By Joseph B.A. Marzan
An official of the Commission on Higher Education-Region 6 (CHED-6) on Wednesday revealed that six Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the city and province of Iloilo have been granted authority to resume face-to-face (F2F) classes on a limited capacity.
Dr. Arnold Anceno, Education Supervisor II of the CHED-6, named West Visayas State University (WVSU), Central Philippine University (CPU), University of Iloilo (UI), Iloilo Doctors College (IDC), University of San Agustin (USA), and Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) as recipients of the Certificate of Authority to hold limited F2F classes.
The 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.
The WVSU started its limited F2F for their flagship Nursing program in October after receiving the authority from the CHED. It also has another certificate for their Medicine program.
Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-001 by the CHED and the Department of Health (DOH) allowed for limited F2F classes in areas which are at lower risk for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Anceno also mentioned that facility inspections were conducted by a team composed of the regional offices of CHED, DOH, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-6), as well as the local government units.
Students can still avail of the flexible learning scheme from their HEIs if they feel that it would be unsafe for them to attend F2F classes.
“Limited [F2F] is not mandatory. This is voluntary by nature. If the students feels that they are unsafe, they [can] opt not to join the [F2F], but still it is the obligation of our [HEIs] to give them the flexible learning scheme,” Anceno said.
Other schools in Western Visayas also granted authority for limited F2F include the Aklan State University, Aklan Polytechnic College, University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City, Southland College in Kabankalan City, and Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology in Sagay City.
