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.