Multi-sectoral groups organized a mobilization at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, urging President Angelo Jimenez to fulfill his campaign promises on defending academic freedom and ensuring the welfare of his constituents.
The demonstration coincided with the UP Board of Regents’ (BOR) 1,378th meeting on February 23, Jimenez’s first as University President.
“Sa kaniyang panunungkulan, inaasahan ng bawat guro, kawani, manggagawa, at mga mag-aaral na matutupad ang mga pangakong kaniyang binitawan sa inihaing plataporma sa pagtakbo bilang Pangulo ng Unibersidad,” the All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) said in a statement.
“Inilatag ni Pangulong Jimenez na kaagad pagtutuunan ng pansin at uupuan ang pagbibigay ng benepisyo sa lahat ng empleyado ng Unibersidad, pagtaguyod ng akademikong kalayaan, at pagdagdag ng karagdagang plantilla items,” it added.
“Inaasahang maipakita [niya] ang pamamahalang may pananagutan, transparency sa pagitan ng administrasyon at unyon, maagap na pagtugon sa mga isyu ng promosyon at benepisyo, pagpapanatili ng bukás na komunikasyon, at pagiging konsultatibo at may demokratikong pamamahala.”
Organizations present at the protest expect Jimenez to continuously listen to stakeholders during his six-year term.
“Gusto natin iyong Pangulo na kinokunsulta iyong kaniyang mga sektor,” AUPAEU Secretary General Steph Andaya told DZUP.
Meanwhile, Johnny Azusana, public relations officer of the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Gwardya ng UP Diliman called on Jimenez to address their labor woes.
“Panawagan din namin sa UP Pres na i-direct hire na rin kami dahil matagal na kaming naninilbihan dito. Sana mawala na ang [hiring sa pamamagitan ng agencies] na naging sanhi ng kurapsyon ng iilan,” he said.
Faculty Regent Carl Marc Ramota and Student Regent Siegfred Severino joined the mobilization before proceeding to the BOR meeting.
The highlights of the latest BOR meeting include the appointment of new University officials, approval of the adoption of UP Visayas’ BS Accountancy Program by UP Los Baños, approval of the institution of UP Manila’s MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences program, reorganization and establishment of several units, and the approval of the request for funding for the institution of the academic program improvement of basic education for UP’s high school units.
The next BOR meeting will be on March 30.
