Graduating dentistry students from the Centro Escolar University (CEU) will soon head back to physical classes after Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso approved the school’s plan to hold limited face-to-face classes.

“Wala tayong maa-achieve (We won’t be able to achieve anything) if we stagnate. We believe in those institutions who will ask the permission of the city to hold limited face-to-face classes,” Domagoso said on Tuesday.

CEU officials led by School of Dentistry dean Pearly Lim, CEU community dentistry head Felipe Wilfredo Espineli, and CEU security department head Nicanor Grino, presented their contingency plans for the holding of limited face-to-face classes to Domagoso, who gave the green light.

The CEU officials relayed to Domagoso that the graduation of their students have already been delayed for a year as students were not able to have their practicum or on-the-job (OJT) training due to imposed quarantine restrictions brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

CEU president Maria Cristina Padolina, through the department heads, said the application for the limited face-to-face classes will only be limited to their graduating students from their School of Dentistry.

Under the guidelines issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), educational institutions are encouraged to consult and get the approval of their respective local government units first before they submit their official application for a limited face-to-face class.

After the approval from the Manila City government, the CEU administration will now begin complying with the requirements mandated by CHED as well as the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

To lessen the worries of parents as well as the students themselves, Domagoso said CEU students and officials may avail of the city’s free swab tests.

“If you feel as if you need your students to be tested, the City of Manila is offering the free swab testing that we have to help. Huwag kayong mag-alala (Do not worry), you have the support of your city,” said Domagoso.

Amid the raging pandemic, Domagoso cited the country’s need for more medical and allied health course graduates.

He added that the city government as well as the educational institutions will not be able to go far if they allow themselves to be defeated by the fear of the pandemic and “stagnate”. (PNA)