ASMPH students spend weekend in Morong for a cause

As an answer to the call to actively engage medical practitioners in environmental issues and its effects on communities, the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health’s (ASMPH) Advocates of Consciousness and Social Involvement Society – Asian Medical Student’s Association (ACSIS-AMSA) recently conducted an outreach activity in Morong, Bataan.

Headed by ACSIS-AMSA President Celine Guillermo, “Pawikan Weekend” activity gathered 21 volunteers from ASMPH who travelled to Pawikan Beach, Pawikan Conservation Center (PCC) in Bataan and released 91 baby turtles into the ocean. The activity aimed to provide the medical students with an avenue to develop awareness and appreciation of environmental advocates.

“ASMPH medical students get to further the ultimate goal: to become leader-advocates equipped to tackle the realm of health in all its aspects, including adapting and changing towards environmental patterns we are constantly facing today,” said Guillermo.
 

Donations were gathered before the January 27 outreach event. The proceeds were used to aid PCC’s programs dedicated to rescuing, protecting, and propagating marine turtles and to helping in the release of newly-hatched baby sea turtles into the ocean.

“All throughout the day, they were given the chance to interact with various caretakers and inquire about environmental efforts that need to be emphasized. They learned about how the Pawikan Conservation Center not only improved the lives of our Philippine pawikan, but also brought the community together in battling poaching, and climate change,” Guillermo added.