Crisis on food and education not isolated

The University Student Council (USC) of the University of the Philippines (UP) today held a press conference and forum at Vinzons Hall, the university’s main student union building, regarding the rice crisis the country is currently facing. Together with representatives from residents of the UP’s residential communities and transport groups in campus and a representative from the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), the student council demanded that the government take immediate, sustainable and pro-people solutions to the crisis.

According to its statement, the student council demanded that the government “increase its support to the National Food Authority (NFA) in its procurement of palay, dismantle the rice cartels and impose a crack down on illegal acts of price manipulation, implement a moratorium on the land-use conversion of agricultural land, and increase its investment in the agricultural sector.”

USC Councilor Fahima Tajar, chairperson of the student council’s People’s Struggle Committee, said that the meager budget and subsidy of the government for the agriculture sector is not dissimilar from the meager budget allocation of the government for its state colleges and universities such as the University of the Philippines, which pushes and forces such institutions to raise tuition and other such fees. In the USC’s statement, it claims that, “the increasing inaccessibility of our basic staple and of education has made the lives of many Filipino youths and their families harder and the opportunity to make their lives better difficult to reach.”

The student council related the crisis in basic commodities and social services to the failure in leadership under the administration of President Gloria Arroyo. The student council’s statement added that, “if such demands and solutions to the rice crisis are not met immediately, it is only imperative for the youth and the rest of the Filipino people to continue the people’s urgent call for the removal of Gloria Arroyo from office.” #

Varsity Bus Update #1

Last year, the UP Pep Squad together with the CHK Community launched a fund-raising event entitled “Push on UP!” for the benefit of the Varsity Bus repair. The effort managed to net a profit of roughly
P 300,000, an amount which has been stored in the CHK Trust Fund since mid last year.

The administration responds to allegations of corruption regarding the matter as completely untrue, stating the fact that the existence of the money is verifiable through the records of the College. Dean Hercules Callanta also states that the money can be taken out only if both the UP chancellor’s and his own signatures are affixed in the release form.

The delay in repairing the bus has been caused by these factors:

1.) The funds were placed in the CHK Trust Fund
- The original plan of Dean Hercules Callanta was to have the funds remain liquid so that the repair will be expedited. However, due to security reasons, Chancellor Sergio Cao issued an official order to have the funds placed in the CHK Trust Fund. The resulting deposit makes taking out the money much more time-consuming. The Dean assures that the money is untouched, and can only be used to fund the repair of the Varsity Bus. The money is unauthorized to be used for any purpose, and administrative failure to comply will result in legal sanctions.

2.) P 300,000 is not enough for the Bus repair.
- The cost of repairing the bus to it’s original healthy state is estimated to be around P500,000. These figures were gotten from Pilipinas Hino Inc. (the brand of the Varsity bus)

3.) Various other delays and constraints in finding resources
- Since P 300,000 is a relatively small sum, finding a legitimate and reliable repair shop/person is proving to be difficult for the administration. The administration also claims to be heavily undermanned. Right now, only Prof. Edwin Barber and UP Volleyball Team Coach Vip Isada are actively seeking out means to repair the bus.

The start of the UAAP Season dawns fast with the approach of the First Semester. While the administration assures the Varsity Community that action is being undertaken regarding the matter, it will take more than words to appease their longing. Professor Barber, as the head of the UP Varsity Program, is continually asserting the Administration’s responsibility to safely transport their athletes to and from their sporting events, and assures us his full-time commitment in resolving this matter. Dean Hercules Callanta has already placed the bus as a top priority order for the staff, and the first priority will be removing the bus from the front of the College. He also assures that the bus will be working by the first semester.

Watch out for the next few updates.

Containing the C-RICE-SIS: Official Statement of the CSSP Student Council

For the past weeks, we have seen the dramatic surge in the prices of local commodities, particularly that of rice, our country’s staple food. The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics recently stated that the price of Well Milled Rice (WMR) has rapidly increased from last week’s 30.64/kg to its current price of 32.18/kg. Furthermore, last year’s original price amounts to only 24.14/kg, hence indicating a sudden increase of 35.68% within the year. These numbers have translated into increased alarm and distress among the people, particularly among those who live with meager salaries and limited access to resources. Manifestation of such has been observed from private groups who dazedly hoard stocks for their own benefit, to families who continually crowd markets, in hope of availing cheap NFA rice. These, along with other imminent setbacks from the agricultural sector point that indeed, a problem exists – a point of conflict, which, if not given necessary attention, may lead to further political turmoil and deep social unrest.

The problem, although wide in scope, may principally be rooted in the ineffectiveness of our local institutions to carry out correspondingly viable solutions. While we acknowledge the far-reaching adverse effects of some global phenomena such as climate change and increased consumption, we must also highlight the problems of our local agricultural sector. The inadequacy of irrigation systems, the lack of commercialized rice seedlings and the alarming decrease in the number of fertile lands continue to persist. Moreover, the government’s inability to strengthen the NFA results to the perpetuating collusion of private companies, who monopolize the rice industry. These problems remain unaddressed mainly because of the fact that the agricultural sector, up to now, receives insufficient budget from the government.

We, the CSSP Student Council 2008-2009, believe that measures should have been taken to lessen the grave impacts we are suffering as a consequence of this rice shortage. On the local level, agricultural policies should have been implemented properly not only to sustain our domestic needs for food but more so to ensure the welfare of our farmers. Consequently, we call not only for a comprehensive agrarian reform program but ultimately, for a genuine agrarian reform law – one that will best serve the interests of the farmers rather than that of the landlords, who for years, have resorted to desperate ways to maintain hold on their properties. Also, government agencies must be sufficiently empowered in order for them to actually carry out their respective functions. Globally, we urge the government to review and evaluate existing trade agreements, along with the country’s current status with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. National interest must be the core consideration of our legislators, not the selfish motives and interests of the few.

The problem is not simply about having less food to eat, nor is it just about lacking a basic commodity; the problem is about how this issue has pervaded through the social, cultural and economic spheres of our society. As students of a college that prides itself in its long tradition of critical thinking and active involvement, we ought to take the crucial first steps towards awareness and participation. From the simplest deed of finishing our food, to the act of calling for a more responsible government, we can respond to the issue. By simply recognizing our roles as scholars for the country, we can make a difference.

¹ Bureau of Agricultural Statistics <http://www.bas.gov.ph/amsad_price1.php>

Rice Against the Crisis!

The University Student Council believes that the present crisis on rice production demands for immediate, sustainable pro-people solutions. The government should immediately increase its support to the National Food Authority (NFA) in its procurement of palay, dismantle the rice cartels and impose a crack down on illegal acts of price manipulation, implement a moratorium on the land-use conversion of agricultural land, and increase its investment in the agricultural sector, all for the benefit our local farmers and the Filipino people.

NFA, at present, is importing rice because it has persistently failed to perform even its minimal procurement of 12% of the total palay production. NFA has only procured less than 1% of palay production in the last cropping season, leaving most of the tradable rice into the hands of big rice traders, particularly the so-called Big Seven cartel who now dictates the price of rice in the market. The reduced role and intervention of the NFA in the rice market allows private traders to control the trade both in inputs and produce, thus influencing the movement of prices in trade and marketing of rice.

We must resist impositions made by international creditors like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to bring down rice tariffs, increase food importation and pursuing reforms to liberalize trading in the country’s main staple by not subsidizing the agricultural sector. Policies of globalization on rice, i.e. trade liberalization (allowing rice imports), privatization (clipping NFA powers), and deregulation (lifting of government production and price support), which the government started to implement in the 1980s, has worsened the state of food security, not only in the Philippines, but in the rest of the world. Such schemes of deregulation also lead to the oil cartel which continues to manipulate and bloat the prices of oil products. To the youth, such policy of liberalization has also lead to the increasing commercialization of education by reducing the government subsidy to education.

Rice production remains small-scale and productivity is low. Philippine average rice yield per hectare is stagnant. Since the 1990s, the country’s rice yield has averaged at 3 metric tons per hectare even as it records yearly increases in production. According to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the required production for the Philippines to sustain food security is 5.4 metric tons per hectare. This situation is even aggravated by the increasing instances of conversion of rice farms to commercial uses and conversion of crops from rice to export winners, which has put the country in constant state of crisis in its rice supply. Landlessness and the absence of government support through production and price subsidies leave millions of Filipino rice farmers at the mercy of big land owners and traders. That is why for a long-term solution to this predicament, a genuine agrarian reform must be implemented.

Furthermore, the government has practically stopped subsidizing local agriculture for decades, and can be seen from the meager budget allocations received by the agricultural sector. We see the same trends with the increasing budget cuts that UP and other state universities in the country that has lead these universities to resort to different commercialization schemes and to increase in tuition. Worse, the funds intended for these sectors and other social services are being drained off to corruption.

The increasing inaccessibility of our basic staple and of education has made the lives of many Filipino youths and their families harder and the opportunity to make their lives better difficult to reach. With the increase in the price of rice, other basic needs will relentlessly increase in cost, thus making the lives of many Filipinos increasingly more difficult.

The chronic crisis that the Filipinos at the grass roots level and even the middle-class has been experiencing is simply a manifestation of a grave failure in leadership under the Arroyo administration. If such demands and solutions to the rice crisis are not met immediately, it is only imperative for the youth and the rest of the Filipino people to continue the people’s urgent call for the removal of Gloria Arroyo from office.

Fight for greater state subsidy for education and agriculture!
Attend the “RICE Against the CRISIS” Forum on April 30! Alcantara Room, 2nd floor Vinzons Hall, 1 PM
Join the Labor Day Mobilization on May 1! Assembly at Quezon Hall, 11 AM

Sources:
Asian Development Bank
Ibon Foundation
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
World Bank

(Prepared by the University Student Council’s (USC) People’s Struggles Committee under Councilor Fudge Tajar with inputs and reports from other members of the USC).

USC & Dorm Councils to Push for Collective Campaigns

The Students Rights and Welfare Committee (STRAW), under Councilor Jaqueline Eroles, held a preliminary consultation with the Dormitory and House councils last April 23, 2008 at the USC office. The activity aims to discuss with the councils and unite in a plan of action regarding the New Dormitory Admissions Policy implemented in UP Diliman last year. It also became a venue for dorm councils to voice out other concerns such as deteriorating facilities, poor services, proposed dormitory fees, and the new proposed rules binding to all residence halls in UP Diliman.

Common concerns raised regarding the new admission policy was the inefficiency of the whole process. Since applications are already made centralized through the Office of Student Housing (OSH), it resulted to certain inconveniences on the part of the students and staff. There were cases where some applicants were accepted in 3 dorms in which they did not apply for. Some male applicants were also approved for all-female dormitories. Another obvious inconvenience, according to the residents, was the excessively delayed release of application results resulting from the small number of staff in the OSH who had to review thousands of applications every semester. These problems were not encountered during the time when applications were decentralized.

Several recommendations and resolutions were agreed upon during the meeting. The USC and the house councils shall collectively campaign for:

1. The reinstatement of the powers of the dorm managers in admissions. A regulatory body can be established to fight corruption, irregularities and abuse, instead of centralized power vested in the OSH.

2. The review of pointing system in admissions and the transparency of results.

3. Dorm managers to have the power in approving activities. It would be more efficient and it offers a more sound decision than when the OSH does the approval.

4. The recognition that the House Councils are legitimate representatives of residents which are eligible in forwarding the concerns and campaigns of dorm residents.

5. The revival and strengthening of the Alliance of Concerned Dormitories

6. The transparency in processes–consultations should be done when new policies, fee increases and impositions are to be implemented.

7. OSH should be concerned in improving facilities and alleviating the resources of dormitories. It does not necessarily have to burden itself with applications every semester

These recommendations will be presented and lobbied at the Office of Student Housing this summer. Meanwhile, the USC STRAW Committee will further its study and investigation on the New Dorm Admissions Policy, including the Proposed Rules Governing Residence Halls in UP. There will be constant coordination with House Councils and Dorm residents, through dorm tours and consultations, to further ground these recommendations on concrete bases.

Statement of Support for 11 SE Students’ Call for Due Process

To The University Council:

“No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of the law, nor shall any person be denied equal protection of the law.”[1]

The case of the eleven graduating students undergoing disciplinary proceedings before the Student Disciplinary Tribunal for charges of cheating is yet to be resolved. The administration of the School of Economics have decided to prevent them for graduating as they await, for an indeterminable period, the final resolution of the case.

The students stand to lose more if they are prevented from graduating and subsequently found innocent, than the university if the students are later found guilty. Although commencement exercises are but a formal ceremony, it nonetheless is not an ordinary occasion, since such ceremony is the educational institution’ s way of announcing to the whole world that the students included in the list of those who will be conferred a degree during the baccalaureate ceremony have satisfied all the requirements for such degree.[2]They will not only be deprived of their right to attend their much awaited graduation, but will be stigmatized before their future colleagues. They will likewise be prevented from seeking immediate employment, and effectively, from getting on with their lives.

Under the rules, every student undergoing disciplinary proceedings shall not be subjected to any disciplinary penalty except upon due process of law[3]and that pending final decision on any charges the said student shall enjoy all his rights and privileges as a student.[4]

It is in this regard that we, the members of the University Student Council, urge the University Council to allow the eleven students from the School of Economics participate in the commencement exercises on April 25, in accordance with the rights set forth in the Rules and Regulations on Student Conduct and Discipline.

We likewise urge the Board of Regents to convene and amend the rules, setting forth guidelines in order to protect the rights of graduating students with unresolved cases, and to ensure the speedy disposition of these proceedings.

Due process, we must not forget, is not merely a high ideal that we seek to uphold but a right to which everyone is entitled. It is guaranteed by no less than our country’s constitution and reaffirmed by the very rules which students adhere to and which the university is mandated to protect.

[1] Section 1, Article III, 1987 Philippine Constitution
[2] University of the East vs.Jader, G.R. No. 132344 (2000)
[3] id Section 22, paragraph a
[4] id Section 22, paragraph c

CHK Summer Enrollment

The college has recently finished with our annual summer enrollment. Like every year, the CHK Student Council and the Registration Assistants of the college experienced a multitude of problems in trying to service the big number of CHK students enrolling for summer classes.

One big problem was crowd control, and it was attributed mainly to the lack of space for both students and registration assistants to maneuver in. Hallways and offices were cramped full of students- combined with the summer heat, this made registration a very uncomfortable experience for students and staff alike.

The CHK Administration (with the recommendation of the staff, registration assistants, and the CHKSC) has recently been working on creating space for the students by de-cluttering the hallways and reorganizing furniture. The result is now a designated waiting area near the entrance of the faculty hallway that will serve the students during enrollment.

It’s not much, but it’s a start.

Manifesto on the Acad Oval Policy

Below is a manifesto prepared by the University Student Council’s Community Rights & Welfare Committee under CSWCD Rep. Carmela Lagang seeking for a moratorium on the “One-Way Acad Oval” traffic policy of the UP Admin.
 
MANIFESTO OF UNITY AGAINST THE UNDEMOCRATIC IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ONE-WAY ACADEMIC OVAL POLICY
University Student Council (Community Rights & Welfare Committee)
All-UP Workers Union (AUPWU)
Office of the Student Regent (OSR)
Samahan ng mga Manininda sa UP (SMUP)
All-UP Transportation Forum (AUPTF)
All-UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU)

We believe that the history of our University proves that as a community, we have a proud tradition of taking part in the struggles of the people in and out of the University. Different sectors of our community, from the students to the residents of the various communities in campus, to the jeepney drivers and operators, contribute greatly in the everyday flow of activities in our university. As such, it is our role to be acquainted with each other’s demands regarding our issues and concerns as a community.
At the last week of March this year, the UP Administration imposed a “one-way policy” around the Academic Oval inside our campus. The rationale behind this policy is to lessen the pollution in campus and the volume of vehicles inside. However, this kind of scheme does not significantly reduce the number of vehicles that enter the university every day and it may even produce more vehicular emissions due to lengthened routes for public and private vehicles.

This kind of policy has affected the livelihood of UP transport groups, especially the drivers and operators of the Toki and Katipunan franchises. There have been no formal consultations between the transport groups, the students, and other affected sectors of the UP community by the UP Administration before the implementation of the policy. The “one-way policy” of the UP Administration adds more to the diminution of their income and has also created lengthened routes that force additional consumption of oil in a time when oil price hikes are relentless. According to the jeepney drivers, their incomes have not been enough to sustain an average family size of six members, as there is also a prevailing economic and political crisis in our country.

Aside from these predicaments, various student organizations and individuals were also consulted by the University Student Council and has expressed the inconvenience that the policy has brought them. Because of the lengthening and limitations in transport routes, it has taken many students a longer time to go to their classes and other important destinations in campus.
We, members of the different sectors of the UP community, recognize the services jeepney drivers have rendered to us and to our community for many years. We are one with the UP transport groups in opposition to this “one-way policy” of the UP Administration and in the campaign to bring back the drivers’ previous routes. We demand for: dialogues with the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs for the democratic consultation with consent from the affected sectors of the UP community; proper representation of jeepney drivers and students in the transport committee of the UP Administration; and the immediate resolution regarding the various conflicting issues on the implementation of the “one-way scheme” around the Academic Oval.

GA Report: April 19, ‘08

Twenty-two out of thirty-four members of the University Student Council (USC) were present in its first formal General Assembly (GA) last April 19 at the USC Office. Discussed during the GA were the reports of the USC’s standing committees and the reports of the special standing committees. Also discussed were the reports of some College Representatives, the report of the Vice-Chairperson with regards to convening the League of College Councils (LCC), and the report of the Chairperson.

The attendance during the GA is as follows:

Chairperson Third Bagro Vice-Chairperson Airah Cadiogan         Councilors Mik Bueno * Nem Canete Rye Castillo Bang Dizon Jacque Eroles Joseph Gutierrez Stephen Larcia Bevs Lumbera Mico Maestro Fudge Tajar Sherry Tismal * Bikoy Villanueva * * excused ** late *** left early

College Representatives Acee Abulencia Anna Achacoso Jay Bagcal Issa Baguisi ** Rashell Cabrera ** Rinno Camilit Ace Castillo Chorva David Norby Geraldez Dyan Hatague Carmela Lagang Eshei Mesina Ruth Miguel Jeyson Ocay Raquel Perez Pierre Reyes * Hazel Rodelas Sophia San Luis Marc Virtucio Lester Yupingkun

 

SECRETARIAT COMMITTEE
The Secretariat Committee was the first to report on the progress of the committee’s projects. Councilor Bang Dizon, Chairperson of the Secretariat Committee, reported on the progress of the VolCorps Recruitment program. According to her, recruitment forms and the recruitment booth had already been prepared. In addition to that, she informed the GA that the planned rummage sale in order to raise funds for the USC Office would be postponed due to her graduation on the 26th. Councilor Joseph Gutierrez added that he has sent marketing proposals for the renovation of the office. The Secretariat Refresher, on the other hand, the refresher course for USC members to acquaint themselves with the various procedures in the USC, is scheduled next week.

FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee Chairperson, Councilor Nem Canete, reported that he would meet with the previous USC’s Finance Committee Head with regards to the turn-over of funds from the last council. According to him, the sale of planners reached more or less 250,000 pesos. Canete also reported that he would also meet with the UP Administration on April 28 with regards to the USC’s funds. He also reminded the other members of the USC with regards to the deadline of their financial proposals.

WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE
Councilor Sherry Tismal, Chairperson of the Ways & Means Committee, proposed that the USC sell centennial shirts, jackets, and jersey-type UAAP shirts as a form of income-generation for the council. The proposal was subsequently approved by the GA.

NEXT USC PLANNING SEMINAR
With regards to the next Planning Seminar of the USC, Councilor Nem Canete said that he would try to solicit funds from the UP Administration. Chairperson Third Bagro added that if the funds turned over by the previous USC would suffice, it should be used to fund the activity.

MASS MEDIA COMMITTEE
Councilor Bikoy Villanueva was absent at the GA. He, however, relayed to the GA his request for suggestions and materials for the USC website which he is working on, and is partly up at http://www.upd-usc.net/.

STUDENTS RIGHTS & WELFARE COMMITTEE
Councilor Jacque Eroles reminded the College Representatives to submit their College Reports on time. She asked CSSP Representative Jay Bagcal for a copy of the Real Time Enlistment survey conducted by the CSSP Student Council. Eroles also reported that she attended, together with Councilor Villanueva and Vice-Chairperson Airah Cadiogan, the lab fee consultations conducted by the College of Mass Communication (CMC) Student Council with regards to the lab fee hikes in their college. Hikes in lab fees for thirty subjects are apparently on the way. In addition, Eroles added that she has consulted the Dorm Councils to which she has forwarded the Dorm Assembly Plan. She also asked the council for a tentative date for convening an All-Leaders Conference (ALC) to present the various projects of the USC and to consult the different leaders of student formations with regards to various issues.

FRESHMEN COMMITTEE
CMC Rep. Ruth Miguel relayed to the GA the various plans of the Freshmen Orientation Program Committee (FOPC). She also said that her committee’s calendar of activities is at the USC’s email groups. The Freshmen Committee also asked the Environment Committee for an update regarding the Smoking Ban, for inclusion in the Freshmen Booklet. Also for inclusion in the booklet, she proposed that the USC hold a pictorial on May 3. The booklet is planned to be released on June 6-10.

PEOPLE’S STRUGGLES COMMITTEE
The People’s Struggles Committee, under Councilor Fudge Tajar, will be holding a press conference / forum with regards to the rise crisis issue, on April 30. The target venue, according to Councilor Tajar is the Palma Hall Lobby. She said that the panel would consist of representatives form various UP sectors. The lecturer would be Sonny Africa form IBON Foundation. The committee is also planning to invite representatives from the agriculture sector. A statement with regards to the rice crisis would also be released by the committee. The GA was amenable with the points presented by Councilor Tajar and agreed that its release would be considered urgent. A draft would be posted at the USC’s email groups.

ACADEMIC CONCERNS COMMITTEE
AIT Rep. Chorva David said that the immediate plan of the committee is to coordinate with Students Rights & Welfare Committee and the College Representatives with regards to the Summer Enlistment Update. He also asked the College Representatives to inform him of registration matters in their respective colleges.

GENDER COMMITTEE
According to CEduc Rep. Acee Abulencia, the plans of the committee for this summer are: connection building with other organizations; dialogues with different institutions; participation in the International Day for AIDS Memorial at the Quirino Grandstand on May 18; and an IDAHO committee on May 17. The committee also requested that the USC release a statement with regards to AIDS.

EDUCATION & RESEARCH COMMITTEE
Councilor Mico Maestro said that the committee is working closely with the Community Rights & Welfare Committee with regards to the “One-Way Academic Oval” issue. He also reported that the committee will be working closely with the School of Library & Information Science Student Council with regards to the management of the borrowing and rental system of the TREC and the Center for Nationalist Studes (CNS) Library, which are under his committee. The committee shall also launch a “Policy Review”. On April 28, the committee would conduct a college-hop for the LEARN convention to be held on May 30. Councilor Maestro added that should there be a League of College Councils (LCC) meeting soon, he would consult the local college councils with regards to their positions to various pressing issues.

STUDENTS LEGAL AID & ACTION COMMITTEE
CL Rep. Sophia San Luis said that the immediate plans of the committee for the summer are the Paralegal Training and Grievance Desk. She encouraged fellow USC members to attend the Paralegal Training workshops. Councilor Jacque Eroles asked if the committee can extend its services to the residential communities in UP facing demolitions.

ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
CHE Rep. Rinno Camilit said that the USC, spearheaded by the Environment Committee, would be taking part in the Candle-Lighting activity by the League of Youth for the Environment (LYFE) at the Sunken Garden on April 21.

COMMUNITY RIGHTS & WELFARE
The committee, under CSWCD Rep. Carmela Lagang, and together with some members of the USC, met with the heads of the jeepney drivers’ organizations in campus to hear out their concerns with regards to the “One-Way Academic Oval” traffic policy. Some members of the USC also went org-hopping to gather reactions and grievances from the students regarding the policy. The committee also approached the UP Administration for pertinent documents to be able to come up with a position to the issue, but the requests were not acted upon. Councilor Eroles suggested that the committee write a manifesto and conduct a petition-signing campaign among students for a moratorium on the policy. According to her, “We are not against the bike line, but the thing is, it did not undergo consultation. The drivers had a proposed route but the UP Administration did not consider it.”

COLLEGE REPORTS
The Representatives from the College of Mass Communication (CMC) and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) briefly presented to the GA the conditions in their respective colleges.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Chairperson Third Bagro reported to the GA his plans of forming an ad-hoc committee for the project of renovating Vinzons Hall. The ad-hoc committee, according to him, will coordinate with alumni sponsors and donors, and arrange for corporate sponsorships. He also said that an Interior Design class would make it into their thesis. He appointed CA Rep. Marc Virtucio and Councilor Joseph Gutierrez as heads of this ad-hoc committee. Councilor Eroles suggested that the assignment of heads be delayed for the next GA, as a matter of procedure. Chairperson Bagro claims, however, that the matter is urgent and any member of the USC who is willing, is free to join the committee. Eroles added that the USC must be informed of such ad-hoc formations and plans earlier, to abide by the house rules of the USC. It was clarified in the discussion that the Vinzons Hall renovation shall only concern itself with the physical aspects of the renovation, its marketing, etc. It shall not be concerned with certain policies concerning the use of Vinzons facilities/rooms.

On other matters, the Chairperson also discussed election code revisions with regards to the student council elections. The matter, however, was deemed largely obsolete as the elections had just passed.

Manifesto Against 30 CMC Lab Fee Hikes

Below is a manifesto petition being circulated in the College of Mass Communication (CMC) by the CMC Student Council and the Student Alliance of the Advancement of Democratic Rights - UP CMC (STAND-UP CMC) with regards to the new laboratory fee hikes to be implemented in the college.

We, students of the College of Mass Communication, strongly condemn the railroading of the laboratory fee hikes in 10 Broadcast Communication subjects and 4 Broadcast Journalism subjects last March 12, and oppose similar impending hikes in at least 23 Film subjects. We take these recent moves as an assault to the principle of democratic consultation of the studentry and a clear indication of the commercialization route that our university is currently taking.

The proposed 16 new courses under the Broadcast Communication program also brought with it a fresh batch of laboratory fees ranging from P200 up to P1,000. As for the film courses, the proposed hikes during the first consultation last March 28 include the laboratory fees of both lecture classes (from P200 to P1,200) and production classes (from P800 to P3,200).

We stand firm and united against these anti-student policies that further render quality education as inaccessible, as this recent maneuver will set the trend in other degree programs in the college.

We also question the procedures and conditions which the approval of lab fees in Broadcast Communication subjects have undergone, and warn future tricks of a more scathing dissent from the broad number of uninformed or ill-informed students.

Rather than subscribe to the faulty logic of better facilities from greater lab fees, we remain steadfast in preserving democratic access to such mass media courses and in upholding the interest of the broad number of financially underprivileged students who will be severely hit by such increases.

The need to upgrade and replace some of the existing equipment and facilities in the college is unquestionable. However, we do not see the laboratory fee hikes as the panacea to the long-standing problem of the college in meeting the capital needs of equipment-intensive courses. Instead, we see the hikes as a counter-productive measure that will seriously limit the cultivation of skills of the broadest number of students, since costs always impose limits. This is a glaring truth especially in the context of worsening living conditions in the country.

In the interest of the Iskolar ng Bayan suffering under the harsh economic conditions engendered by the disregard of the Arroyo regime for the basic rights and needs of the people, we are determined to take effective steps to halt the impending lab fee hikes and to boldly assert that the new laboratory fee hikes in Broadcast Communication was railroaded. We persist in our call for greater state subsidy and demand the re-channeling of the people’s funds from widespread corruption to social services such as education.

No to Lab Fee Hikes!
No to Commercialization of Education!

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