THE COMMISSION on Higher Education and Department of Health inspected the facilities and assessed the readiness of Silliman University’s health sciences programs earlier this week in a bid to resume limited face-to-face classes.

Dr. Jogi Rivamonte, education supervisor II and CHED 7 coordinator on health-related profession programs, led the group that also included CHED and DOH inspectors as they visited the university’s College of Nursing, Medical School, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, and Institute of Rehabilitative Sciences.

“CHED and DOH inspected the facilities to be used for limited face-to-face classes to ensure that they have been retrofitted according to the health and safety protocols stated in the CHED-DOH Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2021-001,” said the school.

“The retrofitted facilities now include safety barriers, traffic signages, signages about health and safety protocols, and rearranged rooms for physical distancing, among others,” it added.

Dr. Earl Jude Paul Cleope, Silliman University vice president for academic affairs, said the faculty members worked hard to design the facilities.

Cleope said the university already informed its students and parents of the requirements and the expectations of face-to-face classes.

“The paramount motivation is to allow the students to have hands-on experience to equip them for their respective professions,” Cleope said.

He added each program received specific recommendations after the inspection.

“The more substantial are the signages and specifications for the footpaths and washing area. There is also a recommendation for improvements in the faculty lounge and other minor things. I hope, overall, we will be allowed to reopen to a limited F2F once we can comply,” he said.