CHED launches vaccination campaign for Central Luzon college students

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will conduct simultaneous vaccination activities for college students in Central Luzon on Nov. 19 in preparation for the holding of face-to-face classes.

CHED-Central Luzon officer-in-charge Maria Teresita Semana urged students who have not been vaccinated to take part in the initiative.

“This is your chance to be protected,” she said.

Semana said among the schools to be used as vaccination sites are the Central Luzon State University, Nueva Ecija Doctors Colleges Inc. and Wesleyan University-Philippines in Nueva Ecija and Holy Cross College, Guagua National Colleges, Our Lady of Fatima University-Pampanga Inc. and City College of San Fernando in Pampanga.

Vaccination will also be held at the Aurora State College of Technology in Aurora, Asia Pacific College of Advanced Studies Inc. in Bataan and Bulacan State University, La Consolacion University Philippines, Polytechnic College of the City of Meycauayan, Dr. Yanga’s Colleges Inc. and Richwell College in Bulacan.

Vaccination for college students in Tarlac will be held at the Tarlac Agricultural University and Tarlac State University.

The Columban College Inc., Polytechnic College of Botolan and President Ramon Magsaysay State University in Zambales are the other vaccination sites.

Semana said only 21 percent of college students in the region have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, in Pangasinan, 80 students of Longos Elementary School in Barangay Pangapisan and 28 more from 100 Islands Cowboy Christian Learning Center Inc. in Alaminos City will join the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes from kindergarten to Grade 5 starting tomorrow.

Simulation classes were conducted on Thursday.

City schools division superintendent Lorna Bugayong said the participating teachers, parents of the students and residents within the vicinity of the school have been vaccinated.

She said zero COVID cases were also recorded in the barangays where the two schools were located.

Education Undersecretary Alain Pascua conducted an ocular inspection of the two schools on Wednesday and was satisfied with the preparations for the in-person classes.