KonKab sheds light on UPM students’ demands, calls

By Miguel Buzon, Liandrei Crisostomo, and Casandra Peñaverde

University Student Council (USC), college councils, and representatives of various organizations faced the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) administration to raise students’ demands on construction hazards in Pedro Gil, lack of candidacies filling the student councils, reviews in program curricula, accessibility of scholarships, and security concerns of the studentry during the Konsultahang Kabataan (KonKab) of the 45th UPM USC yesterday, Sept. 24.

Concerns on students’ spaces

UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee noted that current infrastructure projects in the university seek to make the campus a “warzone,” citing that construction workers are performing construction at night time as a solution to avoid class disruptions.

However, College of Public Health (CPH) Student Council Chairperson Raymond Lista narrated the difficulties students face in traversing Lara Hall, citing that students’ access to pathways becomes limited due to the ongoing renovation of the building.

In addition, the numerous infrastructure projects on campus continue as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) started drainage reconstruction efforts in full swing at the beginning of the academic year, aiming to solve the flooding on campus via treated sewage water disposal at Manila Bay.

Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Jose Tecson III said that UP Manila is currently in the first phase of the university’s infrastructure projects. However, Phase 3, where the passageway connecting Pedro Gil St. and Padre Faura St. will be closed due to the construction from Phi Walk up until Henry Sy Hall is expected to cause inconvenience as this is the usual route UP Manila constituents pass by.

Tecson III also shared plans to convert a demolished de la Paz Hall into an air-conditioned canteen to address the lack of food concessionaires after disputes were settled with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines as the building was built more than 50 years ago.

In an attempt to address the lack of student spaces, Tee and Tecson offered to use the eighth floor of Henry Sy Hall as a student center with rooms for each college to hold gatherings and meetings.

On the other hand, the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) vowed to improve the facilities of both the UPM Dormitory and Phi House by upgrading basic services including laundromat and internet access.

Lack of student candidacies

UPM Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Bernadette Heizel Reyes expressed alarm on the lack of student candidacies for both the university and college levels. Incumbent student leaders detailed how heavy academic workload and persistent red-tagging leave adversity to the student body.

CAS Representative to the USC Michaela Sison mentioned that students were not closed to the idea of running for council, although the lack of candidates filling positions made them rethink to assume higher offices with greater responsibilities.

With the CPH completing its slate of student representatives, CPH Vice Chairperson Joram Manio also shared how they executed consultations to remove the 50% + 1 rule in their college to ensure its completion.

People Struggle’s Councilor Nuraini Nordin suggested the low voter turnout was due to the election period taking place during the mid-year term, where multiple students are on vacation. Nordin raised the election period to be moved during the first semester.

On student assistance

Reyes recounted that 25% of the passers of the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) did not take their slots due to the cost of living, which, for her, is a manifestation of the need to give more scholarships to the students.

However, OSA Director Odessa Joson revealed that despite 32 scholarship slots being opened this academic year, only eight students availed.

UP Pharmaceutical Association (UPPhA) SC expressed that many students wanted to avail of the scholarship but were limited by scholarship requirements.

Reyes concluded that private donors may be asked for permission to combine scholarships, however, it might be difficult for government financial assistance like the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) because of higher levels of approval.

On students’ safety

The USC firmly asserted that the UP-DILG Accord should be revisited as there are recent sightings of uniformed men within the campus vicinity.

Sison requested the administration to coordinate with the student councils when state forces will enter the campus premises to avoid confusion and ensure that the UPM community is made aware.