University of San Agustin - Iloilo

GENERAL LUNA STREET, ILOILO CITY, 5000

USASG OFFICERS
S.Y. 2019-2020
MARTIN R. ORTIZ
President
ERVIN GEDMAIRE S. CARO
Vice President - Internal
KAIRA CLAIRE C. ODUCADO
Vice President - External
ALIEJAH JOSEPH DE LOS REYES
Executive Secretary
OFFICE OF THE USA STUDENT GOVERNMENT
usasg@usa.edu.ph / local 356
March 31, 2020
REV. FR. FREDERICK C. COMENDADOR, OSA
University President
University of San Agustin – Iloilo
Dear Rev. Fr. Comendador:
Augustinian Greetings!
USASG POSITION PAPER DRAFT AS OF 4/3/2020 7:07 PM

JOSEPH ANGELO PABALINAS On March 10, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a
Deputy Executive Secretary pandemic. Since then, it has paralyzed economies and stupefied governments around
the globe. Mechanisms of lockdowns, enhanced community quarantines, and mass-
SENATORS testing are being employed by different governments to curb the potential devastating
outcome of this pandemic. With the Enhanced Community Quarantine in effect
JOSE ANGELO RENDON pursuant to Executive Order No. 55 of the City Government set to expire on April
CHAMP 14, 2020, our fellow students of this academic institution are in the state of
discombobulation on the next undertakings of our University.
MIKAILA ANGELA SARABIA
CHAMP
As the highest and official body representing the interests of the college students of
the University of San Agustin, the USA Student Government provided a platform to
ROBYN JOYCE C. YANSON
CHAMP
immediately hear and gather students’ sentiments in relation to this crisis. USASG will
elaborate such concerns and suggestions for actions in this position paper. For the
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purpose of data organization, we will classify such concerns and suggestions to the
CLASE following categories: Financial, Academic, Political, Logistics, and Health.

ADELMAR G. JAVIER JR. PART I - CONCERNS

CLASE A. FINANCIAL

EARON PHILIP D. VILLAMORA USASG recognizes the reality that not all students have the capacity to defray the
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expenses incurred by paying their tuition and miscellaneous fees considering that the
enhanced community quarantine has temporarily paralyzed economic affairs.
DARRYL FRANCISCO
Students raised sentiments concerning the mechanisms on how they can pay these
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fees as most work are halted for the duration of imposed preventive measures against
STACEY MARIE C. LOPERA
COVID-19. Our survey returned to us a fact that some of our fellow students are self-
COC supporting and have family matters to attend to. Students who have enough capacity
to defray such expenses leaned to the option of utilizing their financial resources to
CHRISTOPHER UY cater their basic and immediate needs amidst this crisis.
COC
USASG understands that the University has a policy of non-admission of
ALDWIN KENT BARBATON examinations if a student has not yet settled his or her balances prior the final
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KENNETH SEAN BARREDO

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FRANCES IZZABELLE OCTAVIANO

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 University of San Agustin - Iloilo
GENERAL LUNA STREET, ILOILO CITY, 5000
OFFICE OF THE USA STUDENT GOVERNMENT
USASG OFFICERS usasg@usa.edu.ph / local 356
S.Y. 2019-2020 examination. Students also claimed that their respective colleges or departments do
not administer examinations without the admission slip, which is only given to the
MARTIN R. ORTIZ student after settling his or her balances.
President
B. ACADEMIC
ERVIN GEDMAIRE S. CARO
Vice President - Internal ANNEX A of Memorandum No. 4, s.o. 2020 issued on March 14, 2020 and
Memorandum No. 6, s.o 2020 issued on March 26, 2020 by the University
KAIRA CLAIRE C. ODUCADO President, reminds that final examinations, qualifying examinations, and graduations
Vice President - External
will be rescheduled upon the lifting of the enhance community quarantine.
Memorandum No. 6, also encourages the students to take the time for their
ALIEJAH JOSEPH DE LOS REYES
Executive Secretary preparations for the final exams. Furthermore, Memorandum No. 6 also instructs the
academic personnel to refrain from conducting online academic activities as
JOSEPH ANGELO PABALINAS accessibility to such resources are limited. USASG received concerns from the
Deputy Executive Secretary students that professors are still conducting their academic activities online. Students
are still required to submit their activities online and on a specific deadline. A
SENATORS professor teaching Arts Appreciation is requiring a class to submit a 30 minute film to
serve as a requirement for their final term. Students are trying to connect to the said
JOSE ANGELO RENDON professor but to no avail. In our end, we view these acts as contrary to the
CHAMP Memorandum set hereunto.
MIKAILA ANGELA SARABIA On the issue of the resumption of classes should the enhanced community quarantine
CHAMP
be lifted on April 14, 2020, students manifested their concerns towards the schedule
of the final exams. A number of students responded that the exams shall be
ROBYN JOYCE C. YANSON
CHAMP
rescheduled to provide for a grace period to catch up and wrap up their coverage and
as well as the same time as to settle their outstanding balances. Students also
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contended that the said grace period will provide them an avenue to return to the
CLASE physical classroom and laboratories in order for them to fully grasp the concepts of
their lessons. A group of students raised concerns regarding accessibility to their
ADELMAR G. JAVIER JR. reference materials. It is also in this limelight that students in some academic
CLASE programs such as those in the Medical Laboratory Science and Interior Design have
to take their qualifying and evaluative exam this summer term. Affected students are
EARON PHILIP D. VILLAMORA eager to know the answer to the issue of whether or not these examinations are to be
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postponed or to be rescheduled.
DARRYL FRANCISCO
Students with pending researches to be submitted and those classified as graduating
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are also seeking for clarifications on how the University will attend to these matters.
STACEY MARIE C. LOPERA
COC C. POLITICAL

CHRISTOPHER UY For the purpose of this position paper, we define that political aspects would include
COC existing policies enacted by the Philippine Government, both in local and national
levels, current state of the nation on how responsive our agencies in curbing the
ALDWIN KENT BARBATON
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KENNETH SEAN BARREDO

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FRANCES IZZABELLE OCTAVIANO

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 University of San Agustin - Iloilo
GENERAL LUNA STREET, ILOILO CITY, 5000
OFFICE OF THE USA STUDENT GOVERNMENT
USASG OFFICERS usasg@usa.edu.ph / local 356
S.Y. 2019-2020 pandemic, and other relevant matters such as possibilities of an extension to the
enhanced community quarantine.
MARTIN R. ORTIZ
President In Iloilo City, an enhanced community quarantine was imposed by Mayor Jerry Trenas
last March 19, 2020. As a result, operations within the city including classes are
ERVIN GEDMAIRE S. CARO suspended until April 14, 2020. However, with April 14 nearing the visions of our
Vice President - Internal respective calendars, it will be expected that such operations will start again either
immediately or the following week thereafter. In this regard, our report says that our
KAIRA CLAIRE C. ODUCADO students, especially those who are residing outside the city, are incapacitated to
Vice President - External
return to school due to the fact that their respective municipalities and provinces have
a disparity of lockdown policies. Our survey reported to us that some students have
ALIEJAH JOSEPH DE LOS REYES
Executive Secretary enhanced community quarantine in effect until the end of the month or in one case,
indefinitely.
JOSEPH ANGELO PABALINAS
Deputy Executive Secretary In line of our National Government’s action, we can see that there is not a mention of
a concrete plan on how to resolve the crisis. Mass testing has been an issue that
SENATORS circulates in the country and such response to that is nowhere to be found despite the
strong recommendation of the World Health Organization to governments worldwide.
JOSE ANGELO RENDON
CHAMP A study and analysis likewise suggest that our Government may have to impose an
extension to the current enhanced community quarantine as a measure of prevention
MIKAILA ANGELA SARABIA and containment of the rapid spread of the virus.
CHAMP

D. LOGISTICS
ROBYN JOYCE C. YANSON
CHAMP
Among the effects of the enhanced community quarantine measures that are being
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imposed nationwide is the idea that our fellow students will be returning home to their
CLASE respective provinces or municipalities. Students who went home to their respective
provinces and municipalities for the duration of the lockdown resented concerns
ADELMAR G. JAVIER JR. regarding their means of transportation and safety. Students informed us that there
CLASE are existing transport bans within their municipalities that incapacitates them from
traveling to report to school. Our University is a very diverse community. We have
EARON PHILIP D. VILLAMORA students from all over the country and in cases, a considerable number from other
CLASE
countries. The fact that such diversity exists would mean that transportation is an
impediment to their return to resume academic activities they’ve left before the start of
DARRYL FRANCISCO
the enhanced community quarantine. In the event that transportation will be once
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allowed again by their respective local governments, they are still required to undergo
STACEY MARIE C. LOPERA
a 14-day quarantine period yet as another preventive measure against the virus.
COC Transportation means include land, water, and air means.

CHRISTOPHER UY
COC In recent developments, residents of localities with PUMs and PUIs are barred entry
as per Governor Defensor’s latest EO 100.
ALDWIN KENT BARBATON
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KENNETH SEAN BARREDO

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FRANCES IZZABELLE OCTAVIANO

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 University of San Agustin - Iloilo
GENERAL LUNA STREET, ILOILO CITY, 5000
OFFICE OF THE USA STUDENT GOVERNMENT
USASG OFFICERS usasg@usa.edu.ph / local 356
S.Y. 2019-2020 E. HEALTH

MARTIN R. ORTIZ
President
ERVIN GEDMAIRE S. CARO
Vice President - Internal
KAIRA CLAIRE C. ODUCADO
Vice President - External
ALIEJAH JOSEPH DE LOS REYES
Executive Secretary
JOSEPH ANGELO PABALINAS
Deputy Executive Secretary
SENATORS
COVID-19 is a public health issue and as such, the shift of Government’s policies
shall be directed to immediate and proactive actions. The asymptomatic nature of
COVID-19 is threatening especially since one can have the virus without having the
symptoms, yet transmitting the virus remains easy. As of this writing the number of
COVID-19 cases in the world is at (x number) with (y number) of recoveries, and (z
number) of deaths. In our country there are (x number) of cases with (y number of
recoveries), and (z number) of deaths. Studies suggest that these numbers are
expected to peak by June - July. In this context, USASG likewise reaffirms the
principle of prioritizing the public health of our students. Hence, as reported by our
survey, students are not confident that the environment will be sanitized and ready to
prevent the entry of COVID-19 in our academic institution. Furthermore, the
resumption of classes after the said quarantine period and no cure yet to the rising
number of COVID-19 cases will only risk the health of our fellow students.
Considering that our University boasts a 6,000+ population this academic year, our
risks of acquiring the virus is very high or inevitable.

JOSE ANGELO RENDON In relation to our diverse community in the University, a number of our students are
CHAMP categorized as persons under investigation (PUIs) and persons under monitoring
(PUMs).
MIKAILA ANGELA SARABIA
CHAMP
PART II - INQUIRIES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR COURSES OF ACTIONS
ROBYN JOYCE C. YANSON
CHAMP
Having presented the consolidated concerns of our students, USASG would also
extend its efforts to echo suggestions and provide the same.
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CLASE A. FINANCIAL

ADELMAR G. JAVIER JR. For financial matters such as the payment for tuition fees, qualifying or evaluative
CLASE examination fees, USASG lobbies the following suggestions:

EARON PHILIP D. VILLAMORA 1. For students who have outstanding balances but are not graduating and are not
CLASE
taking any qualifying or evaluative exams:
DARRYL FRANCISCO
The University should enact a grace period coupled with a payment scheme that will
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not burden the student. For example, the balance may be carried over to the next
STACEY MARIE C. LOPERA
semester as to provide the student ample time to cope up with such. However, if a
COC student that has an outstanding balance and has intentions to transfer Universities,
his or her documents shall only be released should he or she have finally settled the
CHRISTOPHER UY same.
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2. For students who have outstanding balances but are not graduating and are
ALDWIN KENT BARBATON taking any qualifying or evaluative exams:
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KENNETH SEAN BARREDO

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FRANCES IZZABELLE OCTAVIANO

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 University of San Agustin - Iloilo
GENERAL LUNA STREET, ILOILO CITY, 5000
OFFICE OF THE USA STUDENT GOVERNMENT
USASG OFFICERS usasg@usa.edu.ph / local 356
S.Y. 2019-2020
The University should enact a grace period coupled with a payment scheme that will
MARTIN R. ORTIZ not burden the student. For example, the balance may be carried over to the next
President semester as to provide the student ample time to cope up with such.

ERVIN GEDMAIRE S. CARO 3. For graduating students:

Vice President - Internal
The University should enact a grace period coupled with a payment scheme that will
KAIRA CLAIRE C. ODUCADO not burden the student. Documents such as transcript of records shall only be
Vice President - External
released should he or she has finally settled the same.
ALIEJAH JOSEPH DE LOS REYES
Executive Secretary 4. For students who are having their summer terms:

JOSEPH ANGELO PABALINAS The University should enact a grace period coupled with a payment scheme that will
Deputy Executive Secretary not burden the student. For example, the balance may be carried over to the next
semester as to provide the student ample time to cope up with such.
SENATORS
5. For students who have fully paid their respective balances:
JOSE ANGELO RENDON
CHAMP The University, if possible, may enact for a refund based on a percentage or carry
over the refunded balance the following semester.
MIKAILA ANGELA SARABIA
CHAMP
In a statement released by CHED last March 18, 2020, the said agency is appealing
to private universities to find considerate and compassionate methods of the
ROBYN JOYCE C. YANSON
CHAMP
collection of fees without undermining the prompt release of salaries of its personnel.

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B. ACADEMIC
CLASE
For academic related matters, USASG lobbies the following:
ADELMAR G. JAVIER JR.
CLASE 1. For the conduct of final examinations:

EARON PHILIP D. VILLAMORA The University shall enact a grace period of an optimal duration of at least ten (10)
CLASE
days to fourteen (14) days to allow the students to synthesize their lessons or catch
up with their coverage. Final exams shall also be given in a non-synchronized manner
DARRYL FRANCISCO
to allow the fast tracking of grades should the students are determined ready for their
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final examinations.
STACEY MARIE C. LOPERA
COC 2. For the postponement of final examinations:

CHRISTOPHER UY Students are urging the University for the cancellation of the final examinations due to
COC the presented reasons in the first part of this paper. In turn, the University shall
develop a justifiable and fair method of the computation of grades of the students.
ALDWIN KENT BARBATON
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KENNETH SEAN BARREDO

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FRANCES IZZABELLE OCTAVIANO

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 University of San Agustin - Iloilo
GENERAL LUNA STREET, ILOILO CITY, 5000
OFFICE OF THE USA STUDENT GOVERNMENT
USASG OFFICERS usasg@usa.edu.ph / local 356
S.Y. 2019-2020 QUESTION: What are the possible losses of the University should the final
examinations are postponed?
MARTIN R. ORTIZ
President 3. For other academic requirements:

ERVIN GEDMAIRE S. CARO
Vice President - Internal
KAIRA CLAIRE C. ODUCADO
Vice President - External
Other academic requirements such as research papers, internship reports, curricular
requirements are the concerns of our students that are required to submit the same.
USASG appeals to the University to either provide a grace period for the completion
of such or accept whatever the finished outputs as it is.

4. For the conduct of qualifying examinations and/or evaluative examinations:

ALIEJAH JOSEPH DE LOS REYES
Executive Secretary
Students who are to take the qualifying exams are suggesting that the University shall
JOSEPH ANGELO PABALINAS provide a grace period or even the rescheduling of these examinations to implement
Deputy Executive Secretary ample time to answer the questions on the examination fees, coverage, retention
guidelines, and other relevant concerns pertaining to the conduct of such.
SENATORS
5. For the contrary acts of academic personnel towards Memorandum No. 6:
JOSE ANGELO RENDON
CHAMP Students are suggesting that the University shall send a strong message to the
academic personnel to postpone all academic related activities done through online
MIKAILA ANGELA SARABIA means to the resumption of classes as determined by the Government and if the
CHAMP
suggestion for a grace period be considered.
ROBYN JOYCE C. YANSON
CHAMP
C. POLITICAL

JULIE GAQUIT
1. For any updates on policies and guidelines regarding responses to COVID-19
CLASE pandemic:

ADELMAR G. JAVIER JR. Students are urging the University to promptly release all pertinent information in a
CLASE clear and concise manner. USASG suggests that the University shall utilize the USA
email and disseminate complete copies of these guidelines aside from the traditional
EARON PHILIP D. VILLAMORA Facebook posts.
CLASE

D. LOGISTICS
DARRYL FRANCISCO
COC
1. For students that are non-residents of the Province or City:
STACEY MARIE C. LOPERA
COC Students are appealing to the University for the immediate release of any information
concerning classes so as to provide them ample preparation time to return to school.
CHRISTOPHER UY The USASG likewise appeals that the University shall provide grace periods to
COC harmonize any discrepancies brought by different travel restrictions of their respective
localities. In specific, students who are non-residents of Iloilo City are suggesting to
ALDWIN KENT BARBATON provide them a settling period from April 14-17, 2020.
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KENNETH SEAN BARREDO

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FRANCES IZZABELLE OCTAVIANO

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USASG OFFICERS
S.Y. 2019-2020
MARTIN R. ORTIZ
President
ERVIN GEDMAIRE S. CARO
Vice President - Internal
KAIRA CLAIRE C. ODUCADO
Vice President - External
ALIEJAH JOSEPH DE LOS REYES
Executive Secretary
JOSEPH ANGELO PABALINAS
Deputy Executive Secretary
University of San Agustin - Iloilo
GENERAL LUNA STREET, ILOILO CITY, 5000
OFFICE OF THE USA STUDENT GOVERNMENT
usasg@usa.edu.ph / local 356
E. HEALTH
1. For the sanitization of the University:
If the local government has finally lifted the quarantine period, the University is urged
to conduct sanitary measures such as the disinfection of the entire campus. The
University shall also employ prescribed health measures by the DOH as preventive
measures.
2. For students who are PUMs or PUIs:
The University is urged to provide considerations to their status by not forcing them to
return to school and giving them assurance that their academic performance shall not
be impugned by this incapacitation.

SENATORS
The USA Student Government extends its fervent gratitude to all the people behind
JOSE ANGELO RENDON the proactive responses of the University amidst this global crisis. The USA Student
CHAMP Government yearns that this position paper will be considered and will serve as an
important document for the Crisis Management Team of the University to formulate
MIKAILA ANGELA SARABIA an updated policy in relation to this crisis.
CHAMP

The USA Student Government truly commends the efforts of our University for its
ROBYN JOYCE C. YANSON
CHAMP
immediate and proactive responses towards the concerns of the students during the
early stages of the enhanced community quarantine. USASG also emphasizes the
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positive effects of the University’s efforts to maintain the wellbeing of its members in
CLASE spiritual and mental aspects. USASG also extends its appreciation to the efforts and
contribution of our academic community and partners in line with the efforts of our
ADELMAR G. JAVIER JR. City Government.
CLASE
Let us emerge victorious against this hostis humanis generis of the 21st Century. We
EARON PHILIP D. VILLAMORA will defeat COVID-19!
CLASE

In solidarity,
DARRYL FRANCISCO
COC

STACEY MARIE C. LOPERA

THE USA STUDENT GOVERNMENT
COC

CHRISTOPHER UY
COC References:

ALDWIN KENT BARBATON

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KENNETH SEAN BARREDO

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FRANCES IZZABELLE OCTAVIANO

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USASG OFFICERS
S.Y. 2019-2020
MARTIN R. ORTIZ
President
ERVIN GEDMAIRE S. CARO
Vice President - Internal
KAIRA CLAIRE C. ODUCADO
Vice President - External
ALIEJAH JOSEPH DE LOS REYES
Executive Secretary
University of San Agustin - Iloilo
GENERAL LUNA STREET, ILOILO CITY, 5000
OFFICE OF THE USA STUDENT GOVERNMENT
usasg@usa.edu.ph / local 356
1. E.O. 55 - Mayor Jerry Trenñas
2. E.O. 55A - Mayor Jerry Treñas
3. Memorandum No. 4 s.o 2020 - USA OTP
4. Memorandum No. 5 s.o 2020 - USA OTP
5. No Entry to Guimbal residents,
Prepared by:
ERVIN GEDMAIRE S. CARO
Vice President for Internal Affairs
USA Student Government

JOSEPH ANGELO PABALINAS

Deputy Executive Secretary

SENATORS

JOSE ANGELO RENDON

CHAMP

MIKAILA ANGELA SARABIA

CHAMP

ROBYN JOYCE C. YANSON

CHAMP

JULIE GAQUIT
CLASE

ADELMAR G. JAVIER JR.

CLASE

EARON PHILIP D. VILLAMORA

CLASE

DARRYL FRANCISCO
COC

STACEY MARIE C. LOPERA

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CHRISTOPHER UY
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ALDWIN KENT BARBATON

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KENNETH SEAN BARREDO

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FRANCES IZZABELLE OCTAVIANO

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