GMA NEWS: NOV. 13, 2013 CHED suspends college operations in Yolanda-hit areas The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Wednesday ordered a temporary stop in the operations of private and public universities and colleges in Visayas areas hit by super Typhoon Yolanda. “(CHED) hereby declares the immediate CESSATION OF OPERATIONS of public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) in Region 8, in the severely affected areas of Regions 6, 7 and other similarly situated regions, for the moment,” CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan said in a November 13 order. She said the institutions were directed to resume operations by January 15, 2014, or as soon as their capacity to operate “has stabilized and been determined to be in the best interest of all concerned stakeholders and when public safety and security have been assured by competent authorities.” Over 2,000 have been confirmed dead when Yolanda, the worlds strongest typhoon to make landfall, battered many provinces in the Visayas last Friday. The number is expected to increase as rescuers continue to dig through rubbles and damaged establishments in the affected areas. CHED, however, said universities and colleges in the affected regions that can manage to operate normally and whose students are able to continue with routine activities may opt to follow the regular schedule for the second semester. “However, together with other organizations and institutions with whom CHED is currently coordinating, these HEIs are urged to assist CHED in undertaking appropriate measures to mitigate the impact of Typhoon Yolanda on the people living in the severely affected areas—particularly the students, faculty, staff and other members of the academic community,” Licuanan said. She also instructed CHED regional directors in the affected areas to undertake all measures to track the whereabouts and physical safety of their respective staff. “The Regional Directors should touch base with the concerned HEIs in their areas, as well as be alert to proper issuances from authorized government agencies principally responsible for disaster operations and management,” she said. She further said that affected institutions are requested to coordinate with the regional directors to ensure that no student, faculty or staff shall be unduly prejudiced in their academic standing, employment benefits, or other compensation packages due them. “As soon as it is convenient for them to do so, affected HEIs shall provide updated information on the status of their institution and the estimate of the damage they incurred,” Licuanan said. “The Commission is therefore enjoining all concerned sectors to extend their full cooperation and support in order to alleviate the conditions of affected Filipinos and make these more bearable and humane under the circumstances,” she added. — Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 13:12:55 +0000
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