MANILA – As cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continue to drop, schools are gradually being allowed to conduct face-to-face classes, albeit in a limited capacity.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in Region 6 announced these Western Visayas-based Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have been approved to resume limited in-person classes:
* West Visayas State University (WVSU)
* Central Philippine University (CPU)
* University of Iloilo (UI)
* Iloilo Doctors College (IDC)
* University of San Agustin (USA)
* Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC)
* Aklan State University
* Aklan Polytechnic College
* University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City
* Southland College in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental
* Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology in Sagay City, Negros Occidental
According to Dr. Arnold Anceno, education supervisor II of CHED-6, classes are limited only to degree programs in the medical field (nursing, medical technology, physical therapy, medicine, midwifery, public health, and dentistry), and other programs such as hospitality management, travel management, engineering, industrial technology, marine engineering, and transportation engineering.
CHED and Department of Health (DOH) Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-001 allowed limited face-to-face classes in areas under a lower COVID-19 alert level system.
Anceno assured students that the school facilities would be safe. Inspections were conducted by a team composed of the regional offices of CHED, DOH and the Department of Interior and Local Government.
“Limited face-to-face classes are not mandatory. This is voluntary by nature. If the students feel that they are unsafe, they [can] opt not to join, but still it is the obligation of our [HEIs] to give them the flexible learning scheme,” Anceno said./PN
