By Rizal Obanil and Alexandria Dennise San Juan
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Tuesday issued an advisory ordering higher education institutes (HEIs) in Luzon to suspend all classes, on-the-job trainings, and class activities for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine.
CHED Commissioner J. Prospero De Vera III, in the agency's fifth set of guidelines to prevent COVID-19, said classes in all levels and school activities including on-the-job training and internships for the entire Luzon region are suspended until April 14.
In CHED's latest guidelines, De Vera also directed HEIs in Luzon to immediately advise its students, faculty, and staff who will be affected by the enhanced community quarantine to arrange for immediate departure to their hometowns.
However, the Commission noted that anyone who is required to fly out from any of the international airports in Luzon will be allowed to travel for a period of 72 hours from the effectivity of the enhanced community quarantine.
CHED added that tertiary institutions should also direct their employees to work from home except for offices which will require a skeletal workforce "to ensure provision of essential basic services" such as processing of salary, janitorial services to clean and disinfect facilities, and offices and security services.
"HEIs with skeletal workforce must ensure its strict compliance with the precautionary measures directed by the Department of Health and quarantine measures enforced by the local government units (LGUs)," De Vera said.
Meanwhile, the CHED chief pointed out that LGUs already have the discretion to suspend classes in HEIs outside Luzon, depending on the threat posed by COVID-19, and provided that measures and arrangements are in place to allow the students to continue fulfilling their requirements.
"Whenever a class suspension is ordered, HEIs should inform the students of the importance of remaining in their homes during class suspension," he added.
"HEIs must work and coordinate with their local governments and CHED Regional Offices if they need to suspend classes, adjust their semesters or cancel events within their universities and colleges. CHED Regional Offices may provide assistance and support as needed."