‘Boss, pwede na pero medyo kulang pa’
Scrutinizing Michael Tee’s first year in office
By Jose Vicente Miguel Dave
Chancellor Michael Tee’s first year sees strides in partnerships and student initiatives under his leadership frameworks, but persistent issues — construction hazards, limited student spaces, and systemic reliance on external funding — temper the administration’s achievements.
Tee, who previously served as the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (VCPD) during his predecessor’s administration, was sworn in as the tenth chancellor of the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) in November last year.
Woes on his ascension loomed over the long overdue unfinished projects of the UP Manila Master Development Plan (MDP) under the responsibility of his previous post.
A play of IDEAs
Tee ran as chancellor with the vision of making the university a leading institution in medicine and the humanities, among others.
The incumbent chancellor introduced his “Innovation for lifelong learning dedicated to service, Discovery and Research, Environment that nurtures our mind and body, and Accessible Leadership, known as the (IDEA) framework, that promises an innovative university in research and development, while having a cohesive environment and an accessible leadership.
Tee also centers the focus of IDEA projects in the Academe, Government, Industries in Health Sciences, and Leadership Excellence (AGILE).
In an interview, Tee laid down what he has accomplished so far in relation to his framework.
“We could use what the chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said yesterday — sabi niya ‘we are fulfilling our duty as [a] national university’ since now the government and private sector are approaching us on what is UP,” Tee told The Manila Collegian.
Tee noted how both public and private sectors are approaching the university for collaborations such as the UPM and Monash University of Australia partnership for a forensic science course. He explained that this is part of his fulfillment in implementing discovery and research projects together with the academe and health science industries, which are only a component in his vision for UP Manila.
The incumbent chancellor also mentioned that in line with his promise of a cohesive environment for learning, his administration was able to provide breakfast and lunch meal stubs for 200 chosen students of the Ayuda Kalinga Alay ng Pamantasan (AKAP) program due to the help of private individuals and a business corporation.
“I am a clinician. Now, the university is my clinic and its constituents are my patients. Kung napansin mo, I walk around campus and ask around to determine the problem,” Tee added.
A campus construction in limbo
While the administration of Tee did achieve some of its promises, the changes of his administration can only be felt little to nil as for the students.
In a statement from University Student Council (USC) Chairperson Alec Xavier Miranda, the same old problems from the previous administration continue to permeate.
“It’s still the same generally. Too much construction, minimal support for university-wide organizations,” Miranda answered when asked about the status of the university under Tee.
The constructions in question include long overdue projects under the MDP, such as the University Library construction and Rizal Hall (RH) renovations. While the chancellor assured that the University Library is advanced from its deadline, there are still delays such as those within the College of Nursing (CN) which were caused by the lack of government funding.
In a Konsultahang Kabataan (KonKab) held two months ago, the students also complained about construction works at the Pedro Gil side of the campus, citing the potential safety hazards this poses to the community. The situation worsened thereafter with the further implementation of MDP Phase 1 and will do so more hereafter.
With the chancellor’s focus on construction works, Tee described the situation as a “warzone” given the fact that construction works are held at graveyard shifts to avoid class disruptions. He, however, offered the eighth floor of the Henry Sy Building to compensate for the disruptions due to the works within the campus.
Miranda, however, argued that the current chancellor’s administration has a stronger relationship with the student councils given how he hears out their concerns. He mentioned that Tee’s term is more open and accessible than his predecessor’s, Chancellor Carmencitta Padilla, term.
“We currently are able to have open communication with Chancy. In our previous THMs [town hall meetings] and other informal discussions, he has been supportive of the UPM 2024 SAGD [Student Agenda and List of General Demands] and has been asking for updates regarding the final version,” Miranda explained.
Falling debris, canceled projects, and student safety
Despite this, USC Chair Miranda mentioned that the current university administration, however, is still lacking especially in terms of persisting issues such as the lack of student spaces and genuine student representation in university-wide matters.
“So far, we have reached commitments from the admin on the intensifying lack of student spaces, and the inadequate basic services for students most in need,” the chairperson said.
“We have confirmation or commitments secured from Chancy for the following: possible monthly consultations with OC and Execomm, support for KonKab [that is] open to all students, Review of the RSA, funding for the USC projects and initiatives, strengthening the Office of the Anti-Sexual Harassment (OASH), and the like,” Miranda elaborated.
Miranda also noted that while the chancellor has committed to the council in certain regards, there are still table battles and negotiations on-going.
“We also appreciate that the sole student rep[resentative] in the RSA [Return Service Agreement] is still present in our term now. However, our fight never ceases for a truly democratic university. For example, we are still severely underrepresented in the University RSA Committee, with just one rep. The request for additional reps has been so far dismissed,” Miranda added as the lone student representative at the RSA panel.
The RSA Committee has only one out of 14 slots for students while the majority of its seats are occupied by administrative heads and faculty of the university.
The chairperson also criticized how the current UPM administration is silent on issues affecting the community such as the UP-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Declaration of Cooperation, even if other UP constituent units have already released statements against it. When asked previously about these issues, Tee’s go-to reply is he will ‘study the issue’ before acting.
When the incumbent chancellor was asked about the issue of press freedom, especially on how the College of Dentistry (CD) barred The Manila Collegian from covering town hall meetings and recognition rites as the college denied its staffers to enter the college premises to distribute the publication’s university-funded issues, the chancellor only promised that he will talk to the college administration. On the UPCD-AFP deal, Tee assured that he will define boundaries to protect his constituents against state harassment.
Furthermore, when asked about the concerns of safety due to falling debris outside RH due to its restorations, Tee only assured that the structural integrity of the historic building is secure, and such debris are only dentils, therefore, mere cosmetic issues.
“Wala ng problema structural integrity noon [about RH]… Dentils tawag doon [falling debris], hindi iyon structural integrity that is why it is to be awarded [referring to the bidding process of the repairs] next week,” Tee said.
When asked about the response of the administration on the said problem, Tee mentioned that it has been cordoned off despite the fact that the doorway — which part of the debris structure rests on top of — is still open and being passed by people.
Tee also added that UP and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) made another agreement that includes the repair of such, and the delays in RH are due to unforeseen problems such as structural integrity concerns that were not included in the original budget.
“So, may ginagawa tayo diyan. Kaso, ang mga bagay ay walang control tayo diyan. Kaya nagtagal ‘yan because the limit that time was P100 million,” the chancellor explained.
Furthermore, the UPM chancellor confirmed the cancellation of the proposed Dr. Stephen Zuellig Hall for the College of Public Health (CPH), lessening potential classrooms and student spaces within the university.
“‘Di yun matutuloy dahil medyo natagalan ang procurement process,” Tee explained.
A third has gone, what now?
After a year passed and a third of his term concluded, and was asked about his achievements in his first year, Chancellor Tee was pleased with what he had achieved.
“So in one year, I am quite happy that we have achieved many of what we promised… Gone are the days na hingi tayo nang hingi [referring to budget to fund the projects] pero wala naman,” the incumbent chancellor shared.
Tee also mentioned how his previous experience as VCPD helped in navigating the system-in-place as chancellor.
“Di naman ako pumasok na ‘di ko alam yung sistema eh. Pumasok ako na memorized ko na ‘yan,” Tee said.
While the chancellor does achieve his promises and knows how to work his way into the system, the question of sustainability, however, still lingers. Given the limitations of the system, Tee relies so much on benevolent individuals and external connections to make ends meet in the name of improving the unit.
“Saan mag-re-rely? Sa mga taong naniniwala sa atin,” the chancellor answered when asked about his vision.
On the AKAP program, Tee disclosed that funding came from external figures for the project. Such funding could be a hurdle in the future, however, if these entities could not commit anymore.
“So sino nagbigay? ‘Yoong isa kaklase ko,… ;yung isa Nickel Asia, at ‘yong isa pasyente ko, tapos may P200,000 pa mula sa UPMASA [University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society in America] ,” the chancellor explained.
Though the chancellor knows how to utilize said connections well for the university, such connections will not be one and the same with future heirs to his post.
As Chancellor Tee concludes a third of his term with relevant success, he must also ensure that he and his future successors are one with his constituents. While the chancellor — in his first year — does have a stronger relationship with the student council, having such will only be lip service if he and his administration will not act on the demands of the UP Manila community.
