PAP Bicol Regional Summit 2025

PAP Bicol Regional Summit 2025: A Two-Day Journey of Insight and Collaboration for Psychology Professionals

The PAP Bicol Regional Summit 2025, organized by the PAP Bicol Regional Chapter, took place on January 17-18 at Ninong’s Hotel in Legazpi City. The event successfully brought together psychology professionals, educators, and experts for two days of insightful learning, networking, and professional development. With a primary focus on the latest trends in psychological practice, particularly within school settings, the summit aimed to enhance the skills and expertise of psychology practitioners in the Bicol region.

The first day of the summit was filled with impactful plenary sessions that tackled pressing issues in mental health and professional development. Ms. Trixia Co, RPsy kicked off the discussions by addressing the critical topic of Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention in Schools and Workplaces, highlighting the need for preventive measures in these spaces.

Next, Dr. Arsenio Alianan, Jr., RPsy shared his expertise on Screening and Assessment in the School Setting, providing valuable tools for psychology professionals working in educational environments.

The summit continued with enriching presentations, including Ms. Gladys Canillo, RPm, LPT, RPsy, who focused on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) in Schools. Her session emphasized the importance of integrating mental health programs into the school system to better support students' well-being.

Dr. Imelda Virginia Villar, RPm, RPsy concluded the plenary sessions with a critical talk on Guidelines for Acquiring CPD Points and Maintaining License Requirements for psychology professionals in the Philippines. This session provided essential guidance for attendees seeking to advance their careers and ensure compliance with licensing requirements.

Throughout the day, participants were equipped with practical knowledge and new tools that would help strengthen mental health initiatives in their communities. The discussions exemplified the summit’s commitment to advancing mental health advocacy and supporting the professional growth of psychologists in the region.

Day 2 of the summit saw the energy and excitement continue as attendees engaged in two more impactful plenary sessions. Dr. Jim Rey Baloloy, RPsy opened the day by addressing the critical issue of bullying in schools, drawing insights from the PISA Results and offering actionable steps forward for educators and mental health professionals.

Following this, Dr. Alessandra Arpon, RPsy explored student-centered approaches to teaching research methods. She focused on how teaching techniques can be adapted to meet the diverse learning preferences of students, an important session for psychology professionals working in educational settings.

The summit’s final plenary session was delivered by Dr. Maria Caridad Taroja, RPsy, who tackled the vital topic of ethical issues in the practice of psychology in the Philippines, offering important insights on maintaining high ethical standards in the field.

As the summit concluded, participants were encouraged to take the knowledge and inspiration gained over the past two days back to their communities. The event was a resounding success, reinforcing the collective commitment to advancing mental health advocacy and furthering the development of the psychology profession in the Bicol region.