3 Bohol HEIs ready to apply for F2F classes

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Nov. 25 (PIA) -- At least two higher educational institutions in Bohol have reportedly requested the Bohol Inter Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (BIATF) for the latter's approval to start their classroom retrofit and be ready for the limited face to face (F2F) classes by either December or January of next year.

BIATF through Provincial Administrator Atty. Katherin Pioquinto said University of Bohol and Holy Name University (HNU) have confirmed their plans to conduct limited F2F classes as soon as their application is approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Bohol Island State University was also said to prepare for an application starting with the vaccination of their students billed sa Resbakuna Para Makabalik sa Eskwela.

During its online meeting recently, HNU Health and Medical Sciences Dean Ruvih Joy Garrote has asked the BIATF for a recommendation which will form part of the school’s documents for official submission to CHED.

According to Garrote, HNU is applying for limited F2F classes for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Medical Technology courses, and they have to get the BIATF endorsement so they can start reconfiguring their classrooms for a 50% capacity and be assured of social distancing.

HEIs have the responsibility to conduct consultations with their stakeholders before retrofitting their classrooms and facilitate the ocular inspection by the CHED before they can formally file the application for F2F class opening.

In Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2021-001, CHED and Department of Health said that while flexible learning is “deemed the most appropriate and safest pedagogical approach during the pandemic, there might be some instances that face-to-face delivery of certain courses is necessary.”

The guidelines in the said memorandum also set the guidelines for school administrators and officials on the gradual reopening of campuses of HEIs for limited F2F classes during the pandemic.

The guidelines serve as the framework for HEIs that are willing to assume the responsibilities for the reopening of the campuses and intending to hold limited F2F classes.

For the schools, part of their responsibilities for the reopening of their campuses for F2F classes include their capacity to comply with the health and safety protocols, retrofit their facilities and earn the support of stakeholders primarily the local government unit upon whose area of responsibility they belong.

Based on the Guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of Alert Levels System for COVID-19 Response, areas under Alert Levels 1, 2 and 3 are allowed to conduct limited F2F classes subject to certain conditions.

These conditions include 50% indoor venue capacity, participation of fully vaccinated teaching and non-teaching personnel and students only, and no opposition from the local government unit concerned.

The government mandates that the continued implementation of proactive measures and restrictions must be put in place to slow down the surge in COVID-19 cases, stop further spread of variants, and buy time for the health system to cope and protect more lives.

Tthe Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has passed Resolution No. 148-G Series of 2021, dated Nov. 16 approving and adopting the proposed Phased Implementation of Limited Face-to-Face Classes for All Programs under the Alert Levels 1 System for COVID-19 Response of CHED.

It allows CHED to implement the said program under the proposed two phases to ensure the safe reopening of campuses.

The two phases include the implementation beginning December 2021 onwards for all HEIs in areas under Alert Level 2 which applied for F2F classes.

Phase 2 starts in January 2022 onwards for all HEIs in areas under Alert Level 3. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)

DOUBLE TIME. Vaccination teams prepare the vaccination of 12 years old to 17 years old as schools target to open their gates anew for limited face to face classes this December. 2021. (PIABOhol)

Newbies break TAPP 2021 trail run honors

ALICIA, Bohol, Dec. 5 (PIA) -- The endlessly undulating hills of Cambaol Alicia proved to be a break for young trail runners at the corral of the Provincial Youth and Sports Development Office (PYSDO), with its prime steeds showing class in the otherwise harsh terrain for extreme trail running in Bohol, at least in the five-kilometer race.

The unending assault to the peak, ridge traverses, seemingly impossible down hills, and treacherous creek passes became a test of balance, agility, and constant pressing for Drimon Baja on jersey 5006 who completed the five-kilometer loop that brought trail runners to at least six hills assaults and technical down hills in 32:20 to claim as the best promising novice trail runner in The Alicia Panoramic Park (TAPP) history.

At his heels was Michael Ucab (5035) who crossed the finish line at 34:03, or two minutes later.

Both Baja and Ucab are in the PYSDO pool of athletes.

Meanwhile, James Pedrasita (5028) 34:18 came in third and Prince Neil Tinaja (5034) 37:28, as well as Joel Urbuda (5036) came in eight minutes after the trail champion at 40:00 in the men's division.

In the women’s trail challenge at five kilometers, PYSDO pool athlete April Alampayan (5039) crossed the finish line fifth overall with a time of 37:30, beating several tested male trail veterans here.

After her was Jovelyn Calvo (50:09) with a strong performance despite being new to the rough extreme mountain trails when she crossed the line at 53:09.

Veteran marathoner Ma. Caress Arnejo (5003) wobbled to the finish line at 56:46, totally drained she has to be rushed for medical attention.

May Amor Sabas (5031) came in fourth at 59:37, Maria Medie Libaton (5021) at 1:16:16, and Susan Lim (5022) at 1:17:50.

In the men’s 10-kilometer race, which eventually turned out to be nearly 12 kilometers of trails, jersey number 1014 of Joey Coquilla 1:42:22 sauntered to the finish line as champion while James Palma (10:28) came in at 1:44:24.

TAPP trail veteran and marathoner Candelario Logronio (1026), who suffered from a bike crash in another race in Inabanga, limped to third with 1:47:30 in his time clock.

Jimmy Libaton (1084) settled for fourth at 1:54:00 and Joseph Bobby Felisarta at fifth (1038) with 1:55:35 followed by Clarin teacher athlete Floro Tunday (1035) at 2:01:34.

In the women’s 10-kilometer trail race, TAPP queen of the trails Ace Jess Ejoc (1017) continued her reign for two years now as she crossed the line at 2:45:20.

In her wake was Jo Bompat Hormiguera (1022) who came in an hour and a half later at 3:22:10.

Meanwhile, trail and miler veteran Norie Jinggay Calimbayan (1034) finished at 4:01:59.

Another Bohol runner veteran Fluhr Maridel Go (1018) finished fourth at 4:22:16.

Alicia Mayor Victoriano Torres was excited with the successful race and promised more exciting trail competitions, including an ultramarathon at the TAPP.

Race Director Richard Aniana said that if not for the pandemic, the ultramarathon was supposed to take place in 2020.

Alicia Tourism Officer Godelia Lumogdang said the local team would be back on the drawing board for more exciting and more breathtaking views and assaulting trail if only to conquer the TAPP heights and be crowned veteran of the local mountain trail running scene. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)

TRAILS OVER THE HILLS. The Alicia Panoramic Park in Cambaol, Alicia offers spectacular sights that trail runners never miss to pause on each hilltop and get the obligatory selfie. (PIA Bohol)