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Students seek gov't-funded health insurance for in-person classes

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Arra Perez, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Students eat inside a dining hall at the Far Eastern University in Manila on February 23, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/03/21/20220223-covid-face-to-face-classes-feu-nursing-gc-5766.jpg"/><figcaption>Students eat inside a dining hall at the Far Eastern University in Manila on February 23, 2022. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — A student group on Monday urged the government to allot funds for the health insurance of learners and teachers, particularly those who will attend in-person classes, as schools gradually reopen amid the continued COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) President Jandeil Roperos said not all students can afford health insurance, a requirement for those who wish to attend limited face-to-face classes.</p><p>&quot;Kaya ang panawagan namin sa gobyerno, mag-allot ng budget for medical health [insurance] ng students and education stakeholders,&quot; Roperos said in a press conference.</p><p>(That&#x27;s why we call on the government to allot a budget for the medical health of students and education stakeholders.)</p><p>The government recently allowed colleges and universities under COVID-19 Alert Level 1 to hold in-person classes at full capacity.</p><p>Under the guidelines, however, only fully vaccinated students with health insurance can go back to their campuses.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/11/22/full-classroom-capacity-okd-for-colleges-universities-under-alert-1">Gov&#x27;t OKs full capacity for college, university in-person classes under Alert Level 1</a></li></ul><p>Students aged 21 and above can enroll under state health insurer PhilHealth as indigent members as they do not have any &quot;visible means of income,&quot; a Palace official earlier said. </p><p>Those under 21 years old may register as dependents of their parents, the official added.</p><p>In the briefing, Roperos said some higher education institutions make their students sign waivers stating they would not pay for medical expenses should the learner catch COVID-19 while attending in-person classes.</p><p>She also renewed calls for government to provide &quot;free and regular antigen testing, comprehensive tracing and treatment, and health facilities&quot; instead of requiring students to get vaccinated before attending physical classes.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/14/22/group-rejects-vax-requirement-in-college-in-person-classes">Student group rejects vaccination requirement in college in-person classes</a></li></ul><p>Meanwhile, Philippine Medical Students&#x27; Association Chairperson Clark Trovela said most HEIs are implementing hybrid learning.</p><p>&quot;May compromise pa rin talaga when it comes to learning pero understood naman kasi nga ito iyong situation natin,&quot; he said of the scheme that blends remote learning and limited in-person classes.</p><p>(Really, there&#x27;s still a compromise when it comes to learning but it&#x27;s understood because of our situation.)</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/23/21/ched-flexible-learning-norm-colleges-universities">&#x27;No going back&#x27;: CHED adopts flexible learning as norm</a></li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1950761" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

The NUSP called on the government to provide health insurance for students and teachers, especially those attending in-person classes.

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Students seek gov't-funded health insurance for in-person classes

Arra Perez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 21, 2022 02:15 PM PHT

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Updated Mar 21, 2022 02:40 PM PHT

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education

higher education

PhilHealth

health insurance

NUSP

face-to-face classes

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