CHED-13 taps
HEIs, partners for typhoon response
BUTUAN CITY
-- The Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-Caraga is gearing towards a
needs-based, demand-driven approach to assist typhoon-affected constituents in
the higher education sector in the region.
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| Colorado |
CHED-Caraga
regional director Dr. George Colorado on Monday, February 14, in an interview
with PIA-Caraga, said that they will be working closely with higher education
institutes (HEIs) and CHED scholars in the region to solicit their inputs and
come up with a comprehensive strategy to address the specific needs of
typhoon-battered schools and students, especially those in the provinces of
Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands.
"I
think that it would be better that [solutions] would come from them because it
will strengthen their determination to implement them later on," said
Colorado.
After the
onslaught of the typhoon, Director Colorado and his personnel immediately
visited affected areas, particularly in Siargao Islands and the Bucas Grande
Islands in Surigao del Norte, to assess the schools.
As of press
time, CHED-Caraga has estimated a total of PhP344,555,704.07 in damages
sustained by HEIs across the region and PhP91,288,000 in the municipality of
Socorro and the rest of Siargao Islands, and recorded an estimate of
PhP383,274,063.03 in rehabilitation needs.
As part of
their initial interventions, scholars and grantees continue to receive funds
from their respective programs to help support their needs during the
disaster. The regional director has instructed HEIs to utilize the funds
downloaded to them for mobilizing faculty members to personally reach out to
their students and personally assess their situation.
As for
learning continuity, submission of school requirements has relaxed in all
affected HEIs.
"Our
response to this is the same as when we experienced the first wave of the
COVID-19 pandemic. We relaxed on the requirements, allowing the students to
tackle the courses beyond the term, if necessary," said Colorado.
"They
may not be able to submit their requirements within the semester, it's alright
to extend the semester. They can still enroll in their subjects and continue
submitting the requirements for the previous semester," he added.
Schools have
also initiated their own interventions for both their students and faculties.
Universities and colleges that offer social work/health programs rendered
psychosocial support for their students. Others offered their facilities to
help faculties in need of temporary shelter.
CHED-Caraga
convened those involved in the higher education sector to map out its
interventions for schools affected by the disaster in a press conference on
Friday, February 18. They are yet to make a statement on this.
Colorado
said they will look into their linkages and networks to expand their response
and ensure that help will be given to all those affected in the sector, and
expressed that they are open to collaborating with former scholars who wish to
extend help.
“The network
is there, our government system is existing, our connections abroad, our alumni
students looking after their schools, they will respond,” said the CHED-Caraga
chief.
They are
also eyeing approaches “outside the box'' and will look into areas where they
may conduct advanced research to tackle various issues.
As for
students and their parents, Colorado commended the resilience they have shown
despite their situation. While solutions are still in the works, he appealed
for their patience.
“This is not
a one-time approach to the problem. We will take the root of the problem. We
have realized that one big shot help is not sufficient for these students to
graduate,” he said.
"It is
going to be a long battle. They need themselves to sacrifice and be patient,
and prepare themselves for a long haul," he added.
"We are
assuring them that we will do what we can.” (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
