The 52nd General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) convened to assess system-wide and local campaigns and efforts, as well as craft resolutions as guides for strengthening campaigns. The two-day convention was attended by councils from across the UP system and was conducted from February 4-5 via Zoom.
Uprooting the building blocks’ foundations
The GASC initially laid out each of the unit’s successes, as well as victories in the system-wide campaigns.
Particularly, the body zeroed in on their triumphs in calling for academic ease and clamoring for the defense of academic freedom and upholding the UP-DND Accord.
Following the onslaught of typhoon Odette, various councils have reported having conducted sensing forms and surveys to assess the conditions of their constituency. Likewise, amid the rapid surge of COVID-19 cases, assessment forms were released to gather data on the student body’s situation.
The UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) found that 883 students had symptoms from their COVID-19 sensing form for academic easing.
Meanwhile, the UP Cebu USC released a sensing survey to keep track of their constituency’s vaccination status.
The deteriorating conditions of the UP community, as revealed by the councils’ data gathering, have intensified the push for academic easing. Councils are reported to have released statements and sent letters to their respective administrations pushing to move the semester and for academic leniency.
“The boat is sinking and the people in it are struggling. Amid the strong tides, the boat is only as strong as the people in it and we must draw strength from the fact that every member of the community is cared for and stronger,” UPD USC stated.
Unit reports have also delved into the resounding calls to uphold academic freedom.
“We found that our campaigns for academic freedom reached a peak. Nauga natin ang UP-DND Accord na mainstitutionalize siya, magkaroon ng institutional support mula sa Senate,” UP Student Regent (SR) Renee Co stated.
UP student councils have echoed the same sentiments, asserting each of their efforts in strengthening the campaign. Several email blasts and online and on-ground protests were held.
Particularly, UPC USC joined forces with the Defend UP Network and UP Cebu Kilos Na Network to heighten efforts in defending academic freedom, despite being a stark victim of state repression.
UPB USC, on the other hand, reported having struggled through red-tagging forums and the banning of “subversive” learning materials. They braved the forces of the Commission on Education-Cordillera Administrative Region (CHED-CAR) and the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) despite clear attacks.
Based on recent developments, the UP-DND Accord substitute bills (HBN 10171, SBN 2002, SBN 2014, and SBN 2035) have been moved by the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education (CHTVE) for discussion.
The GASC has also reported efforts in combating the Marcos-Duterte tandem, opposing its looming wider political influence through various efforts.
For one, the UPD Law Student Government (LSG) highlighted and lauded UPB USC’s significant role in dismantling the patronized image of the Marcos-Duterte tandem, being the sole UP campus in the North.
“We found here na nagkaroon ng Marcos-Duterte Alliance. Therefore, nagsama-sama ang university student councils na we pledge to fight this Marcos-Duterte alliance and fight for the Filipino people,” SR Co stated.
Unbuckling the current state of Philippine education
To upscale the campaign for quality education and people’s issues, especially amid the pandemic and a repressive national government, Kabataan Party-list National President and first nominee Raoul Manuel discussed the Philippine education’s orientation.
“Gusto nating ipoint out na ‘yung distance/remote learning, kaya masyadong niroromanticize ng current administration, ito ang nagpapadali ng pag-eexport ng ibang bansa sa atin. Nagagamit ang education at culture para sa dayuhang kompanya,” Manuel stated.
He slammed the government’s lack of regard for the students’ welfare, particularly on mental well-being and financial disposition. He cited that Filipino families spend up to P9,000 just to keep up with the current set-up; whereas 10 out of 16 schools have increased their tuition fees.
Manuel states that the education system is made into a business venture. Moreover, he lambasted the anti-democratic character of the education system, which worsened under Duterte’s term. He owes this to the multitude of attacks on students and the implementation of Executive Order 70 which birthed the NTF-ELCAC.
“Hindi na siya usapin ng kung may COVID o wala. Usapin siya ng state policy at paano niya tinitiyak ang access sa education at binibigyang confidence para magkaroon ng ligtas na balik-eskwela,” Manuel asserted.
He asserts the government’s fear for the genuine safe return to physical classes, also labeling Duterte and his appointed officials as “utak pulbura.”
Among KPL’s advocacies, they actively campaign for Safe School Reopening which calls for having medical staff and facilities in schools, providing internet allowance and benefits for teachers, as well as allocating sufficient funds for a medical and testing fund.
In fact, the Safe School Reopening Bill is allotted P195 billion in the 2022 national budget, taking up only 4% of the approved P5 trillion budget. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is granted P213 billion and the Philippine National Police (PNP) at P190 billion. The NTF-ELCAC is, on the other hand, given P17 billion.
“Ang style ng mga diktador ay gamitin ang mga krisis para kunwari ay magbigay ng mga sagot sa problema pero ang kapalit ay ang ating mga karapatan,” Manuel stated.
Manuel further underscores KPL’s call for a nationalist, scientific, and mass-oriented education, contrary to the current colonial, commercialized, and anti-democratic system.
The KPL National President elaborated on the party-list’s legislative efforts to address and oppose the state’s anti-people policies, having been the sole genuine representative of the youth to the Congress for 5 terms.
Among them are those which they principally authored (UP-DND Accord bill, Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, and Free Public Wifi Law) as well as recent achievements (extension of voter registration for 2022 elections, implementation of academic breaks and ease, and criticizing “no permit, no exam” policies).
KPL is also responsible for the Students’ Rights Bill, protection of young workers and professionals, national wage hike, and regularization of workers.
Manuel exemplified the party-list’s platforms through discussing the 9-Point Youth Agenda, inclusive of the people’s right to education, essential services amid the pandemic, livable wages, genuine agrarian reform, good governance, end to tyranny, upholding national interest and sovereignty, as well as environmental justice and combating gender-based discrimination.
LOOK: https://twitter.com/PahayagangKAPP/status/1489861439057965060?s=19
Manuel urged organizations and councils to be at the forefront in mobilizing the youth and leading student movements.
“We see to it na boses tayo ng kabataan na itinuturing din na pag-asa ng bayan. Our agenda goes beyond the upcoming elections. Patatagin natin ang ating pagkakaisa. Gawin natin ang makakaya upang mai-forward ang bagong klase ng lipunan,” Manuel concluded.
Building resolutions and refining pro-people campaigns
Councils have authored fourteen resolutions addressing rampant issues concerning various sectors, primarily boiling down to holding the Duterte administration accountable for its conscious disregard for the Filipino people.
The fourteen resolutions are as follows:
1. Resolusyon na naglalayong pagtibayin ang mga espasyong pansining at tuluyang pagtutol sa kolonyal, komersyalisado, at anti-demokratikong oryentasyon ng edukasyon
Authored by UPD CAL SC and UPD CFA SC, the resolution highlights the importance of the bachelor of arts degree programs despite being considered “unexportable” to the capitalist market. Numerous councils manifested that the ill-treatment of arts and humanities is a result of a colonial, commercialized, and anti-democratic education system. The resolution was adopted without objections.
2. A resolution urging the general assembly of student councils to uphold the banning of reclamation activities in Philippine coastal areas
Authored by UPV CFOS SC and CAFS SC, the resolution noted that coastal reclamations are social and environmental threats. Before adoption, an amendment was made to highlight the negative effects of coastal reclamations on the fisherfolks, including the fisherfolks of Brgy. Patungan, Maragondon, Cavite.
3. A resolution urging the general assembly of student councils to campaign and demand for the establishment of Filipino Sign Language (FSL) as a general education subject in the entire UP system
Authored by UPD Eduk SC, the resolution aims to make education more inclusive as it teaches students to be more sensitive to the particular experiences of others, particularly the deaf community among the PWD community. After some amendments, the resolution was adopted.
4. A resolution amplifying the campaign to institutionalize the UP-DND Accord by amending the Republic Act No. 9500, otherwise known as the UP Charter of 2008
Authored by UPD USC, the resolution strengthens the position of the councils to continually stand for academic freedom despite the abrogation of the UP-DND Accord.
5. A resolution to amplify the campaigns for sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual characteristics (SOGIESC) and the institutionalization of UP KASARIAN as a gender alliance
Authored by UPD USC, UPB USC, UPM USC, UPC USC, and UPLB USC, the resolution aims to create a more LGBTQIA+ community-friendly environment that is devoid of SOGIESC-related discrimination and hate crime. After some amendments, the resolution was adopted.
6. A resolution calling for a system-wide campaign to call for an affirmation of transgender and gender non-conforming name, pronouns, and titles policy
Authored by UPD USC, UPB USC, UPM USC, UPC USC, and UPLB USC, the resolution aims to recognize gender identity by respecting names, pronouns, and titles. The councils manifested that this resolution can be a precursor for future resolutions concerning gender-neutral establishments. After numerous amendments, the resolution was adopted.
7. A resolution in support and endorsement of Kabataan Party-list’s Youth and People’s Agenda
Authored by UPLB USC, UPLB CVM SC, and UPV CFOS SC, the resolution seeks to support Kabataan Party List, along with its progressive policies, in the upcoming 2022 Elections. The resolution was adopted without objections. Accordingly, the GASC officially endorses Kabataan Party List.
8. A resolution to expose and oppose the continuous developmental aggression of the Duterte administration in the Philippines
Authored by UPC USC, the resolution addresses the Duterte Administration’s “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) program as fraud that causes budget cuts for other sectors and an immense amount of national debt. Moreover, the councils manifested that the BBB program causes merely an illusion of national development, but behind the scenes, such neoliberal policies exploit even our environment.
9. A resolution to strengthen relief efforts for typhoon Odette victims and hold the Duterte regime accountable for its inutile, slow, and misprioritized disaster response to the people
Authored by UPC USC, UPMin CHSS SC, UPMin CSM SC, and UPMin SM SC, the resolution emphasizes the devastation caused by super typhoon Odette and the “mispriotized” efforts and lack of urgency of the Duterte Administration responsible for the even devastating effect on the affected people. The councils called for better risk reduction and prevention and academic leniency for those affected.
10. A resolution to intensify system-wide efforts against book-purging and defending intellectual freedom in galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM)
Authored by UPD SLIS SC, the resolution highlights the “book-burning” of “subversive” titles for the past four months. Accordingly, the GASC calls to abolish NTF-ELCAC and to junk Anti-Terrorism Law. GASC is also expected to strengthen its #HandsOffOurLibraries campaign.
11. A resolution to urge the UP administration to heed the call of students for the safe reopening of schools and to hold the Duterte administration accountable for its negligence to the education sector
Authored by UPV USC, UPMin USC, UPV CMS SC, and UPV CFOS SC, the resolution addresses the struggles faced during remote learning. The councils intensify their #LigtasNaBalikEskwela campaign. The GASC further manifested that education, virtual or not, should not be colonial, commercialized, and anti-democratic. After many amendments, the resolution was adopted.
12. A resolution to intensify system-wide efforts against red-tagging and other state-enforced attacks and to uphold press and academic freedom
Authored by UPB USC, the resolution calls to “strengthen system-wide and local anti-fascist campaigns by committing to existing efforts done by local UPRise chapters and exhaust all means to protect and uphold democratic rights and welfare.” It also urges the council to support HB NO. 319 or the Campus Press Freedom Act and HB No. 10171 or the UP Security Act. After numerous amendments, the resolution was adopted.
13. A resolution to unite the general assembly of student councils against the planned waste-to-energy incineration facility in Davao City and amplify the call for climate justice
Authored by UPMin CSM SC, the resolution exposes a Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incineration facility in Davao city near residences and schools. The GASC called to hold politicians accountable for their anti-climate policies including Sara Duterte. The councils further manifested the relevance of climate justice to tourism, workers’ rights, public health, and IPs land rights.
14. A resolution calling for public health solutions against the militarized and unscientific approach of the Duterte administration towards the COVID-19 crisis
Authored by UPM USC, UPC USC, UPLB CAS SC, UPM CAMP SC, UPM Dent SC, UPM MSC, UPM NSC, UPM PH SC, and UPM PA SC, the resolution highlights the shortcomings of the Duterte Regime in allocating adequate budget to the healthcare system, including the budget cut from the PGH. It further highlights the militaristic response to the pandemic instead of a scientific one. After some amendments, the resolution was adopted.
Selecting the next Student Regent
No proposed amendments were sent to the Office of the Student Regent between the 51st GASC and 1 October 2021. Accordingly, the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) is maintained.
The next UP Student Regent will be selected at the 53rd GASC, which is between the second semester and the first semester of the next academic year.
On the other hand, numerous councils raised their support for UPM SHS Tarlac to be included as a regional unit in the CRSRS. SR Co assured that UPM SHS Tarlac will participate in the Student Regent selection in the next GASC.
Rendering larger mass-oriented campaigns
“Itranslate ang mga napag-usapan sa dalawang araw na ito into semestral-long campaigns. Sama-sama nating paigtingin ang campaigns, lalo na’t pivotal period ito,” SR Co concluded.
The 52nd GASC adjourned after passing fourteen resolutions that underscored environmental justice, SOGIESC, inclusivity, scientific pandemic response, academic freedom, ligtas na balik eskwela, among others.
Moreover, the GASC ensured their full support for the sole youth representative to the Congress, Kabataan Party-list, significantly recognized for its unwavering commitment and efforts to cater to the demands and interests of the Filipino youth.
#GASC52
Featured image courtesy of SINAG.
