VAX Rollout at QCU Batasan
Oct. 29 – Nearly 300 students of Quezon City University (QCU) received their 1st dose of AstraZeneca vaccine at Batasan campus through the initiatives of Quezon City LGU led by Mayor Maria Josefina “Joy” Belmonte and the chairperson of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Dr. J. Prospero “Popoy” de Vera.
The vaccination rollout program, “Padyak para sa Flexible Learning, sama-samang Vaccination Program for Tertiary Students”, is for the anticipation of limited face-to-face classes or hybrid flexible learning. Mayor Joy declared that QC already reached 100% fully vaccinated in 1.7 million population which consists of 80% of the adult population in the city. Another 10%, reaching 90% of the population for the 1st dose vaccinee with 1.9 million population as of October 2021.
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐐𝐂 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬
In her message, Mayor Joy assures that, “… it’s about time for minors to be vaccinated”. She added “… we started vaccinating our 12 to 17 last Friday [Oct. 22, 2021]. Meron po tayong 300,000 [population of] youngsters and I’m looking forward to finishing yung [vaccination] ng 300,000 na yan by the first half of November.”
Philippines is one of the two countries that still haven’t resumed face-to-face classes due to the pandemic and many youths suffered from this. She guarantees that as soon as youths get vaccinated, the education system in the country will be back on track to help students cope up with the things that have been missed.
𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐦
The demand for quality tertiary education is sky-high especially for degrees that require “hands-on experience”. Chair de Vera considered creating a flexible curriculum to ensure the even implementation of limited face-to-face classes throughout the country. In the press release of CHED last September 28, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the expansion of limited face-to-face classes for the following degrees:
– Engineering and Technology programs
– Hospitality/ Hotel and Restaurant Management
– Tourism/ Travel Management
– Marine Engineering
– Marine Transportation
“Ang approach po natin, tinignan po natin ang mga degree programs na kailangan [ng hands-on experience] para maka-graduate, para makakuha ng licensure test, at para makakuha ng essential skills,” said CHED chairperson Popoy de Vera.
QCU is one of the higher education institutions to open limited in-person classes in the National Capital Region (NCR). He said that guidelines will be strictly implemented to protect the students and prevent the spread of the virus.
Out of 89% of universities who reported to CHED, 75% of Higher Education Personnel (HEP) or nearly 188,000 faculty employees had been vaccinated nationwide according to Chair de Vera. He added, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has 86% of vaccinated individuals, Region 3 and Region 11 have an 80% vaccinated rate, and lastly Region 4B and 12 with less than 68% of the total vaccination rate.
𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫
QCU President Dr. Theresita V. Atienza said that the initiative to open the education sector will be worthwhile, especially at the tertiary level. “Hindi lang economic sector and pinagiisipan ng pamahalaan. Ang susunod na mahalaga sa economic sector ay education sector… lalong lalo na ang higher education, dahil kayo ang susunod na magpaparticipate sa ating pagawaan, sa ating mga establisyemento, at sa ating mga paaralan at unibersidad bilang bagong manggagawa,”
“Dapat pagpasalamatan natin ang opportunity na mabigyan tayo ng bakuna, dahil ang gusto ng ating lungsod Quezon, ang gusto ng ating pamahalaan ay lahat tayo ay protektodo,” says Dr. Atienza.
Students will be vaccinated again on January 7, 2022, for their 2nd dose.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/quezontribune
Article URL: https://www.facebook.com/quezontribune/photos/a.105662298568906/115721307563005
By: Jholo Louise Baybayon
Photo taken by Vanessa Ubaldo
Other Photos Source: https://www.facebook.com/QCGov
