DMMMSU, together with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), was able to repatriate five students from Vietnam to the Philippines amidst the COVID-19 lockdown.

The repatriates are BS Hospitality Management students of the College of Management in DMMMSU Mid La Union Campus who are on Exchange Status for international internship program at Hoa Sen University, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. They belong to the 5th batch of SEAMEO, under the SEA TVET Exchange Program—for a supposed three-month (90 days) internship program from February 14 to May 12, 2020.

Responding to the repatriation call from the host university in Ho Chi Minh, DMMMSU President Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, Jr. activated the institution’s Crisis Management Committee (CMC), and Dr. Joanne C. Rivera, Director of the Office of Internationalization and Linkages (OIL), immediately coordinated with the CHED’s International Affairs Staff (IAS).

CHED coordinated with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

OIL team facilitated the speedy return of the students who underwent the required immigration procedures at the airport, and are now staying at a temporary quarantine facility here in La Union for 14 days—in compliance with self-quarantine protocol—before returning to their respective residences.

Mr. Farland Valera, coordinator for Home-Based Education, established contact with the students’ parents and designated guardian; while Dr. Annellene Badua, coordinator for Cross-Border Education, worked on official documents— and coordinated with the DMMMSU Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) committee for local preparations.

Ms. Cristine Joy Ugay, University’s Immigration Liaison Officer, focused on the coordination of transport services; while Ms. Remedios Maja Tabudio, Open University System Registrar, facilitated the communications of Dr. Manuel to CHED, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

At present, the students under quarantine are constantly rationed with foods and other supplies. Dr. Rivera exercises direct supervision over the students’ quarantine situation.

The entire repatriation process was also monitored by Ms. Piyapa Su-angavatin, SEAMEO SEA TVET Program Coordinator, Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla, Director III of CHED IAS, Ms. Quynh But of HSU, and DOH.

Dr. Manuel, Jr. thanked CHED, DFA, DILG and the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) for pulling and mobilizing every resource possible to assist in the repatriation.

He also highlighted the efforts made by the University’s OIL team, led by its director Dr. Rivera.

“For others, this is building the plane while it is flying. The Office of Internationalization and Linkages was more than prepared to pilot this plane”, said the president.