ALEXANDER G.

POLDO

EdDELM 316 – Managerial Decision Making

Article Analysis (1)

CHED ADVISORY NO. 4

Guidelines for the Prevention, Control and Mitigation of the Spread of Coronavirus

Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

Decision making is something that is part of a leader’s routine, one of his or her

every day to do list. To decide over things is something similar to take a bath. You may

skip to have a shower and do it the next day but you have to endure the uncomfortable

feeling the entire day. Being at ease of not washing only means that you are used to it

or you don’t usually do it. Likewise, if you are not bothered with unsolved issues or

concern in your station, then probably you are not a leader at all. A leader has to

decide so that action will be taken. A decision is a conclusion about what we should do

(Sanfey and Chang, 2008).

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Advisory No. 4 dated March 14

2020 entitled “Guidelines for the Prevention, Control and Mitigation of the Spread of

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)” was a

response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines especially in

the National Capital Region (NCR). It was issued in adherence to the safety protocols

set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) and to

ensure safety and well-being of both students be it in the undergraduate or graduate

levels and the members of the faculty in HEIs. The CHED advisory contains the

following guidelines and its implications in terms of leadership of CHED and HEIs key

officials.

 Suspension of classes in Metro Manila until April 14, 2020

The directive primarily sets aside the academic needs not just because it is the

mandate of the Office of the President but it is only an affirmation that the safety of

students and teachers outweighs whatever academic goals and objectives of HEIs are

being upheld by them. The suspension however should have been extended to other

provinces or cities outside Manila so that students would have gone home immediately.

Some students were locked down in big cities like Davao and Cebu.

 Imposition of general and enhanced community quarantine in HEIs

respective jurisdictions

It is clear that the

 Cancelation of graduation ceremonies to comply with the restriction on

mass gatherings

 Adjustment in the semester, adoption of different delivery modes of

teaching, and provision of make-up classes

 Ensuring adherence to social distancing and precautionary measures

directed by the DOH

 Leniency on policies concerning student absences and student leaves

 Imposition of self-quarantine for students exposed to COVID-19

 Suspension of classes in the provinces