MEMO TO: | The Loyola Schools Community |
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| FROM : | Ma. Assunta C. Cuyegkeng |
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| Vice President |
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| SUBJECT: | Updated Guidelines Regarding Precautions against the Influenza A (H1N1) virus |
Due to the confirmed H1N1cases in the Ateneo de Manila High School, university officials met with the Department of Health to find out proper measures for the campus. Some important points raised in the meeting with Dr. Eric Tayag of DOH on 9 June 2009 were the following:
1. We will have stronger guidelines regarding precautionary measures.
2. The Loyola Schools, High School, and Grade School are viewed as separate campuses; thus, we have been cleared to proceed with classes for LS and GS on Monday.
3. The DOH-prescribed suspension is directed only at holding of classes; offices continue their operations.
4. The DOH is shifting its focus from containment to mitigation. Thus, the ten-day class suspension measure to be done only once per school and the focus will be on detection and treatment.
In view of these, I would like to reiterate the following guidelines:
1. Any member of the Loyola Schools community (including students and faculty under exchange programs) who have visited/arrived from foreign travel should undergo voluntary self-quarantine and monitor themselves for possible signs and symptoms of the disease for the next ten (10) days after arrival. Students who fail to observe self-quarantine or who give wrong travel information on AISIS or to any Loyola Schools personnel may be charged with offenses leading to a disciplinary case. Students are likewise held responsible for misrepresentation of relatives regarding the student’s travel information.
2. Students have been asked to give their travel information to AISIS. They will be excused from their classes up to ten calendar days after arrival in the Philippines. Resident students from the University Dormitory, Cervini Hall, and Eliazo Hall should check in only after the self-quarantine period. Upon their return from self-quarantine, students must show proof of arrival to the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Failure to do will mean penalties for late registration and cuts for absences.
3. Faculty, administrators, and staff are asked to inform their respective departments and offices of their travel arrangements and show proof of arrival to their respective heads.
4. Any member of the LS community who develops flu or flu-like symptoms (cough, sore throat, high fever, vomiting, body malaise) should wear a mask properly and observe proper cough etiquette and precautionary measures recommended by the WHO (see attachment).
5. Any member of the LS community who develops flu or flu-like symptoms and has a history of travel, had contact with persons who travelled, or had contact with persons with confirmed H1N1 virus should stay home, call a doctor, get tested, and immediately report the case to the Office of Health Services (426-6001 loc 5110). Upon return to the Loyola Schools, please present a medical certificate to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (for students) or to the Office of the Vice President for the Loyola Schools (for LS personnel).
6. It is strongly advised to practice “social distancing” during this period, especially those who have been exposed to travelers or carriers of the virus, i.e., avoiding physical contact, one-meter distance for office transactions.
Please remember that the virus can be transmitted through “exposure to droplets from the cough and sneeze of the infected person”. Thus, the responsibility of preventing virus transmission falls on the persons who may have been exposed to the virus as a result of their visit to countries with confirmed cases of H1N1 or contact with persons who may have been exposed to or infected by the virus. Although these precautionary measures may cause inconvenience, it is important to observe them in the interest of the community’s wellbeing.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.
House Resolution No. 1109 Salient Points:
A RESOLUTION CALLING UPON THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO CONVENE FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING PROPOSALS TO AMEND OR REVISE THE CONSTITUTION, UPON A VOTE OF THREE-FOURTHS OF ALL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
1. Convening the members of congress in order to amend or revise the 1987 constitution being used by the country today
a. It is provided that the Members of Congress have the constitutionally ordained powers to amend or revise the constitution given the exercise of their constituent power as recognized in Article XVII, section 1 of the Constitution.
2. The method to which this provision is enacted upon came from distinction evoked from the constitutional change that occurred in the 1935, 1973, and 1987 constitutions.
a. Evident difference with the 1935 and 1987 Constitutions have led this house resolution to be so. Changes that are of crucial value are:
i. The deletion of the phrase “in joint session assembled” as found in the 1935 constitution
ii. The deletion of the phrase, “all members of the Senate and of the House of Representatives voting separately” as found in the 1935 constitution, there by obscuring the distinction as to which institution of Congress a representative is part of when it comes to the voting requiring three-fourths of all the members
b. Proposals to amend or revise the 1987 constitution can only be provided only when there is already a call to convene the Members of Congress.
i. The proponents of this resolution then pledged that any form of change may be presented at the appropriate times given that other constitutional issues involving the construction and interpretation of the 1987 Constitution is conducted by the Honorable Supreme Court.
ii. Controversies that may be related to this resolution may be resolved with finality that:
1. The terms of office of the incumbent President and Vice-President, as well as the Senators, Congressmen, Governors, Mayors, and other elected officials whose term of office shall expire in 2010 shall not be extended;
2. The terms of office of the twelve (12) senators whose term shall expire in 2013 shall not be shortened;
3. That there shall be elections in 2010.
3. The economic provisions making the Philippines an internationally competitive country attracting foreign investments and technology transfers is also mentioned, but can only be presented and acted upon when there is already a convention to amend or revise the constitution and will be made operational through the application of Article XVII of the present Constitution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS BE CONVENED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO, OR REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION UPON A VOTE OF THREE-FOURTHS OF ALL ITS MEMBERS AND THAT UPON ITS BEING CONVENED SHALL ADOPT ITS RULES OF PROCEDURES THAT SHALL GOVERN ITS PROCEEDINGS
Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral's Stand:
Last Tuesday, June 2, 2009, the Philippine House of Representatives passed House Resolution 1109 which calls for the convening of Congress into a Constitutional Assembly. The decision, voted by means of acclimation, was reached after four (4) hours of interpolation and to much debate by both Administration and Opposition congressmen.
House Resolution 1109 provides the House of Representatives with powers to amend or revise the 1987 Constitution given their right to exercise their constituent power as stipulated in Article XVII, Section 1 of the said constitution. The method adopted in the writing of this resolution was enacted upon with respect to the changes in the 1935, 1973, and 1987 constitutions. This resolution then entails the Members of the Congress (i.e. the Senators and Congressmen) to vote jointly – not separately – on any amendment or revision to be made with the 1987 Constitution.
In matters of constitutional issues involving the construction and interpretation of the 1987 Constitution, it is the Honorable Supreme Court that shall decide on all affairs.H.R. 1109 has provisions for the prohibition of the extension of terms of the incumbent President and Vice-President, as well as the Senators, Congressmen, Governors, Mayors, and other elected officials whose term of office shall expire in 2010, the office of the twelve (12) senators whose term shall expire in 2013 shall not be shortened, and that there shall be elections in 2010.
The Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral, as an institution founded on the principle of Democracy – with its values of participation, responsible representation, and forwarding national interest, stands firm in positing that H.R. 1109:
1. has clearly not been, and is still not at the best interest of the Filipino people at the moment
2. has not undergone the proper process of consultation by seemingly railroading the resolution into approval without proper regard for objection and queries from various individuals and groups.
3. is seemingly and potentially a product of dubious intention by powers that have significant influence in Congress
The Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral, as an institution founded on the principle of National Dignity and Social Justice, firmly believes that H.R. 1109 is a mere distraction to more pressing legislative matters such as the pending Student Rights and Welfare Bill, efforts to protect our economy from the effects of the global recession and other legislative agenda championing the interests of the poor and marginalized in society.
The Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral questions the timing at which the members of the House have chosen to push for this arguably unconstitutional first step in attempting to amend the constitution. The realities of the upcoming elections include the logistical difficulties of preparing for a plebiscite in case amendments are forwarded by an assembly and the suspicions over the real motive behind this effort.
The Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral, is an institution that partakes in the endeavors of the youth, which it sees as the primary stakeholder of the nation. The implications of H.R. 1109 are clearly not in line with the interests of the youth today. The Sanggunian firmly supports the desire of the youth to exercise its democratic right to vote in the 2010 national elections.
Therefore, the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral stands firmly against moves to amend the constitution via a Constituent Assembly. It believes that NOW is NOT the time to amend the constitution.
The Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral, as an institution that represents, integrates, and provides services to the student body calls on the student body to
Sincerely,
Gregorio Ramon A. Tingson
President
Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila
STATEMENT OF SANGGUNIAN NG MGA MAG-AARAL PRESIDENT GIO TINGSONCONDEMNING THE ATROCIOUS MURDER OF SUMILAO FARMER, PARA-LEGAL, AND LEADER RENATO “KA RENE” PEÑAS
For more than a decade, the Ateneo community has been in the foreground of the movements for Agrarian reform, particularly the case of the farmers from Sumilao, Bukidnon. Even with the immense opposition to this cause, the Sumilao farmers, after reacquiring their land, continue to march on with the landless. Unfortunately, the struggle has taken its toll on its advocates. With this in mind, I convey my unwavering support for the Sumilao Farmers and the thousands of landless farmers of our country. It is in this light that I unequivocally and strongly condemn the murder of Ka Rene Peñas.
At around 11pm yesterday, June 5, 2009, Ka Rene, accompanied by two other persons, was gunned down using a shotgun. He sustained three gunshot wounds in his chest and eight all over his arms. This action cannot be justified in any manner.
I remember Ka Rene as a man who inspired many Ateneans. As an embodiment of leadership, Ka Rene was a pillar of strength, courage, and integrity not only to his fellow Sumilao farmers but also for all Filipinos. For my fellow students who welcomed our brothers and sisters from Sumilao, you remember him as the strong-willed leader who held the boom mic, rousing his fellow farmers in all their endeavors. He was a mouthpiece of the landless’ plight for justice as you met them in Cubao, as you were marching with them from street to street, and as you welcomed them in Gate 2. I remember the masses you celebrated and the mattresses dormers shared for their stay in Cervini. I remember Ka Rene, moving class-to-class from Belarmine to CTC, together with OSCI formators, and when he spoke of freedom, justice, and equality in the Colayco Pavilion and the Belarmine field. He was one with us when 42 of you went through a 24-hour hunger act. For the Atenean, he was a man-for-and-with-others.
In response, I appeal to the proper authorities for swift and unprejudiced action in order to shed light to this brutal execution.
As of writing of this statement, around eight of our farmers are still stranded in Metro Manila because they fought for the passage of CARPER. They are still in need of financial means for transportation back to Sumilao, Bukidnon. If you are interested to help, the cost is around 8 thousand Pesos per head. You may deposit through the KAISAHAN BPI Kalayaan branch account. Account number is 0123-4001-86.
Let us be one with Ka Rene, his family, the Sumilao farmers, and friends in prayer. There will be a mass in his honor on Monday, June 8, 4:30pm, at the College Chapel.
The murder of Ka Rene is a dastardly attempt to divide the millions of voices that call for social justice, freedom, and democracy. Let the life of Ka Rene be the binding inspiration that unites our spirits of courage, determination, and hope in this moment of despair.
We cannot be intimidated by this cowardly act.
Gregorio Ramon A Tingson
President
Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila
