CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
MEDICAL STUDENT COUNCIL
College of Medicine Student Center, Cagayan State University – Carig Campus,
Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

26 April 2020

MA. MAGNOLIA B. REYES, MD, MPA, FPSD, FIAMS, FPAMS

Dean, College of Medicine
Cagayan State University – Carig Campus

RODINA R. GOROSPE, MD, MPH

Associate Dean for Academics, College of Medicine
Cagayan State University – Carig Campus

Dear Doctors Reyes and Gorospe;

Greetings of peace!

The Medical Student Council (MSC), the representative student government of the Cagayan State
University - College of Medicine, conducted a survey to its constituents from April 23 to 25, 2020 in order
to determine their current situation amidst this COVID-19 pandemic. This was done as the MSC upholds
its objectives and principles of ensuring that the students’ voice are heard and their rights and welfare are
honored.

The survey covered all the students including the 4th years who were currently pulled out of clinical
rotations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The questions focused on their current location, their
suggestions and concerns on their suspended clinical rotations, and the school activities after ECQ
including the revalida. The survey also includes mental health status of the students.

The MSC holds onto the importance of understanding the current situation of its constituents, thus, the
subsequent survey results presented should be diligently considered. The road towards their aspiration
of being doctors is not the only factor at stake during this time of uncertainty, but also their safety and
well-being.

As the extended community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon nears its end on April 30, and with the impending
general community quarantine thereafter, the MSC, together with the whole CSU-COM studentry, hope
that their concerns will be considered by the university and college administration in coming up with a
definite plan that will lead to quality medical education amidst this public health concern while ensuring
the safety and well-being of everyone.

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 CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
MEDICAL STUDENT COUNCIL
College of Medicine Student Center, Cagayan State University – Carig Campus,
Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

SURVEY RESULTS (4TH YEARS/CLERKS)

1: STRANDED STUDENTS & STUDENTS OUTSIDE REGION 2

Stranded Students
4th years (113 respondents)

At My Hometown
6 5

Stranded in
Tuguegarao
41 61 Stranded in Metro
Manila
Others

Figure 1 Among the 113 respondents from 4th year students, 61 students
are in their hometown. 47 students (Tuguegarao & Manila) were not able
to go home and stay with their families rather they are stranded in their
boarding houses.

Table 1. 4th YEAR STUDENTS CURRENTLY OUTSIDE OF REGION 2

LA UNION MOUNTAIN PROV KALINGA
2 students 1 student 3 students
BAGUIO CITY/BENGUET ZAMBALES BULACAN
2 students 1 student 1 student
LAGUNA CAVITE METRO MANILA
1 student 1 student 6 students
*RED BOX = COVID-19 HIGH RISK AREAS

2: EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF PARENTS/GUARDIANS

EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF PARENTS/GUARDIANS

4TH YEARS (113 RESPONDENTS)

60 51
50
40
30 20
20 15
6 9 10 9
10
0
Business
Business
Working owner, With
No work, No work, owner,
from non- work, with Others
no pay with pay operation
Home operation pay
al
al
Status 51 20 15 6 9 10 9

Figure 2.1 On the issue of employment status of parents/guardians of CSU-COM 4th year students, 51 students responded with no work, no pay
which means that their families struggle during the Enhanced Community Quarantine. Among the respondents, 15 have parents/guardians
working from home, 20 are no work, with pay. 15 students responded to have families who own business. However, only 6 responded to be
operational while 9 are non-operational or is closed during ECQ. Families belonging to front line services such as medical practitioners are still
working and receiving pays during the ECQ to which 10 responded to have families belonging to such.

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 CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
MEDICAL STUDENT COUNCIL
College of Medicine Student Center, Cagayan State University – Carig Campus,
Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

3: EFFECTS OF THE ECQ/PANDEMIC ON STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH

EFFECTS OF ECQ/COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON Students with problem/s related to the

STUDENTS' MENTAL HEALTH ECQ/the pandemic that is/are affecting their
4TH YEARS (113 RESPONDENTS) learning?
40 (4th years) 113 respondents
35
35
30 26 25 With problems
25 affecting
20 17 learning
42, 37%
15 10
10 Without
5 71, 63%
problems
0 affecting
1 (NOT 2 3 4 5 (GREATLY learning
AFFECTED) AFFECTED)

Figure 3.1 The effects of this pandemic greatly affects the students’ daily lives. 76% Figure 3.2 63% of 4th years and are not able to focus during
of the 4th year students are moderately to greatly mentally affected by this the ECQ/COVID-19 due of different factors.
pandemic.

4: STAND AND CONCERNS ON THE CONTINUATION OF CLINICAL ROTATIONS

Stand on the Continuation of Clinical Rotations after the ECQ

4th years (128 respondents)
No, End Clinical Rotations - 49

7, 5%

11, 9%
Yes, but on the condition thatCOVID-19
no longer poses athreat to our health -
37
49, 38%
No, let us have online lectures inplace of
24, 19% the Clinical Rotations - 24

Yes, after the lifting of the ECQ(May 1) -

11

37, 29% Yes, but later than May 1 - 7

Figure 4.1 38% of the 4TH years are in favor of ending the Clinical rotations. While 29% expressed their desire to continue on the
condition that COVID-19 no longer poses a threat to their Health. 19% wants to have online lectures instead.

CONCERNS RE CONTINUATION OF CLINICAL ROTATIONS

4TH YEARS (128 RESPONDENTS)

140 125
120
100
80
53 52
60
40
20 2 1
0
Going back to
Travel going to
Safety Tuguegarao City Others None
CVMC/Hospital
after the ECQ
Concerns 125 53 52 2 1

Figure 4.2 98% of the 4th years are concerned for their safety if Clinical Rotations will be resumed after the ECQ

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 CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
MEDICAL STUDENT COUNCIL
College of Medicine Student Center, Cagayan State University – Carig Campus,
Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

5: STAND AND CONCERNS ON THE CONTINUATION OF REVALIDA

Stand on the Continuation of Revalida

4th years (128 respondents)
4, 3% 1, 1% No. Proceed to Graduation andPGIship
(Mass Promotion) - 110
6, 5%
7, 5%
Yes, but on the condition thatCOVID-19
no longer poses athreat to our health - 7

Yes, but let us take it Online - 6

Yes - 4
110, 86%

Abstain - 1

Figure 5.1 86% of the 4th years are in favor of mass promotion.

CONCERNS RE CONTINUATION OF REVALIDA

4TH YEARS (128 RESPONDENTS)
114
120
100
80
55 51
60
40
20 5
0
Going back to
Safety Travel going to School Tuguegarao City after Others
the ECQ
Concerns 114 55 51 5

Figure 5.2 89% of the 4th years are concerned for their safety if the Revalida will be conducted after the ECQ

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 CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
MEDICAL STUDENT COUNCIL
College of Medicine Student Center, Cagayan State University – Carig Campus,
Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

RECOMMENDATION
We believe that every student’s concern should be taken into consideration. Thus, the MSC sees that the
result of the survey among the 4th years to be for the best interest of everyone. We support our seniors
in whatever their recommendations are concerning their physical, emotional and mental well-being.

With regard to this, we would like to request the administration to conduct a dialogue with our clerks.
This is to provide an avenue where they can raise their concerns and recommendations. This is crucial as
the decision of the administration will pose significant consequences on them.

CSU-COM Medical Student Council

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 CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
MEDICAL STUDENT COUNCIL
College of Medicine Student Center, Cagayan State University – Carig Campus,
Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

ATTACHMENT 1: COMPILATION OF COMMENTS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM SOME

STUDENTS

1. “End the semester, allow the students to graduate. Let's not risk the students' health. They have a role to fulfill
in the near future as doctors.”
2. “If we will still be unable to resume the clerkship due to the increasing cases of Covid-19, and if ever there will
still be cases in CVMC. I suggest that we will be deployed in our respective community, for us to fullfil our duties.
For example, I am from Tuguegarao City, I will be in duty under the City Health Office of Tuguegarao City. If I am
from Santiago City, Isabela, I will be under the CHO of Santiago City, Isabela.”
3. “If revalida can be waived that would be great if not moved to a later date other than june to prepare mentally
but also financially as of now we dont have any source of income. My mom is a single parent whose only source
of income is to tutor elementy student which is affected due to ecq. And also if we can have a module to help
as on revalida that would be great God bless and thank you”
4. “Please provide a way and time Returning back to tuguegarao thanks.”
5. "Comment: I've travelled back to cagayan because the admin said that our clerkship will be continued to CVMC
by april 1 and they only gave us a choice whether to file LOA or report on duty on april 1 so as not to delay our
graduation and revalida. Now that ECQ has been extended till april 30 and is planned to be lifted on may. I hope
the admin have plan with regards to our clerkship. Not just plan a but plan b, plan c and other plans as well in
cases that clerkship cannot still be continued in CVMC or if COVID still do not die down and without assurance
that people in tugue are covid negative, para di madelay ang graduation or promotion of clerks.
if walang plan na magawa that will properly cater all the different situations of the clerks and that will ensure
the safety of everyone, it is best to end the rotation and the semester and let all graduate. 2 1/2 months na lang
naman natira sa clerkship so I guess PGIship na lang bawiin yung lost months. Better not to delay the graduation
since we badly need workforce in this time of war pero without sacrificing the needed preparedness to war
(meaning quality rin din dapat) :)”
6. “I hope that the admin will plan the best solution bearing in mind the best interest of students of all levels
without compromising the safetiness of of the clerks as well as the people they will encounter and also keeping
in mind the motto of CSU, AD OPTIMUM EDUCANS "educating for the best" and not solely considering the time
table just to meet the deadline. It is always the quality not the quantity, since this is a critical field wherein we
could be of help to our fellowmen and of the nation. Please prepare us to have the heart of service, quality skills,
and knows what and why we are doing things just like a real frontliner should be. I thank you in advance.”
7. “Please reconsider those who are stranded in their hometowns who do not have private vehicles to go to
tuguegarao/CVMC. Many towns are very strict still in ECQ.”
8. “I hope the school and hospital protect the students during this pandemic. It can be by means of a healthier and
fairer scheduling and provision of ppe. We accept our responsibilities as student doctors, but we demand that
we be protected as well.”
9. "1. If they ever decide to put us back into hospitals, how can the admin ensure our safety?
2. Should we contract the disease while on duty, will the admin shoulder all the expenses? "
10. "The welfare of the clerks must be the Admins priority. We are humbly asking the admin consider safety of the
whole studentry and community. Please end clinical rotations even after the ECQ is lifted as we are going
through uncertain times. The severity of this uncertain turn of events due to the pandemic pose a great amount
of risk to the students if rotations are continued right after the lockdown. One main problem is the mode of
transport as to how to get to hospitals as quarantine passes are required upon checkpoints. Some students are
stranded in their home provinces and in Metro Manila and there is no way to get to Tuguegarao City due to
suspended public transportation and non issuance of the provincial government of travel passes. Also, most
clerks are going through mental stress and anxities as well as depression with the ongoing pandemic. The lack
of PPEs in the hospital also may contribute to possibilities of contracting the COVID-19 disease. We do not want
this to happen to any of our clerks.”
11. “Please consider that we are still in crisis. Some towns are still on strict quarantine until May 30. And not all of
us have private vehicles to go to tuguegarao or cvmc.”
12. “Do what is right in accordance to APMC , and the government laws .”
13. “We have to take our board exams in India after we return from here so kindly facilitate our graduation at most
earliest possible in order to not get delayed in our preparation for our board exam there. Also on behalf of Indian
students it is my humble request to reanalyse the fact that since we will have to take our board exams in India
so it would be justified on our part if we are excused from revalida, as for the Filipinos they dont have any board
exams other than revalida so they can go to PGIship directly.”
14. “I appreciate this survey. I feel like we are not left behind. I hope you consider all the factor regarding the
continuation of clerkship, but please prioritize our safety. God bless us all”
15. “End the semester, allow the students to graduate. Safeguard our health. We will do our part in saving the
community when we all become doctors in the future.”
16. “Due to several factors mentioned above most especially safety and financial problem due to to ECQ. My family
and I decided not to continue clerkship and if possible revalida. If mass promotion is an option that would be a

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 CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
MEDICAL STUDENT COUNCIL
College of Medicine Student Center, Cagayan State University – Carig Campus,
Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

great help. I as a medical student will continue my hunger for learning thru other means such as reading book,
journals and online courses available.”
17. “I think the students's safety and health is much more important than anything. Mass promotion is the safest
way to continue the semester. Passing the revalida and all doesn't guarantee that we will become licensed
doctors immediately as there are those who passed it but never passed the PLE. Just like the NMAT, having a
low score does not mean you'll not do good in medschool. I'm okay with mass promotion even with the 1st-3rd
years. Let's all do our best in the next chapter of our med life!”
18. “Even though the quarantine if lifted in cagayan, the students who are coming from the extended quarantine
region will still should undergo the 14 days quarantine in tuguegarao before they take exam or go to hospital,
which will create again the problem and mismatch for those students.”
19. “There are students for whom they dont have public transport to travel from manila,baguio, and other extended
quarantine places.”
20. “As much as I want to learn through hospital exposure, safety should still be the priority knowing that there's
limited hospital resources including PPEs.”
21. “We all know csu school of medecine is a strict school. But in this pandemic situation, i hope the school will b
lenient to tje students and also have yo understand the fear and depression going tru graduating students all
over the country. We also have foreign students who are far away from their parents locked down here during
this time. We should give them the chance to ho back asap and see their loved ones . I hope u will consider🙏🏻”
22. “Please let us not continue our hospital clerkship even after ECQ, because we are not the priority of the hospitals
in times of need. We can all stay safe at home while having online classes and not be future carriers.”

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