SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY, BAGUIO CITY – To further discuss the provisions of the CHED-DOH Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2021-01, a coordination meeting among the Commission on Higher Education – CAR, Department of Health – CAR, Local Government Unit of City of Baguio, IATF, and Higher Education Institutions in CAR was held on March 02, 2021 at Gever’s Hall, Saint Louis University.

Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, President of Saint Louis University, opened the meeting with his welcome message.

Dr. Danilo B. Bose, OIC-Director IV of CHED-CAR, gave his briefer on the said JMC. In his message, he solicited the full coordination of the different agencies and HEIs for the success of the implementation of the gradual opening of schools for the students. He emphasized that all of the standards indicated on the checklist must be strictly complied before the HEI can open for the face-to-face classes.

Dr. Jimmy G. Catanes, Education Supervisor II of CHED-CAR, fully discussed the inclusions of the said JMC. 

The coordination meeting became an avenue for the HEIs to bring out their predicaments on the implementation of the gradual limited face-to-face classes. Atty. Althea Rosanna V. Alberto assured the HEIs that the LGU of Baguio City will be in full support of their needs especially in this challenging phase. She also reminded the HEIs to adapt a contact tracing system of their choice for easier monitoring of their students.

Dr. Jennifer Joyce Pira of DOH-CAR suggested that students of HEIs who will open for the limited face-to-face classes will be considered as front liners and that they will be included in the list of whom will be vaccinated.

From the City Health Services Office, Dr. Alice Torres gave the assurance that the city has enough quarantine and isolation facilities.

Mrs. Marlene Baltazar-Castro of the Baguio City Mayor’s Office requested the target schedule of the HEIs for them to be able to draft the Executive Order to be issued by the Hon. Benjamin B. Magalong.

Among the HEIs present during the coordination meeting were Saint Louis University, University of the Cordilleras, University of Baguio, Baguio Central University, Pines City Colleges and Easter College.

The opening of the limited face-to-face classes for selected health-allied degree programs is set to start on the 1st Semester of AY 2021-2022.