CHED OKs limited face-to-face classes in 93 universities, colleges

MANILA, Philippines — More universities and colleges are allowed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to conduct limited face-to-face classes on their medical-related courses.

CHED, in a presentation during an online briefing on Thursday, said 93 higher educational institutions (HEIs) in 14 regions in the country were allowed to conduct limited face-to-face classes.

Most of the institutions allowed are from Metro Manila at 16 universities and colleges, 13 in Region 12, 12 in Region 4 and Region 12, seven in Region 5 and Region 7, six in the Cordillera Administrative Region, five in Region 5 and Region 9, three in Region 1 and Region 11, and one institution each in Region 2, Region 3, and CARAGA.

Here is the list of 93 HEIs which were allowed to conduct face-to-face classes as of June 21:

Meanwhile, CHED Commissioner Prospero De Vera III said there are no reported virus transmission so far at some of the institutions conducting limited face-to-face classes.

“From those that started early, like UP College Manila, [Our Lady of] Fatima, UERM [University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center] we have some preliminary data already,” he said during the online briefing, noting that the said institutions did not record any kind of new coronavirus transmission.

As of June 21, CHED received 155 applications from universities and colleges that are interested in reopening, of which 113 were inspected.

De Vera said they are looking into opening more courses for limited face-to-face classes if the data from the institutions which are now conducting classes proved that it is safe to do so.

“We are generating this data, and if the data shows that the things are safe, we will recommend the next sem[esters] of the degree programs that will have limited face to face,” De Vera said.

JE