Several college students of Our Lady of Fatima University in this city received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines last October 13.
The activity, dubbed as “Padyak! Para sa Flexible Learning, Sama-Samang Vaccination Program”, was part of the promotion and advocacy initiatives of the Commission on Higher Education as the commission pushes for the reopening of limited face-to-face (F2F) classes of other degree programs in selected higher education institutions.
This was after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte approved on September 2021 the CHED’s request for the expansion of limited face-to-face classes to other degree programs that require hands-on experience in HEIs under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).
CHED Chairman Prospero “Popoy” De Vera said that while vaccination would not be mandatory, CHED is encouraging students to be vaccinated.
“Ang approach ng CHED is not to require it, it is to convince and incentivize vaccination. It is easier for this batch now because there are available vaccines. There should be no reason why students can’t get vaccinated. But is it a required mandate? It is not, but we encourage them,” De Vera said.
OLFU is one of the very first universities to receive a Certificate of Authority from CHED to go face-to-face in medicine and health-allied degree programs in March 2021.
Now, they are again applying for the limited F2F classes of their other degree programs after Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on September 21, 2021, issued the authority for face-to-face activities in the following areas: Engineering and Technology programs; Hospitality/ Hotel and Restaurant Management; Tourism/ Travel Management; Marine Engineering; and, Marine Transportation.
Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago thanked CHED and the National Task Force Against Covid-19 for launching the vaccination drive in San Fernando.
“I am very grateful and honored to welcome you all here in the City of San Fernando and witness the vaccination of our Fernandino Tertiary Students. Ako po ay nagpapasalamat nang malaki sa CHED at sa NTF Against Covid-19 for launching this first here in San Fernando and ensuring a safe and healthy school community for the Fernandinos,” the mayor said.
The ceremonial vaccination was made possible thru the collaborative efforts of the Local Government of San Fernando, CHED, NTF Against COVID-19, the National COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC), Department of Health, Center for Health Development Region III, CHED-Region III, and OLFU.
The City Health Office had inoculated 457 OLFU students from the 700 target population.
Also, the CHO has already started the vaccination of Fernandinos aged 18 years old and above or the Rest of the Adult Population (RAOP).
After its kick-off in San Fernado and Mabalacat City, the “Padyak! Para sa Flexible Learning, Sama-Samang Vaccination Program” will go across different regions to ramp up the vaccination rollout to tertiary students.
