creation of the Healthy University Committee, later renamed the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Committee in the early 2000s, and eventually the UP Manila Health and Safety Committee (UPM-HSC). The Committee was originally mandated to develop and oversee the University’s OHS policies and programs. In 2016, the UPM-HSC was reconstituted and further advocated for the institution of the UPM Occupational Health and Safety Policy. The Committee has also extended its service beyond the University by providing training programs and workshops to other institutions in the country.

With the adoption of new policy frameworks such as health-promotion settings and the Healthy University Framework (HUF), UPM updated its OHS protocols to better promote the well-being of its constituents, in line with WHO recommendations for safe and healthy working and learning environments. The HUF, along with the 2020 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Public Sector, outlined in the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 series of 2020 of the Civil Service Commission, Department of Health and Department of Labor and Employment, highlights the need to reorganize the UPM-HSC and develop a guiding framework for the institution of new policies, programs, and services to transform UPM into a Healthy University. In 2023, UPM launched its Health and Safety Policy, demonstrating its commitment to OHS and supporting its mandate as the Health Sciences Center. The policy outlined the roles of the UPM-HSC, Unit HSCs, and Health and Safety Technical Working Groups representing the pillars of a healthy university: Mental Health and Wellbeing, Physical Wellness, Industrial Hygiene, Workplace Safety, Campus Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, and Campus Order and Security.

Due to a lack of support staff, UPM-HSC encountered difficulties in implementing, monitoring, and evaluating health and safety programs, resulting in unsustained initiatives. To address these challenges, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance proposed the creation of the HUO as the primary unit to coordinate health and safety efforts and promote a healthier university environment. The UP System Board of Regents approved the establishment of HUO during its 1383rd meeting on 24 August 2023. HUO was tasked with providing technical and administrative support for the planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating OHS programs for the university.

HUO's initiatives focus on three core thrusts: education, research, and public service. HUO fosters close collaboration with UP Manila’s colleges and units, encouraging active stakeholder participation. HUO also recognizes that evidence-informed planning is essential for sustainable and effective OHS programs. Dr. Paul Michael R. Hernandez, an OHS expert from the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, serves as HUO’s first and current director. Vanessa Cruz

Mission

• To co-create a healthy and safe environment for UP Manila students, faculty, and staff through evidence-based initiatives
• To capacitate the UP Manila community to adopt healthy lifestyles and safe practices that will contribute to a sustainable future
• To serve as a research hub for university health and safety programs/initiatives
• To collaborate with local and international partners to advance the healthy university movement

Vision
The center of health promotion initiatives for higher education institutions in the Philippines by 2030

Programs
1. Health Promotion Program
⠀⠀a. Wellness Wednesdays Project
⠀⠀b. Healthy U Campaign
⠀⠀c. Access to the Sports Science and Wellness Center for UP Manila employees

2. Policy Development
⠀⠀a. Smoke-Free Workplace Policy (SFWP)
⠀⠀b. Drug-Free Workplace Policy (DFWP)
⠀⠀c.Campus Transport Safety and Parking Enforcement Policy (CTSPE)
⠀⠀d.Annual Physical Examinations Guidelines

3. OHS Curriculum Integration
4. Partnerships & Linkages Program
5. OHS Research Program
6. Quality Assurance Program
7. Technical Assistance Program