Cebu Normal University
THE OFFICE FOR INTERNATIONALIZATION & GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
Announcements College of Arts & Sciences

CNU conducts Mental Health Week 2019

November 12, 2019 • Information and FM Station Unit

The Department of Psychology under the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) held a mental health awareness campaign that took place last November 5 to 8, 2019.

Dr. Eva Marie Gacasan (left), Chair of the Department of Psychology and Mr. Reynaldo Inocian (right), Research Institute Director-Innovative Instructional Delivery cuts the ribbon to officially open the interactive gallery exhibit on mental health awareness and suicide prevention assisted by John Ronnel Priolo (center), Psychology student. / Photo by Mechelle Canoy

This event targeted students of the University at different levels. The celebration consisted of several activities beginning with a short program at the Eva Macapagal Memorial Arts (EMMA) Center and ribbon cutting of an interactive gallery exhibit on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, prepared by Psychology major students, at the Integrated Laboratory School (ILS) Centennial Stage.

A seminar participated in by college students immediately followed at the EMMA Center in which some of the information imparted by Mr. Kevin Remedio, a University of San Carlos (USC) Psychology professor were about facts and myths about mental health.

Integrated Laboratory School (ILS) students play educational games as part of the ILS wellness program facilitated by the Psychology students. / Photo by John Paul Fajardo

The succeeding days saw various activities including the ILS wellness program designed for elementary and junior high school students that included educational games and activities about dealing with school stress. Similarly, a college stress management training was conducted by Mr. Martin Sentina, a Psychology faculty member of the University.

A number of the Psychology students who participated in the Wacky Day wearing their costumes. / Photo by John Paul Fajardo

There was also a Zumba session and a Wacky Day in which Psychology students wore costumes that depict how it is to be different. Separate seminars were also organized by Ms. Chery Bercede for students in the College of Teacher Education (CTE), and College of Nursing (CN).

In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that globally, more than 300 million people across ages suffer from depression. Every year, around 800,000 people die of suicide, making it the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds.

Dr. Eva Marie Gacasan, Chair of the Department of Psychology, delivers her Welcome Remarks reminding Psychology students to take care of themselves first before helping others who are experiencing mental health problems. / Photo by Mechelle Canoy

Dr. Eva Marie Gacasan, Chair of the Department of Psychology, said that the event aims to promote mental health awareness to students, in particular to develop resilience among students and to create a more nurturing and caring environment in the University.

“The reality is we are all vulnerable to life’s stresses and at several points in our lives, our mental health and psychological being may be affected, therefore the only thing that we can ever do is to develop resilience particularly among children and youth – to equip them with the right tools so that they can effectively cope,” she said as a message to the students.

“Mental health is everyone’s business. It is our business and if we can reach out to others, we might just be able to help save lives,” she said encouraging those experiencing mental health problems to be open in seeking help and approach teachers, guidance counselors, and friends in times of need.    

She also said that psychology majors, being in the helping profession, are expected to help those who are experiencing mental health problems, but reminded the students about self-care first before they can even care or help others.

Jona Mae Alfante, Bachelor of Science (BS) Psychology 2 student, said that she is happy that the Mental Health Week organized by the department for the University, for the first time.

The opening of the Mental Health Week 2019 coincidentally was the day when the results of October 2019 Psychometrician Licensure Exam (PLE) was released.

Daryl Abrinica, I-Mind Psychology Society President announced the CNU BS Psychology graduates who made it to the top ten of the recent PLE namely, Shelter Anne Hernando who landed in the 4th place, and Jamaika Lyze Lumacang who secured the 9th spot.

He motivated his co-majors to strive further to reach the 100 percent passing percentage.

“Let’s do our best, let’s aim for our dreams, let’s reach our goals,” he said.

Mrs. Bernadette Bigcas, Ms. Jennifer Jane Descallar, and Mr. James Louies Un were in the organizing committee.

Prizes were given to winners of best gallery exhibit with the financial assistance of Mr. Emmanuel Hernani. (EPG, JDF, & KRR)

Cebu Normal University
PRIVACY POLICY

Policy Statement

This Privacy Policy is adopted in compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173), its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and other relevant issuances of the National Privacy Commission (NPC). The University is committed to protecting and respecting your personal data privacy. We process personal information in accordance with the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality. This Policy informs how we collect, use, disclose, store, protect, and dispose personal information of our data subjects.

Definitions

Personal information refers to any information, whether recorded in a material form or not, from which the identity of an individual is apparent or can be reasonably and directly ascertained by the entity holding the information or when put together with other information that would directly and certainly identify an individual.

Sensitive information is a type of personal information with the risk of discrimination against the Data Subject. These are about an identifiable person’s racial or ethnic origin, marital status, color, and religious, philosophical, or political affiliations. It is also, about an individual’s health, education, the genetic or sexual life of person, or any proceeding for any offense committed or alleged to have been committed by such person, the disposal of such proceedings, or the sentence of any court in such proceedings; Issued by government agencies peculiar to an individual which includes, but not limited to, social security numbers, previous or current health records, licenses or its denials, suspension or revocation, and tax returns; and specifically established by an executive order or an act of Congress to be kept classified.

Privileged information refers to any and all forms of data which under the Rules of Court and other pertinent laws constitute privileged communication.

Information We Collect

The University may collect personal information in the context of its regular functions — including but not limited to the following categories:

  1. Students: contact and enrollment details, academic records, health or medical records, accommodation records, student-activity participation, and related data.
  2. Staff and job applicants: contact details, employment history, qualifications, employee-related data.
  3. Alumni profiling: contact and demographic details.
  4. Visitors, volunteers, and other stakeholders: information collected through sign-in forms, CCTV or security monitoring, photos or recordings during official events, surveys, and feedback forms.

Collection may occur by any medium, including: paper forms, electronic forms, email, website or online platforms, CCTV or video/photographic capture, surveys/questionnaires, and other lawful means.

Purposes and Uses of the Data Collected and Processed

Personal information collected may be used for:

  1. Administration of admission, enrollment, employment, alumni relations, and other official functions.
  2. Maintenance of student and employee records, including academic, health, and administrative data.
  3. Provision of University services such as counseling, scholarship administration, placement, library access, facilities use, laboratory access, security, parking, and accommodation.
  4. Internal research, quality assurance, performance monitoring, and institutional planning.
  5. Compliance with statutory obligations (e.g. reporting to government agencies when required).
  6. Security, safety, and campus management, including CCTV monitoring.

Legal Basis / Lawful Criteria for Processing

All processing of personal data is carried out in accordance with the legality, fairness, and lawfulness requirements under the Data Privacy Act and IRR.
Where applicable, processing is grounded on consent, contract, legal obligation, legitimate interest, or other lawful bases recognized under the law. The choice of lawful basis depends on the nature of data, the purpose of processing, and legal or contractual requirements.

Manner of Collection and Processing

Personal data may be collected through physical forms (paper-based), electronic forms, online or web-based platforms (e.g., registration portals, email, institutional website), CCTV or video/photo capture (for security or surveillance), event sign-in sheets or registration forms, surveys or questionnaires, or other legitimate and lawful means.

Processing may include collection, recording, sorting, storing, retrieval, use, updating, modification, blocking, destruction or other operations as allowed under the law, consistent with declared purposes.

Disclosure of Information

The University does not disclose personal information except under the following circumstances:

  1. Internal disclosure within authorized University personnel, only when necessary and appropriate for legitimate institutional purposes.
  2. External disclosure only when required or permitted by law (e.g. statutory obligations), or when the data subject has provided valid consent.
  3. Sensitive personal information or privileged information is processed and disclosed only in accordance with relevant legal provisions.

Risks, Safeguards and Security Measures

The University recognizes that processing of personal data entails certain privacy and security risks. Accordingly, we implement appropriate organizational, technical, and physical security safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal data — whether in electronic or physical form. Such measures include (but are not limited to):

  1. Access controls (both digital and physical) to restrict access only to authorized personnel
  2. Use of secure storage: locked filing cabinets or secure rooms for physical records; password-protected systems, encryption, secure servers, firewalls for electronic data
  3. Secure transmission of data (when shared or transferred), secure printing and disposal protocols, and safe deletion or destruction of data when no longer needed
  4. Classification of data and periodic review of security protocols, to ensure adequacy in light of the risks presented and sensitivity of the data processed

Rights of Data Subjects

Under the Data Privacy Act and its IRR, data subjects have the following rights:

  1. Right to be informed — you have the right to know whether personal information about you will be, is being, or has been processed; the purposes of processing; the personal data to be entered; and the scope and method of processing.
  2. Right to access, correct, or update your data — you may request access to your personal information, ask for rectification of inaccuracies, or request updates.
  3. Right to object or withdraw consent — when processing is based on consent or legitimate interest, you may withdraw consent or object, subject to legal limits.
  4. Right to data portability — where applicable, you may obtain a copy of your personal data in a secure and portable format for transfer to another controller.
  5. Right to erasure or blocking — if personal data is incomplete, outdated, unlawfully obtained or processed, no longer necessary, or processing is unauthorized, you may request erasure or blocking, subject to legitimate grounds for retention (e.g. legal obligations or defense of legal claims).
  6. Right to damages — you may seek indemnification for damages resulting from inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, unlawfully obtained or unauthorized use of your personal data.
  7. Right to lodge a complaint with the NPC if you believe your data privacy rights have been violated.

Requests for access, rectification, objection, portability, erasure or complaints may be submitted in writing to the University’s designated Data Protection Officer (DPO) or Data Privacy Office.

Security, Retention, and Disposal

The University implements appropriate organizational, technical, and physical security measures to safeguard personal data — whether in paper or electronic form — against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Such measures include: secure storage (locked filing cabinets or rooms), restricted access to authorized personnel only, use of locked screens/screensavers, secure transmission (sealed envelopes or secure electronic transmission), secure printing and disposal of documents, and safe deletion or destruction of data when no longer needed.

Personal data will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the declared and legitimate purposes, or as required for legal obligations or defense of legal claims. When no longer needed, personal data will be disposed of securely in accordance with University policy and relevant data-protection guidelines.

Consent, Notice, and Legitimate Processing

Where required by law, consent will be obtained from data subjects prior to collection or processing of their personal or sensitive data. In other cases (e.g. CCTV monitoring, legitimate interest), the University will inform data subjects through appropriate notice mechanisms before or at the time of data collection. Privacy notice(s) will accompany data-collection forms or be posted in conspicuous campus areas, and on the University website. At all times, data processing is based on legitimate purpose and proportional to the need.

Data Subject Access and Contact

To exercise your rights or if you have any inquiry, concern, or request regarding your personal data, please contact:

Omar B. Roma

Data Protection Officer
Email: dpo@cnu.edu.ph
Phone: 09422041421

Changes to This Policy

The University reserves the right to update or amend this Privacy Policy as necessary to reflect changes in applicable laws, regulations, regulatory guidance, or its internal data-processing practices. Updated versions will be posted on the University’s official website and, where appropriate, communicated to data subjects.