Travels in This Time of World Energy Crisis (HE Memo#Y4.18)

HE Memo#Y4.18
28 March 2026

This has been a week of memos! Apologies! But I trust in your patience in this Season of Lent!

In light of the current global energy crisis and escalating disruptions to air travel ^[1] and the reminder from the University President “to exercise prudence in the consumption of energy and financial resources in this period of uncertainty,” (Memo # U2526-079,18 Mar 2026), Higher Education is implementing temporary restrictions on international and domestic mobility across the Higher Education (HE) cluster. 

International and Domestic Mobility for HE Faculty and Staff

• Beginning 01 April 2026, the processing of new requests for permission to travel, whether international  or domestic, regardless of funding source, will be temporarily suspended until 31 May 2026.
  • Exemptions may be made for mission-critical travel, referring to those that may have a profound impact on our ability to pursue our academic mission and deliver results. 
  • In these instances, HE Deans / Sub-cluster AVPs are expected to closely review the special requests on a case-to-case basis, weighing each request on the merits and burdens of such travel. 
  • In such cases when travel is allowed, the following shall be submitted to the School Dean / Sub-cluster Head:
    • Signed Declaration and Undertaking ^[2] to recognize the current risks of travel,
    • Copies of travel-related documents, such as the passport bio-page, flight itinerary or e- ticket, and comprehensive travel insurance.
• Those whose permits to travel have been previously approved by the University are strongly encouraged  to consult their direct supervisor and come to a discerned decision about whether or not to proceed with  the travel.
  • In cases when travel is allowed, the following shall be submitted to the School Dean / Sub- cluster Head:
    • Signed Declaration and Undertaking, to recognize the current risks of travel,
    • Copies of travel-related documents, such as the passport bio-page, flight itinerary or  e-ticket, and comprehensive travel insurance.

International and Domestic Mobility for HE Students

• All University-related travel for HE students are likewise temporarily suspended from 01 April to 30  June 2026. ^[3] This includes:
  • Summer Term Abroad 2026-27: STA confirmation fees paid to ADMU will be refunded, upon coordination with the Office of the AVP for University Partnerships and Internationalization (OAVP-UPI).
  • Faculty-led mobility, whether credit-bearing or non-credit bearing
  • Other non-credit-bearing, non-curricular, international, off-campus activities, organized by the various Schools / Offices of HE.
  • Note: Guidance about the Junior Term Abroad program for 2026-2027, First Semester/Fall Semester, shall be announced before the end of May 2026.
• Students who have incurred significant expenses and who still wish to pursue study abroad, are strongly  urged to seek close guidance from their parents and come to a discerned decision about whether or not  to proceed with the mobility.
  • In cases where students and parents decide to proceed with the mobility, the standard pre-departure clearance process, including the revised Declaration and Undertaking ^[4], will continue to be required.
  • The Pre-departure Clearance Form can be accessed through your EduSuite portal.
  • For questions and concerns, please contact the OAVP-UPI via global@ateneo.edu and mobility.global@ateneo.edu .
• The OAVP-UPI will be informing University Partners of this suspension and will make an official request for them to extend every possible accommodation to Ateneo de Manila students, including (a)  extension of deadlines, in case the global crisis abates, and (b) refunding program fee payments made by  students.
• Pertinent HE offices are also requested to make the necessary adjustments (e.g., in individual programs  of study) in order to lessen or eliminate any adverse impact this suspension may have on concerned students’ progress toward degree completion.

At the end of the day…

These measures are adopted in the spirit of prudence, shared responsibility, and discernment, and will be reviewed as global conditions evolve. The HE cluster is committed to taking a position of continued vigilance and constant monitoring of our challenging global context. 

I wish us all a grace-filled Holy Week!

May Christ’s love roll over the rocks from our tombs of darkness and usher us into the Light of His Peace.