The Official Statement of the UPV University Student Council on the Recent Budget Cut for UP and the Whole Education Sector
11 September 2010
"We allocated Php23.4 billion to 112 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in 2011. This is 1.7% lower than the Php23.8 billion budget for 2010. We are gradually reducing the subsidy to SUCs to push them toward becoming self-sufficient and financially independent, given their ability to raise their income and to utilize for their programs and projects."
- President Benigno Aquino,
Statement on the Budget for 2011
This has been the biggest budget cut in the history of the University of the Philippines . From the Php18.5 B proposed budget by the UP Administration down to Php5.5 B. This is Php1.39 B short than the previous year's UP budget. The Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures (MOOE) is slashed by 52%. The Capital Outlay is reduced to an extreme ZERO.
It thus becomes evident that the promised change of the Aquino Administration has fallen into the ground as he continues the schemes of the past regimes.
The UPV University Student Council, mandated to defend and be at the forefront of the struggle for the rights and interests of each Iskolar ng Bayan, strongly opposes the Php1.39 B UP Budget Cut and the further commercialization and privatization of UP and the whole education sector.
We believe that education is a right, thus, it should be given affordable and accessible to all. It must be given the highest priority as stipulated in the Philippine Constitution. We believe that reducing the budget not only for UP but to the whole education sector is a manifestation of further commercialization of education. This would lead to more increases in the tuition and other exorbitant fees in the University. Despite the high cost of education in UP due to the increased tuition which deemed to answer the lack of facilities and budget, other fees were still collected. In UP Visayas for instance, implementation and collection of various fees have been rampant. In the May 27 Board of Regents (BOR) meeting, laboratory fee increases of over 600% on 7 Biology subjects and 2 statistics lab fees both in Cebu College and 5 laboratory fees in Miag-ao were approved by the BOR. In Tacloban College , laboratory fees on their Humanities subject have been collected despite the lack of laboratory. The struggle of the SOTECH students for additional laboratories and equipment particularly for the BS in Chemical Engineering majors has long been standing. Collection of PE Lab Fees, though it was recently deferred due to the lack of consultation to the students and opposition among the lines of the students and student councils, was never put into close by the Roman Administration. Truly, redundancy on fee collection is quiet apparent.
Further commercialization of education is always accompanied by intensified repression in the campus. The past administration has proven adept at this kind of manoeuvre. The 6 dreadful years of the so-called Roman empire had drastically diverted the public character of UP as a people's university through passing the 300% Tuition and Other Fees Increase (TOFI), more than 50 laboratory fees and increases system-wide, leasing of idle assets to private corporations for the sake of IGP, harassment of student leaders and organizations and worst, the ouster of the sole representative of the students in the BOR which is critical to their anti-student and anti-people policies – the Student Regent.
We believe that this step would only justify and aggravate the worsening condition of the Philippine Educational System – Colonial, Commercialized and Fascist – and this only confirms the state's abandonment to their responsibility to allocate a higher budget for education. Thus, we urge and challenge the UP Presidential nominees to take a vital position and action on the current crises inside and outside the university and uphold the public character of UP as the state's Premier University .
We likewise challenge the Aquino Administration to reverse the policies it makes that further lessen the budget for education. He must stand on his words during his campaign period that he will prioritize education among others and allocate 6% of the GDP to education as what the UNESCO recommended.
We are one with the other youth and students in the call to re-channel the budget spent for debt servicing, military and programs prone to corruption to the education sector. And in this light, we call on all the Iskolars ng Bayan to unite in the fight for greater budget for UP and the whole education sector.
History tells us that only through our collective action we can surpass and even trample down an administration that has been deaf in the calls of the students and of the people. It has been proven that our rights were never given to us for free. They were gained through the unwavering passion of the early Iskolars ng Bayan to uphold the institution's public character as well as to defend each student's rights and interests. Once again, let us link our arms together as time calls us to fight firmly for our just and legitimate struggle for education.
OPPOSE THE Php1.39 B BUDGET CUT FOR UP!
UPHOLD THE PUBLIC CHARACTER OF UP AS A PEOPLE'S UNIVERSITY!
EDUCATION IS A RIGHT!
NO TO COMMERCIALIZATION AND PRIVATIZATION OF EDUCATION!
NO TO STATE ABANDONMENT ON EDUCATION!
FIGHT FOR GREATER STATE SUBSIDY!
ISKOLAR NG BAYAN, TULOY PA RIN ANG LABAN!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Gawad Panitikang Pangkalusugan Winners Announced!!!
Health and literacy take the forefront in the first-ever Gawad Panitikang Pangkalusugan: A Nationwide Children’s Book Writing Competition created by the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority of the UP – College of Medicine.
In celebration of their Diamond Anniversary, this multi-awarded organization developed this pioneering contest which aims to produce top-notch children’s books focusing on health education.
With the desire to positively influence the health-seeking behaviors of the youth, and to tap the literary gifts of would-be writers nationwide, this competition was launched last December 2009 and concluded just this July 2010. With the theme Tabi-tabi po: Exploring Philippine Health Myths, the competition was met with enthusiasm and outstanding support – receiving a total of 144 entries from various regions of the country.
And now, the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority proudly presents its winners:
Brain/Behavior:
“MAKI’S COLORFUL WORLD” by Nikolai
Writer: Margaret P. Yarcia, 23/F, Diliman QC
MA Psychology, UP Diliman
“CROOKED” by Maria Colonia
Writer: Mary Gigi Constantino, 28/F, BLs Paranaque, Metro Manila
Software Engineer, Accenture
Fever/Infections:
“THE SPIRIT OF THE RAIN” by Oudein
Writer: John Anthony D. Tindoc, 24/M, Ermita, Manila
Medical Student, UPCM
Stomach:
“FIVE SECONDS ONLY” by Bunny Lyn
Writer: Hannah Lyn C. Creencia, 20/F, Cagayan de Oro City
B.A. Mass Communications, Silliman University
Nutrition:
“THE UNTOLD STORY OF SUPER BOY” by Bayang Magiliw
Writer: Benjamin R. Mangubat, 55/M, Makati City
Professor, UP Manila
Congratulations to all the winners!
Thank you to all the supporters of the Gawad Panitikang Pangkalusugan!
Visit www.gawadpanitikan. com
Monday, June 14, 2010
GMA’s egoistic Independence Day parade underscores lack of budget for education
National Union of Students of the Philippines
National Office Office of the Student Regent, Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman, QC Telephone 9818500 loc. 4511 or 4512
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2010
GMA’s egoistic Independence Day parade underscores lack of budget for education
The National Union of Students of the Philippines held a protest to reprove President Arroyo’s P10 million legacy parade despite poor state spending on the deepening crisis on education.
“It’s a foolish splurge for Mrs. Arroyo’s Independence Day caprices considering that there are massive shortages of school essentials, like classrooms, teachers, textbooks, et al. If there is one thing the government ought to fund, it’s our deteriorating education. To expend people’s money for a parade of lies is intolerable. ” said Bugsy Nolasco, NUSP Executive Vice President.
“Under Arroyo’s administration, state abandonment on education reached its peak. Currently, the government spends P6.85 for every basic education student a day. In State Universities and Colleges, budget cuts totaled P 3.194 billion, which resulted to almost 2 million out-of-school youth in the country,” he added.
From the data of ACT Teachers Partylist for the incoming school year 2010-2011, there will be a shortage of 54,060 teachers, 4,538 principals, and 6,473 headteachers; 61,343 classrooms, 816,291 seats, and 113,051 water and sanitation facilities.
Nolasco furthered that the P10M can build 15 to 20 classrooms or 27 water & sanitation facilities or purchase 226,500 textbooks or make 9,954 seats or hire 67 additional teachers or even send 1,800 out of school youth to high school.
On the other hand, NUSP NCR Chair Marie Torregoza said that even in the remaining days of Arroyo in power, the latter never failed to use public funds for herself. She added that the egoistic parade will never change people’s demand for her immediate prosecution and incarceration.
“For nine excruciating years, we were told of unfounded accomplishments of Arroyo. But truth be told Filipinos want her to be punished for her crimes immediately.” she added. ###
National Office Office of the Student Regent, Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman, QC Telephone 9818500 loc. 4511 or 4512
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2010
GMA’s egoistic Independence Day parade underscores lack of budget for education
The National Union of Students of the Philippines held a protest to reprove President Arroyo’s P10 million legacy parade despite poor state spending on the deepening crisis on education.
“It’s a foolish splurge for Mrs. Arroyo’s Independence Day caprices considering that there are massive shortages of school essentials, like classrooms, teachers, textbooks, et al. If there is one thing the government ought to fund, it’s our deteriorating education. To expend people’s money for a parade of lies is intolerable. ” said Bugsy Nolasco, NUSP Executive Vice President.
“Under Arroyo’s administration, state abandonment on education reached its peak. Currently, the government spends P6.85 for every basic education student a day. In State Universities and Colleges, budget cuts totaled P 3.194 billion, which resulted to almost 2 million out-of-school youth in the country,” he added.
From the data of ACT Teachers Partylist for the incoming school year 2010-2011, there will be a shortage of 54,060 teachers, 4,538 principals, and 6,473 headteachers; 61,343 classrooms, 816,291 seats, and 113,051 water and sanitation facilities.
Nolasco furthered that the P10M can build 15 to 20 classrooms or 27 water & sanitation facilities or purchase 226,500 textbooks or make 9,954 seats or hire 67 additional teachers or even send 1,800 out of school youth to high school.
On the other hand, NUSP NCR Chair Marie Torregoza said that even in the remaining days of Arroyo in power, the latter never failed to use public funds for herself. She added that the egoistic parade will never change people’s demand for her immediate prosecution and incarceration.
“For nine excruciating years, we were told of unfounded accomplishments of Arroyo. But truth be told Filipinos want her to be punished for her crimes immediately.” she added. ###
Youth Artists Decry Demolition of Rizal’s Second Home
January 10, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS:
Reference: Marish Viola
Media Liason <09061907038>
Youth Artists Decry Demolition of Rizal’s Second Home
UgnaYAN, a network of youth artists, joins the people of Binan in their calls to stop the imminent demolition of the Alberto House, the 200-year old ancestral home of Teodora Alonzo, Jose Rizal’s mother, and challenges the upcoming Noynoy administration to defend our national heritage.
“The love of the people to its country is reflected on how they value their culture and how they would respect the inheritances of their history,” said EJ Mijares, spokesperson of UgnaYAN. “The Alberto house is not only an invaluable treasure to the people of Binan and Laguna, but an historical and architectural treasure that survived since 1765 to the nation as well.”
Recently, the lone heir of the Alberto family found that he could no longer maintain and repair Jose Rizal’s second home, which suffered from government neglect and deterioration. After hearing no response to his call for help from the local government, he was compelled to sell the house that lead up to its attempted demolition. Reports stated that about 20 percent of the house has already been torn down before the Binan authorities acted upon it.
“We believe that the Alberto house needs to be guarded not just with crossed fingers but with a vigilance that such an historical and culturally significant artifact deserves,” Mijares declares, “It is evident that the government’s attention to the preservation of our culture is lacking and we enjoin the president-elect to provide programs that care for our heritage and thus develops national culture.”
Recently, artists in support of the preservation of the Alberto house demonstrated their unity in a night of cultural performances of songs, poetry and the like in the town plaza of Binan.
“The deterioration of the Filipino culture can be directly attributed to the existing attitude of our responsible institutions. This is an issue of our sense of nationhood, and our willingness to promote a culture and society that is relevant to its people,” Mijares concluded. ###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS:
Reference: Marish Viola
Media Liason <09061907038>
Youth Artists Decry Demolition of Rizal’s Second Home
UgnaYAN, a network of youth artists, joins the people of Binan in their calls to stop the imminent demolition of the Alberto House, the 200-year old ancestral home of Teodora Alonzo, Jose Rizal’s mother, and challenges the upcoming Noynoy administration to defend our national heritage.
“The love of the people to its country is reflected on how they value their culture and how they would respect the inheritances of their history,” said EJ Mijares, spokesperson of UgnaYAN. “The Alberto house is not only an invaluable treasure to the people of Binan and Laguna, but an historical and architectural treasure that survived since 1765 to the nation as well.”
Recently, the lone heir of the Alberto family found that he could no longer maintain and repair Jose Rizal’s second home, which suffered from government neglect and deterioration. After hearing no response to his call for help from the local government, he was compelled to sell the house that lead up to its attempted demolition. Reports stated that about 20 percent of the house has already been torn down before the Binan authorities acted upon it.
“We believe that the Alberto house needs to be guarded not just with crossed fingers but with a vigilance that such an historical and culturally significant artifact deserves,” Mijares declares, “It is evident that the government’s attention to the preservation of our culture is lacking and we enjoin the president-elect to provide programs that care for our heritage and thus develops national culture.”
Recently, artists in support of the preservation of the Alberto house demonstrated their unity in a night of cultural performances of songs, poetry and the like in the town plaza of Binan.
“The deterioration of the Filipino culture can be directly attributed to the existing attitude of our responsible institutions. This is an issue of our sense of nationhood, and our willingness to promote a culture and society that is relevant to its people,” Mijares concluded. ###
Monday, May 31, 2010
VolunteeRUN
Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Manila - The Official Volunteer Service Arm of the University of the Philippines is inviting you to help us in raising funds for all our programs.
We will be having an activity entitled: "VolunteeRun Part 2: Tara Na! Takbo Na Ulit!" on June 27, 2010 at the CCP Complex. Further details on the attached copy of our invitation, mechanics and map.
Should there be any question/s, please feel free to contact us at 526-6950 to 51 and look for Ms. Beng or Ms. Abba.
Together let us make a difference.
Mechanics:
Who Can Join
1. The race is open to all runners, male and female.
2. The race is divided into the following categories:
A. 3K open to Street Children (partner institution of Pahinungód)
B. 3K open to Parent & Child (12 yrs. Old below) Tandem
C. 5K open to Men and Women - individual runners
D. 10K open to Men and Women - individual runners
E. 21K open to Men and Women - individual runners
3. Participating minors should submit a written consent from a parent or guardian.
RACE PROPER
1. Assembly/ check in shall be from 4:30 a.m to 5:30 a.m., CCP Open Grounds (near Home Depot/ Jollibee Macapagal Avenue Branch).
2. The start/ finish area for the race will be at the CCP Open Grounds.
3. All runners for the:
3K category shall make 1 lapse from the starting line then will turn right to Atang Dela Rama St., Vicente Sotto St., Jalandoni St. and the back to the CCP Open Grounds.
5K category shall make 1 lapse from the starting line then will make a left turn to GSIS/ Senate then make a U-turn going to Atang De Rama St., Vicente Sotto St., Jalandoni St and then back to the CCP Open Grounds.
10K category shall make 2 lapses from the starting line then will make a left turn to GSIS/ Senate then make a U-turn going to Atang Dela Rama St., Vicente Sotto St., Jalandoni St and then back to the CCP Open Grounds.
21K category shall make 7 lapses from the starting line then will turn right to Atang Dela Rama St., Vicente Sotto St., Jalandoni St. and then back to the CCP Open Grounds.
4. All runners should get a color-coded band for each round-about or laps he/ she finishes.
PRIZES AT STAKE
1. The top three (3) finishers for each category shall be declared the winners. * 3K category winners must be parent-child tandem. Winners shall receive medals with an additional cash prize. All finishers will receive a certificate of completion.
2. Special Awards awaits the following:
- Oldest Runner
- Youngest Runner
- Biggest Delegation
3. The names of the winners shall be placed in the official newsletter of Ugnayan ng Pahinungód to be published in the 3rd quarter of 2010.
4. The decision of the organizers are final.
We will be having an activity entitled: "VolunteeRun Part 2: Tara Na! Takbo Na Ulit!" on June 27, 2010 at the CCP Complex. Further details on the attached copy of our invitation, mechanics and map.
Should there be any question/s, please feel free to contact us at 526-6950 to 51 and look for Ms. Beng or Ms. Abba.
Together let us make a difference.
Mechanics:
Who Can Join
1. The race is open to all runners, male and female.
2. The race is divided into the following categories:
A. 3K open to Street Children (partner institution of Pahinungód)
B. 3K open to Parent & Child (12 yrs. Old below) Tandem
C. 5K open to Men and Women - individual runners
D. 10K open to Men and Women - individual runners
E. 21K open to Men and Women - individual runners
3. Participating minors should submit a written consent from a parent or guardian.
RACE PROPER
1. Assembly/ check in shall be from 4:30 a.m to 5:30 a.m., CCP Open Grounds (near Home Depot/ Jollibee Macapagal Avenue Branch).
2. The start/ finish area for the race will be at the CCP Open Grounds.
3. All runners for the:
3K category shall make 1 lapse from the starting line then will turn right to Atang Dela Rama St., Vicente Sotto St., Jalandoni St. and the back to the CCP Open Grounds.
5K category shall make 1 lapse from the starting line then will make a left turn to GSIS/ Senate then make a U-turn going to Atang De Rama St., Vicente Sotto St., Jalandoni St and then back to the CCP Open Grounds.
10K category shall make 2 lapses from the starting line then will make a left turn to GSIS/ Senate then make a U-turn going to Atang Dela Rama St., Vicente Sotto St., Jalandoni St and then back to the CCP Open Grounds.
21K category shall make 7 lapses from the starting line then will turn right to Atang Dela Rama St., Vicente Sotto St., Jalandoni St. and then back to the CCP Open Grounds.
4. All runners should get a color-coded band for each round-about or laps he/ she finishes.
PRIZES AT STAKE
1. The top three (3) finishers for each category shall be declared the winners. * 3K category winners must be parent-child tandem. Winners shall receive medals with an additional cash prize. All finishers will receive a certificate of completion.
2. Special Awards awaits the following:
- Oldest Runner
- Youngest Runner
- Biggest Delegation
3. The names of the winners shall be placed in the official newsletter of Ugnayan ng Pahinungód to be published in the 3rd quarter of 2010.
4. The decision of the organizers are final.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Call for participants of FY2010 Empowerment Seminar for Women Leaders in the Asia Pacific Region
Dear friends and colleagues,
Please be informed that National Women's Education Center of
Japan (NWEC) is now calling for participants of FY2010 Empowerment
Seminar for Women Leaders in the Asia Pacific Region.
This year's seminar will focus on
"Development of Women Leaders: Implications from Japanese Experience".
Government officials, NGO members and academe who are striving for
women's empowerment in the Asia Pacific region are welcome to
apply. Detailed application guideline and application forms are
available on our website. Application deadline is
June 14 (Mon.), 2010, 24:00PM, Japan Time.
http://www.nwec.jp/en/information/page14.html
Please note that some revisions have been made with regard to the
qualification of the applicatns (i.e. age limit = 35 years) and
assignments submitted to us.
We would appreciate it if you could circulate this information
within your network and encourage qualified applicants to consider the
application.
Should you have any queries on this seminar, please do not hesitate to
forward your questions to rese2@nwec.jp.
Please be informed that National Women's Education Center of
Japan (NWEC) is now calling for participants of FY2010 Empowerment
Seminar for Women Leaders in the Asia Pacific Region.
This year's seminar will focus on
"Development of Women Leaders: Implications from Japanese Experience".
Government officials, NGO members and academe who are striving for
women's empowerment in the Asia Pacific region are welcome to
apply. Detailed application guideline and application forms are
available on our website. Application deadline is
June 14 (Mon.), 2010, 24:00PM, Japan Time.
http://www.nwec.jp/en/information/page14.html
Please note that some revisions have been made with regard to the
qualification of the applicatns (i.e. age limit = 35 years) and
assignments submitted to us.
We would appreciate it if you could circulate this information
within your network and encourage qualified applicants to consider the
application.
Should you have any queries on this seminar, please do not hesitate to
forward your questions to rese2@nwec.jp.
NUSP, Kabataan launch “Balik-eskwela” hotline, pressure CHED to pass tuition hike freeze
May 24, 2010
NUSP, Kabataan launch “Balik-eskwela” hotline, pressure CHED to pass tuition hike freeze
The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) and the Kabataan Partylist today launched “Balik-eskwela” hotline to gather complaints from parents and students regarding school violations on tuition and other fees consultation.
According to earlier statements from CHED, the 339 schools it has approved to increase may be sliced down should CHED be able to determine the schools which did not consult with parents and students.
Einstein Recedes, NUSP national president, took CHED to task for “its apparent softness towards the schools it approved when most did not in fact do any form of democratic consultation. As early as March 2010, we have notified CHED of various school violations on tuition consultations. Up to now, CHED has not released the list of approved schools with increases as if the list were some obscene secret that should be kept away from the public eye.”
“We launch the ‘Balik-eswela’ hotline to reach out to parents and students from all over the country and to collect reports about school violations. We now have an initial list of schools which violated the tuition consultation policy and we fear more will add to our list.”
Recedes likewise urged high school students and their parents to report any violations to NUSP and Kabataan’s ‘Balik-eswela’ hotline. This is in line with DepEd’s “no collection of fee” policy.
Recedes reiterated that “the tuition hike freeze remains the resounding demand of parents and students. CHED allows the yearly increase of tuition and other fees to the detriment of millions of students forced to drop out. Based on UNESCO’s study in 2008, 73% of the youth were forced to drop out due to the unattainable price of education in our country. This number continues to rise given that CHED has not done anything to improve the state of Philippine education.”
“The rotten education system leaves us with no choice but to counter it with militancy. The youth are prepared to do militant actions in order make CHED fulfill the people’s demand for quality and accessible education,” he said.
Reference:
Einstein Recedes, NUSP national president, 0915-646-91- 77
‘Balik-eskwela’ hotlines: 352-10-54, 0922-824-07- 40, 0915-646-91- 77
NUSP, Kabataan launch “Balik-eskwela” hotline, pressure CHED to pass tuition hike freeze
The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) and the Kabataan Partylist today launched “Balik-eskwela” hotline to gather complaints from parents and students regarding school violations on tuition and other fees consultation.
According to earlier statements from CHED, the 339 schools it has approved to increase may be sliced down should CHED be able to determine the schools which did not consult with parents and students.
Einstein Recedes, NUSP national president, took CHED to task for “its apparent softness towards the schools it approved when most did not in fact do any form of democratic consultation. As early as March 2010, we have notified CHED of various school violations on tuition consultations. Up to now, CHED has not released the list of approved schools with increases as if the list were some obscene secret that should be kept away from the public eye.”
“We launch the ‘Balik-eswela’ hotline to reach out to parents and students from all over the country and to collect reports about school violations. We now have an initial list of schools which violated the tuition consultation policy and we fear more will add to our list.”
Recedes likewise urged high school students and their parents to report any violations to NUSP and Kabataan’s ‘Balik-eswela’ hotline. This is in line with DepEd’s “no collection of fee” policy.
Recedes reiterated that “the tuition hike freeze remains the resounding demand of parents and students. CHED allows the yearly increase of tuition and other fees to the detriment of millions of students forced to drop out. Based on UNESCO’s study in 2008, 73% of the youth were forced to drop out due to the unattainable price of education in our country. This number continues to rise given that CHED has not done anything to improve the state of Philippine education.”
“The rotten education system leaves us with no choice but to counter it with militancy. The youth are prepared to do militant actions in order make CHED fulfill the people’s demand for quality and accessible education,” he said.
Reference:
Einstein Recedes, NUSP national president, 0915-646-91- 77
‘Balik-eskwela’ hotlines: 352-10-54, 0922-824-07- 40, 0915-646-91- 77
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