Cebu Technological University (CTU) provided Psychological First Aid (PFA) to 100 students, employees, and parents on the second day of its PFA initiative, held on October 9, 2025, at the open grounds of CTU Daanbantayan, to offer immediate psychosocial support to members of the university community affected by the recent earthquake in Northern Cebu.
Facilitated by CTU’s team of licensed psychometricians, guidance counselors, and psychology professionals, the session offered comfort, stabilization, and coping strategies to 50 students, 47 employees, and 3 parents. The open-air venue was chosen to ensure the safety of participants amid possible aftershocks.
Psychological First Aid is a critical and immediate intervention designed to provide comfort, stabilization, and coping mechanisms during and after disasters.
According to Psychology Professor Dr. Michelle Trangia, PFA serves as the first level of psychosocial support, typically conducted within three days up to three weeks after a disaster to help prevent long-term psychological distress, trauma, or mental health issues among affected individuals.
Following PFA, the second level, diffusing, is conducted during the third to fourth week, while the third level, debriefing, takes place about a month after the incident.
The PFA session also enabled facilitators to identify participants who needed additional medical, psychological, psychiatric, or financial assistance, referring them to their respective Local Government Units (LGUs) for continued care and monitoring.
Aside from providing direct psychosocial aid, the CTU team also aims to strengthen the university’s capacity for localized and sustained PFA interventions across campuses through a training program for teachers at CTU Danao Campus.
The initiative was spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, led by Dr. Romeo P. Montecillo, in partnership with the CTU Main Guidance Services Center, the Department of Psychology, and the University Information and Communications for Public Affairs (ICPA). Guidance counselors from CTU Danao, Daanbantayan, and Barili campuses also joined as facilitators, extending psychosocial care and support to the affected communities.
See the list of Facilitators here: https://bit.ly/48WBWIm
To complement the activity, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials on PFA and practical tips for managing post-disaster stress were distributed to participants by the University ICPA Office, the Office of the University Director for Student Media, Publications, and Other Related Programs and Services, and volunteer Development Communication Instructor Mr. Carl Patrick Baculi.
Participants also received relief packs prepared by the CTU Main Quick Response Team (QRT) as part of the university’s continuing support to affected students and personnel.
The first session of PFA was held on October 8, 2025, for students and employees of CTU Tabogon and CTU San Remigio Extension Campuses, marking the start of CTU’s multi-campus psychosocial intervention program for Northern Cebu.
CTU Daanbantayan Campus Director Dr. Ruben M. Ungui also showed his support for the team and the conduct of the PFA at the campus. Daanbantayan Mayor Gilbert Arrabis Jr., who also inspected CTU buildings, expressed his support for the university’s initiative.
Through this continuing initiative, CTU reaffirms its commitment to holistic recovery and mental wellness, ensuring that its academic community receives both emotional and practical support in the wake of calamities.
