Extension Project CARE: Empowering San Mariano’s Health Heroes Through Innovation and Wellness

In a significant stride toward localized healthcare innovation, Isabela State University (ISU) San Mariano Campus hosted a specialized extension activity under Project CARE (Community Aid through Rehabilitative Equipment) last March 19, 2026. Held at the campus Function Room, the event titled “From Innovation to Application of a Hand-Held Massage Tool 100 for Local Health Improvement” was specifically designed to equip Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) of San Mariano, Isabela, with essential skills in pain management and community service. Under the initiative of Project Leader Dr. Drolly P. Claravall, the activity took a holistic approach to community wellness, blending technical application with economic sustainability and interpersonal “soft skills.”

The program commenced with Dr. Rockangel Jamoral, who emphasized that effective healthcare begins with compassion through his session on “Communication and Empathy in Community Health Work,” teaching BHWs how to build deeper trust with their residents. This was followed by Dr. Mary Ann B. Mamauag, who discussed “Income Generation Opportunities in Utilizing the Hand-Held Massage Tool 100,” highlighting how the device serves as both a medical aid and a potential tool for micro-entrepreneurship among volunteers. To provide a scientific foundation, Dr. Aisie B. Liban explored the physiological aspects of wellness in “Understanding Pain and Stress: Its Causes, Types, and Mechanisms,” explaining how rehabilitative tools intervene in the body’s stress response. The training culminated in a hands-on demonstration by Dr. Drolly P. Claravall, who guided participants through the practical application and proper techniques of the Hand-Held Massage Tool 100.

Ultimately, the BHWs of San Mariano—the community’s primary frontliners—left the session with an expanded toolkit for service and a renewed sense of empowerment. By bridging the gap between university-led innovation and grassroots application, Project CARE continues to prove that rehabilitative technology is most powerful when placed directly in the hands of the community.

“Through Project CARE, we aren’t just handing out tools; we are fostering a culture of care, science-based relief, and self-reliance in our barangays.” — Project Team

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