The UC Guidance Services and Wellness Center successfully conducted the Upgrading Counselling Strategies Towards Effective Processes (UC – STEP) Program Phase 3 on January 16 and 19, 2026, bringing the Student Affairs Services staffs together for a morning of learning, collaboration, and advocacy. The activity highlighted a series of trainings, workshops, and benchmarking initiatives aimed at strengthening guidance services and promoting holistic well-being.
The program opened with the IPCAP 7th Midyear Convention Workshop and Benchmarking, facilitated by Ms. Daphne E. Zaparita and Ms. Leah Ann S. De Palma, which provided insights into best practices and innovative approaches in counseling and student support services.
A Policy Making Seminar and Workshop, led by Dr. Angelita A. Padilla, equipped attendees with essential frameworks and strategies in developing responsive and inclusive institutional policies. This session emphasized the importance of structured systems in addressing student needs effectively.
One of the highlights of the program was #SamaSama: A Legacy of Enhancing Filipinos’ Mental Health and Well-being, presented by Mr. JohnFrey C. Cabalonga and Mr. Cristian Adam D. Salanga. The session underscored the importance of collective effort in promoting mental health awareness and fostering supportive communities within educational institutions.
The activity also featured insights from benchmarking and conferences, including the DLSU Benchmarking and 49th ECPA-APECA Annual Conference, shared by Ms. Charmaine M. Factor and Ms. Stephanie Joy K. Pogongan. Additionally, key learnings from the 2025 Population and Development (POPDEV) Summit were presented, further enriching participants’ perspectives on current social and developmental issues.
Overall, Program Phase 3 served as a platform for professional development, collaboration, and strengthened commitment to advancing guidance services and mental health initiatives—reinforcing the institution’s dedication to nurturing resilient and empowered communities.
