President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday (Sept. 28) approved the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) request for the expansion of limited face-to-face classes to other degree programs that require hands-on experience in higher education institutions (HEIs) under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), CHED Chairperson Prospero de Vera said in a statement.
According to De Vera, Executive Sec. Salvador Medialdea issued the authority for face-to-face activities in the following areas last Sept. 21:
Engineering and Technology programs
Hospitality/ Hotel and Restaurant Management
Tourism/ Travel Management
Marine Engineering
Marine Transportation
“The Commission thanks President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the approval of limited face-to-face classes for the said programs in order to contribute to the efforts to boost the economic recovery of the country, as this will directly affect human resource development,” De Vera said.
“Based on the data we gathered on the ground, there is a small percentage of students and faculty members who were affected by COVID-19. I’m convinced that it is safe to hold face-to-face classes and it can be expanded to cover other degree programs,” he added.
De Vera said he is currently coordinating with National Task Force (NTF) chief implementor and vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. with regards to “aggressively pushing” for the vaccination of all faculty, staff, and students in HEIs to add another layer of protection to face-to-face classes.
“Some of our HEIs have completed the vaccination of their employees and students. We aim to do it for other HEIs as more vaccines arrive,” De Vera said.
“We assure our students, parents, and faculty that holding in-person classes is safe. Our guidelines are strict,” he added. – Report from PTV News/PG – jlo
