What you need to know about the 51st General Assembly of Student Councils

I. Call to Order

The 51st General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) session began at 8:15 in the morning on August 31, 2021.

I. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum

53 out of 54 councils present. UPV Tacloban College was not around during the attendance checking but eventually checked in at 11:51 A.M.

II. Approval of Agenda

The provisional agenda of the 51st GASC agenda are as follow:

Call to Order
Roll Call and Determination of Quorum
Approval of Agenda
Approval of House Rules
Approval of Minutes of the 50th GASC
Discussion: Education amid the Pandemic
Semestral Report of the UP Office of the Student Regent
Unit Reports
Resolution Building
Discussion of the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection
Adjournment: UP Naming Mahal

UPMin USC raised the motion to approve the agenda. The councils approved the motion.

IV. Approval of House Rules

The body was given time to read the house rules. After reviewing, UPLB CAS SC objected and raised the motion to amend that the pronouns should be gender-neutral (they/their) instead of he/him and she/her. The amendment was adopted. UPD USC raised the motion to approve the house rules; the amended house rules were adopted.

V. Approval of the Minutes of the 50th GASC

After the body was given five minutes to read and review the minutes of the last GASC, UPLB USC raised the motion to approve the minutes. The motion was accepted.

VI. Discussion: Education Amid the Pandemic

The discussion was presented by Christian Ed T. Caitum, a UPC USC Councilor, Student Aid Network (SAN) Cebu convenor, and a member of the Nagkahiusang Kusog sa Estudyante. He talked about how the characteristics of neoliberalism affect our current educational system. “The political and economic situation of the country has directly affected our education”, he said.

Caitum talked about commercialized education, colonial education, and anti-democratic education. After the university faced a large budget cut, he stated that education is not prioritized in the 2021 budget.

“The curriculum design of the Philippine education is for other countries, not for our own,” Caitum discussed as he explained the lesser emphasis on the Humanities and Social Sciences strand in the K-12 curriculum. He called the K-12 curriculum an experiment, with students and faculty as “lab rats” for there was no scientific data and analysis conducted on its effects. He also mentioned CHED’s Memorandum Order 20 s. 2013, stating that it watered down the GE curriculum.

He then went on to discuss the unfair online learning education and that both CHED and DepEd hold no remorse despite the increasing concerns of students regarding this set-up. Caitum introduces the Student Aid Network, in accordance with the call to Ligtas na Balik Eskwela. The Student Aid Network aims to demand cash subsidies for education-related expenses to students. “Padayon tayo sa pagpapalakas ng ating panawagan na #10kStudentAidNow and #LigtasNaBalikEskwela, so that we can go back to our schools as soon as possible.”, said Caitum.

He ends the discussion by thanking the student regent and the student councils in the meeting.

After thanking Caitum, Student Regent Renee Co opened the floor for manifestations from the council. The manifestations are as follows:

UPD CESC manifested that the 51st GASC be the means for further promotion of nationalistic, scientific, and mass-oriented education.
UPB CESC stated that it is obvious from the misguided priorities, evident neglect, and worsening fascism that the current administration is disregarding our rights and welfare, especially in the education sector.
UPB USC called for the safe resumption of classes and medical, concrete, and scientific solutions as a response to the pandemic.
UPLB CVM SC shared the current situation of Veterinary Medicine students. The undermining of the role of Veterinary Medicine in the health sector was also manifested as it is still not on the list of prioritized courses for face-to-face classes.
UPLB CAFSSC stated that there is no sufficient support and aid received and that agriculture is especially difficult in the online setup.
UPLB CEATSC raised the mental stress and deterioration felt by the students. On the other hand, the faculty is not very confident in teaching due to remote learning, underscoring the unstable internet connection and the lack of resources needed in their course.
UPLB CHESC expressed their disappointment as the colleges are experiencing a lot of adversities, especially those students whose curriculum are deeply affected.
UPD SLISSC said that without enough budget, UP will be challenged with limited basic services, scholarship grants, mental health services, and online database subscriptions. They strongly opposed the irresponsible and inappropriate budget allocation of the national government. They urged the people to focus on most priorities instead of political agendas.
UPD USC shares that the students and faculty suffer from the lack of funds and subsidies. The faculty has suffered from delayed salaries. The issue of unemployment was also brought up.
UPD BAC recognized the importance of funding in the online setup. They mentioned the PGH budget and the salaries of community workers which are dependent on proper funding. They called for the administration to allocate resources properly.
UPD CALSC called for the support of Filipino culture and language amid the pandemic.
UPMin USC stated that the call for student financial aid must also be supported as some students are working and taking commissions to support themselves. They also brought up that there were millions of students who were not able to enroll for the current and previous academic year. They expressed their support for Lumad schools and urged the GASC to support the Student Aid Network.
UPM NSC reported that the College of Nursing is struggling due to new protocols brought about by the new variant as they are now conducting face-to-face classes. They also mentioned that because of CHED’s problematic scheduling, the process of approval is always delayed.

Student Regent Co expressed dismay over the budget cut despite resounding calls for holistic, quality, safe, and accessible education. She also stressed that funds for PGH are taken from the budget of UP. Therefore with the budget cut, the funds for PGH also decreased in quantity.

A unity statement was drafted by the Office of the Student Regent along with KASAMA sa UP. The statement serves as the call to stand together with the UP Community in fighting the P3.1 Billion Budget Cut on the UP System Budget.

UPB CASSC moves to adopt the UP OSR-SCs Unity Call to BOR on the UP Budget and has been seconded.

VII. Semestral Report of the UP Office of the Student Regent

JANUARY

Eight resolutions were passed by the GASC.
The call to condemn the DND’s unilateral abrogation of the UP-DND Accord was also agreed upon and united upon by the whole UP community.

FEBRUARY

A solidarity fundraising night entitled “HIMIGSIKAN” had 600 attendees and 20,00 views.
The fundraising was dedicated to helping the DefendUP Network. Additionally, UP Cebu initiated campaigns for the protection and expression of human and student rights as Bakwit schools were attacked in Southern Tagalog.

MARCH

System-wide actions were commenced to defend UP.

APRIL

The campaigns #DefendUP, Ligtas na Balik Eskwela, and Student Electoral Participation in UP were started to defend the system from varying threats.
There was the implementation of Academic Ease and approval of the No-Fail policy.

MAY

A campaign named #NotoDemolition was held to guarantee the safety and rights of people in their homes and communities.
Bills institutionalizing the UP-DND Accord’s provisions into the UP Charter were being prioritized in a Committee on Higher and Technical Education (CHTE) meeting and are currently waiting for its second reading and senate approval.
The campaign #PGHFire was also promoted further to help the hospital recovering from the fire incident in the same month.

JUNE to JULY

The academic ease demands were followed up for approval.
The Anti-Terror Law also continued to be pushed to be junked.

AUGUST

A system-wide student assessment was conducted to evaluate the circumstances faced by the students in the first year of remote learning.

The manifestations were as follows:

UPD STATSC applauds the Student Regent for the organizations of the campaigns in the promotion of a better educational situation. They also urged people to register for the 2022 elections.
UPMin CSMSC praises everyone who continues to fight and defend the rights not only of students, but also of the workers, teachers, and those of other sectors.

VIII. Unit Reports

The unit report of UPB USC are as follows:

75 students have an INC for the first remote learning semester (AY 2019-2020). The top reason is the heavy workload followed by time constraints. They emphasize the need for clarification of the academic ease guidelines. A call to limited face-to-face classes was also done as some students need laboratory classes and field research to not compromise the quality of outputs.
UPB is among the list of red-tagged institutions. A total of 18 individuals and 32 organizations were red-tagged. Additionally, some progressive organizations were also declared persona non grata by the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Council (RLECC)-CAR.
Actions to ensure better student representation and anti-sexual harassment campaigns were also done.
A 62.38% voter turnout was achieved from the first online SC elections.
The privatization of the Baguio market and the jeepney phaseouts is anti-poor, therefore, protests have been held. There have also been attacks directed at indigenous peoples.
UPB USC’s alliance work with UPB Rises Against Tyranny and Dictatorship UPB and the Rise for Education UPB were mentioned.

The unit report of UPC USC is as follows:

A total of 1,118 are students of UPC, 124 of which are SLAS beneficiaries. Only a small number of students were accepted by a large number of applicants.
Campaigns such as Ligtas Na Balik Eskwela and Upholding Genuine Student Representation were discussed. These campaigns aim to promote academic ease policies.
Students also call for their rights to democratic spaces, especially student journalism activities.
UPC is actively engaged in the upholding of the UP-DND Accord and to free Lumad 26 and Bakwit School 7. They have released a statement on the abrogation of the UP-DND Accord.
They have taken part in the Mendiola Massacre Mobilization and Commemoration of the Contribution of the First Quarter Storm…
An all-leaders meeting was also conducted wherein issues about academics and the community were brought up with different stakeholders.
UPC USC instituted a multi-sectoral alliance named UP CEBU KILOS NA!.
The UPC USC elections resulted in a 91% voter turnout where all members of councils won the election.
Attacks to the university were also mentioned such as the illegal arrest of the Cebu 8, the leaking of SAIS IDs and student names, including the tailing and red-tagging of student leaders. The AUPAEU-UP Cebu President also received death threats.

The unit report of UPD USC is as follows:

The UPD USC spearheaded IskoOps: Call for Donations in April, July, and August 2021. This aims to aid the affected residents in UPD and the neighboring communities. Kariton ng Maralita Network volunteers and Amorsolo BPSO volunteers coordinated the distribution of goods.
An educational discussion entitled WakaSONA: The State of Our Nation was launched and held last July 2021.
UP 100: Voter’s Education Initiative is an ongoing project by the UPD USC.
During the midyear, UP AITSC held the #ISKOlarshipAssistance which is an initiative to help AIT students find and apply for scholarships and other financial assistance.
UP ASC launched a week-long event to promote organizations entitled Castle Fair.
In May 2021, UP BAC was accredited as a mental health first aid provider through a partnership with LifeRisks.
Organizations and councils within UPD initiated their own efforts and activities to assist their constituents. Different donation drives were also launched.
UPD USC campaigns for academic ease, Ligtas Na Balik Eskwela, academic freedom, protection of UP, protection of Lumad schools and ancestral lands, #JunkATL, and #StopTheAttacks.

The unit report of UPLB USC is as follows:

UPLB USC is the first unit to hold remote elections. The voter turnout is 44.16%.
The student council instituted student representatives in the university committees.
They strive to strengthen their alliances in and out of the university.
6 resolutions have been passed by the UPLB USC and they have also coordinated with the academic union of UPB to involve the faculty and staff.
UPLB USC is currently initiating an art and culture-centered organization.
A student legislative chamber is conducted to strengthen the alliance within the university. The last chamber was in 2017 and has been convened again due to the attacks against the university.
The primary focus of the student council is the education campaign.
Unity points were created regarding Ligtas Na Balik Eskwela and Academic Ease with the support of the administration. The UPLB administration also released a memorandum that asks academic units to avoid giving deadlines within and after the academic breaks.
UPLB USC mentions that after a year of remote learning, there are no changes and improvements in the situation of both faculty and students.
The 10-point student demand was emphasized.
Relief operations and donation drives were initiated and sustained.
To support students who are victims of state harassment, UPLB USC presented the UPLB Safe Haven Resolution.

The unit report of UPM USC is as follows:

A petition is raised for the Return Service agreement. Concerns were also raised about the contract modifications without prior notice.
The council, together with KPL UP Manila, extended aid to stranded UP Manila students in the form of food, medicine, and internet and load services.
A few white colleges will begin to conduct face-to-face classes. However, support from the administration is still lacking.
UPM USC reported that the students who will be part of the limited face-to-face classes were required to have PhilHealth accounts. The council says that this disregards our right to education and health.
Delays in student’s learning assistance were also reported.
The council continues to strengthen its alliances with other councils and organizations.
Kunsultahang Kabataan is a discussion-consultation event that was conducted by UPM USC together with Rise4Educ UPM and YMAT.
The UPM USC also spearheaded the ACLE 2021 and other alternative learning programs.
The council has also staged a culmination of different campaigns to promote different advocacies named UPM Fiesta.
77% of the student population has already been vaccinated.

The unit report of UP Mindanao SC is as follows:

The council shared their concern with struggles in the online setup. They noted that students struggle with peer relationships. Some professors were also becoming less lenient.
Monthly activities were being held to promote student welfare and in defense of the UP system.

The unit report of UP Visayas is as follows:

Many recent threats and rights abuses were faced by the students and faculty of UPV, including the Tumandok 9 massacre. The number of tarpaulins red-tagging students has also been escalating.
The council launched initiatives such as the UPV Human Rights Watch, adjustments of academic policies, and housing for UPV students.

IX. Resolution Building

During the first day of the GASC, five resolutions were discussed and passed. These resolutions are as follows:

Resolusyon na Naglalayong Pagtibayin ang Paggamit ng Wikang Filipino sa Panahon ng Pandemya at Tuluyang Pagbabasura ng CHED Memorandum 20, S. 2013

It was authored by UP Diliman College of Arts and Literature Student Council. It swiftly passed without objections

A Resolution for the 51st GASC to Intensify Campaigns For the Preservation, Maintenance, and Protection of the University of the Philippines Arboretum

It was co-authored by UPD CSSC, UPD CSWCDSC, UPD ASC, and UPD AITSC. It swiftly passed without objections.

A Resolution Calling to Uphold Economic Support and Relief for Filipino Families Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

It was authored by UP Diliman College of Home Economics Student Council. It swiftly passed without objection

A Resolution for the General Assembly of Student Councils to Condemn the Attacks on the Democratic Rights and Intensify the Campaign to Defend Southern Tagalog

It was co-authored by UPLB USC, UPLB CASSC, and UPLB CEATSC. It swiftly passed without objection.

A Resolution to Oppose and Expose the Adverse Effects of Duterte’s Build! Build! Build! Program and its Manifestations in the University of the Philippines

It was authored by UP Cebu University Student Council. UPD CESC raised the motion to amend line 127 to add the word ‘shall’ due to grammatical reasons. However, UPLB CAFSSC objected to the amendment. UPD USC raised a manifestation that the OSR Secretariat would be in charge of any grammatical corrections and technicalities on the resolution.

Then, the resolution was debated. UPLB CAFSSC stated that the resolution is inconsistent. “…sa dulo ng resolution ay gusto nating i-abolish and BBB…then throughout the previous process… There is no point in calling or relying in the Duterte administration, and also, huwag na lang bigyan ng budget [ang BBB program] to begin with,” UPLB CAFSSC expressed.

However, UPD USC replied, “I think it’s not mutually exclusive to junk the BBB program, as well as i-demand na i-rechannel yung funds.”

After more debate and revisions, Student Regent Renee Louise Co concluded that the discussion was exhausted, so the resolution was finally passed.

At 8:00 P.M. the session for the first day of the GASC was suspended. The remaining resolutions and agenda would be discussed the following day.

On the second day, UPV CMSC was absent when the order was called at 8:22 A.M. The remaining draft resolutions were discussed:

A Resolution for the General Assembly of Student Councils to Demand Transparency and Accountability from the Duterte Administration for Its Failure to Provide Accessible, Accurate, and Authentic Data and Information to the Filipino People

It was authored by UP Diliman School of Statistics Student Council. It swiftly passed without objections.

A Resolution to Intensify the Campaign to Defend Press Freedom Against the All-Out Attacks of the State to Suppress All Who are critical of Its Administration

It was authored by UP Diliman College of Mass Communication Student Council. Then, UPV USC raised the motion to amend the example of the closure of ABS-CBN to add the word ‘alleged.’ The resolution was passed.

A resolution for the General Assembly of Student Councils to Advocate for Entrepreneurship and Innovation by Supporting Local and Sustainable Business

It was authored by UP Diliman Business Administration Council. UPD CALSC raised the motion to include UP Maninindas as an example of people who are suffering from the economic crisis brought by the failed pandemic response; the amendment was adopted.

UPD USC raised the motion to amend line 61, adding “…call on the UP admin to support socio-economic initiatives of communities and other basic sectors inside the university, like KomyUP Fair…” The amendment was adopted

UPD USC raised the motion to amend, adding lines 62 to 65; the amendment was adopted.

UPLB USC raised the motion to amend the title to “A Resolution for the General Assembly of Student Councils to Advocate for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Socio-Economic Initiatives by Supporting Local and Sustainable Businesses.” The amendment was adopted.

At last, the amended resolution was passed.

A Resolution for the General Assembly of Student Councils to Launch a Campaign Urging the Government to Uphold Financial Transparency and Accountability and to Protect State Auditors

It was authored by UP Diliman Business Administration Council.

UPV USC raised the motion to amend, adding lines 54 to 56: “WHEREAS, Duterte’s declaration of a clean and transparent government and his promise to prioritize the passage and the implementation of the freedom of information act are nothing but a vague bravado.” The amendment was adopted.

UPV USC raised the motion to amend, rewording lines 87: “…will institutionalize financial transparency initiatives to all UP student councils across the system and…” However, the OSR Secretariat mistakenly made the amendments to lines 91 and 92. UPLB USC rejected the amendment, stating that the clause was unnecessary.

UPV USC raised the motion to amend line 81, “…all the constituent and regional units…” The amendment was adopted.

After some manifestations, the amended resolution was passed.

A Resolution Calling for the UP System to Regularize Contractual Workers and to Compensate Them In A Just and Timely Manner

It was authored by UP Diliman Business administration Council. UPC USC moves to adopt the resolution; however, UPD USC objected.

UPD USC raised the motion to amend, adding lines 80 to 83; the amendment was adopted.

After a single amendment, the resolution was passed.

A Resolution Urging All Student Councils to Strengthen the Calls and Demand for the Security of the Environmental Defenders in the Country Under the Duterte Administration

It was authored by UP Los Baños College of Forestry and Natural Resources Student Council. It swiftly passed without objections.

A Resolution to Amplify the Call Against Feudalism

It was authored by UP Los Baños College of Agriculture and Food Science Student Council.

UPD USC raised the motion to amend, adding lines 86 to 85; the amendment was adopted.

After a single amendment, the resolution was passed.

A Resolution to Amplify the Campaigns for the Safe and Gradual Reopening of Classes and the Institutionalization of Academic Ease Amidst Pandemic

It was co-authored by UPD USC, UPD College of Education SC, UPD Engineering SC, UPD College of Science SC, and UPD CSSPSC.

UPV CASSC raised the motion to amend, adding lines 108 to 110: “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the GASC shall establish a system-wide Rise for Education Alliance to streamline its campaigns for safe, quality, and democratic education amid the pandemic.” However, UPC USC objected to the amendment.

UPB USC raised the motion to amend, adding lines 108 to 110. This amendment was similar to the failed amendment raised by UPV CASSC but without the inclusion of Rise for Education Alliance. The amendment was adopted.

UPC USC raised the motion to amend, adding line 86: “6. Waive pre-requisite courses for the upcoming semesters to give way to those who have not yet completed their previous courses.” The amendment was adopted.

However, UPD BAC objected to the resolution, stating that the amended lines 108 to 110 were too vague.

Student Regent Renee Louise Co opened the body for debate. The debate was about if Rise for Education should be included in lines 108 to 110.

In the end, UPC USC raised the motion to once more amend lines 108 to 110 to include the Rise for Education; the amendment was finally adopted.

After some more amendments, the resolution was passed.

A Resolution Urging the University of the Philippines Administration to Institutionalize PsychServ and Establish Similar Initiatives Across the UP System and Address the Underlying Social Issues of the Ongoing Mental Health Crisis in the University

It was authored by UP Diliman College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council. After the councils lamented the lack of adequate mental health services, the resolution was swiftly passed without objections.

A Resolution for the Institutionalization of Students’ Rights in the University of the Philippines

It was co-authored by UP Diliman College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council and UP Diliman Law Student Government.

UPLB USC raised the motion to amend lines 76 and 77, adding the phrase: “Will actively continue their initiatives for the institutionalization of their own students’ rights and welfare.” The amendment was adopted.

After a single amendment, the resolution passed.

A Resolution Urging the General Assembly of Student Councils for an Extensive Campaign to Prevent the Electoral Bid of Rodrigo Duterte and Allies by Promoting Critical Youth Participation in the 2022 National and Local Elections

It was co-authored by UPLB USC, UPD NCPAGSC, UPLB CASSC. After some manifestations, the body moved to adopt the resolution; however, UPLB CAFSSC objected.

UPLB CAFSSC raised the motion to include the extension of voters’ registration in the campaign; the amendment was adopted.

After a single amendment, the resolution passed.

A Resolution Urging the General Assembly of Student Councils to Amplify and Mobilize for the Campaigns of the National Minorities for Their Rights to Land, Life, and Self-determination

It was authored by UPD CSSPSC, UP DEPPOSC, UPD AITSC, UPLB CDCSC, UPMin CSMSC, and UPMin CHSSSC.

UPV USC and UPV CASSC raised motions to include clauses referring to the Tumandok’s resistance against the Jaulur Mega Dam Project and the Aeta community’s displacement in Boracay island ensued by the government ‘without prior land survey,’ respectively.

After two amendments, the resolution was passed.

A Resolution to Continuously Demand for the Adequate Allocation of Funds for the Education Sector and to Intensify the Campaigns in Forwarding the Emergency Student Aid and Relief Bill

It was authored by UPD CESC, UPMin USC, and UPMin SMSC.

UPD CFASC raised the motion to include the call of rechannelling of funds of NTF-ELCAC and other country-insurgency programs. The amendment was adopted.

After a single amendment, the resolution was passed.

A Resolution to Intensify System-Wide Efforts Against Stae Fascism and Establishment of UP Campuses as Safe Haven

It was authored by UPB USC, UPD CSWCDSC, UPLB CHESC, UPLB CFNRSC, UPLB CEATSC, UPV USC, UPV CASSC, UPV STSC, UPV CFOSSC, UPV CMSC, and UPV TASCS.

UPD USC raised the motion to amend, formalizing Defend UP Network, and in upholding and institutionalizing the UP-DND accord through ‘adopting the BOR resolution drafted by the sector regents. The amendment was adopted.

After two amendments, the resolution was passed.

A Resolution Calling for Inclusive, Comprehensive, and Responsive Public Health Solutions Against the Militaristic Approach of the Duterte Administration During the COVID-19 Pandemic

It was co-authored by UPM USC, UPM CAMPSC, UPM CASSC, UPM CDSC, UPM CMSC, UPM CNSC, UPM PASC, and UPM CPHSC. It swiftly passed without objections.

X. Discussion of the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection

UPLB USC expressed that it is the first in recent years that the Codified Rules of Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) was not amended. UPLB USC hoped that it affirms that there is good faith in the GASC. Accordingly, UPLB USC raised the motion to maintain the present version of the CRSRS. The motion was easily passed.

XI. Adjournment: UP Naming Mahal

After two days, the GASC adjourned the assembly at around 5:30 P.M. of September 2 with the University of the Philippines’ hymn: UP Naming Mahal.

Featured image courtesy of UP Media and Public Relations Office.