The NCF College of Health Sciences took the lead among Bicol HEIS in applying for the opening of limited face-to-face classes in its nursing, medical technology and midwifery programs. Fully supported by the NCF President, Taskforce Flex50 and academic, administrative and finance officials and personnel, Dr. Stanley Dy, CHS dean, with his faculty and staff, carefully prepared for the inspection, following the guidelines in Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-001 (JMC) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Health (DOH).

On March 3, 2021, the inspection team composed of Dr. Ma. Teresa de Alban and Dr. Ma. Pamela Vinas of CHEDROV, and Dr. Vito Borja of the City Health Office, LGU Naga, thoroughly looked into the preparedness of the laboratories, classrooms, communal areas, library, isolation room, comfort rooms, stairways and corridors, entry and exit gates and foot traffic. In an exit dialogue in the afternoon, the inspection team declared that all areas inspected were compliant with the JMC criteria. Finally, on March 22, 2021, CHEDROV awarded NCF the Certificate of Authority to Reopen Campus for Conduct of Limited Face-to-Face Classes. Because NCF’s base hospital has not released its specific guidelines and protocols, the Authority is limited to skills laboratory activities in the NCF campus. As soon as the guidelines are available, they should be submitted to CHEDROV.

As announced by Dr. Dy, CHS students 20 years old and above shall undergo final briefing by year level via Google meet starting March 24, 2021. Limited F2F classes start April 5, 2021.