Issues on enlistment, lack of facilities resurfaced as UPM CAS holds on-site enrollment after two years

THE NEWS TEAM

AFTER TWO YEARS of online set-up, the UP Manila College of Arts and Sciences (UPM CAS) will finally push through with a hybrid set-up that caters to more face-to-face classes with a suggested percentage of at least 50%.

After two years of online set-up, the UP Manila College of Arts and Sciences (UPM CAS) will finally push through with a hybrid set-up that caters to more face-to-face classes with a suggested percentage of at least 50%.

Several issues have nonetheless resurfaced such as the lack of student spaces like dormitories, cafeterias, and classrooms to name a few. Meanwhile, the recently held online registration also revealed problems with the shortage of human resources in offices as well as inefficient policies.

As of writing, the dean of CAS has requested the professors and lecturers to move their on-site classes a week after the date originally set by the college administration.

Being the largest college in the university that is expected to accommodate around 2,000 students, is CAS really prepared for holding faceto-face classes?

DELAYS AND ‘DELINQUENCIES’

The recent college’s enrollment process was beset with multiple delays, leaving the students at an utmost disadvantage.

Even before the scheduled on-site validation, students were already met with various difficulties in acquiring their Enrollment Checklist Form (ECF), such as missing subjects on the form— or not receiving one at all—and having to accomplish multiple Google Forms to get theirs.

Following the lifting of the academic ease policies as issued in Memorandum No. 2022-09 by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA), scholastic delinquency rulings were once again in effect.

During the validation of ECFs, there were multiple reports of students suddenly being labeled ‘delinquents’ despite their full compliance with all the requirements for this step, causing further delays in the queue.

A freshman detailed how her classmates, who all received their grades at the same time, were cleared, while she and a few others were delayed because of their ‘delinquent’ status. She complained that they were redirected to yet another long line and stayed until almost 7 p.m. on campus—with their issues being resolved in a matter of seconds when their names were finally called.

Others stressed that it was unfair for them to be labeled as delinquents when they have incomplete grades, especially since they are not the ones in charge of releasing their grades. However, some professors’ late submission of grades can also be attributed to the additional burden of administrative work.

Even worse, some remaining students with unresolved concerns were sent home and advised to return to the college some other time. Students asserted that this could have been processed online like the previous years, especially since some of them do not live near Manila.

According to the UPM CAS Student Council (UPM CASSC), the CAS Office of the College Secretary (OCS) cited, in a meeting, the lack of manpower to cater to the needs of students, which may suggest the opening of student volunteers.

Still No Space

Problems with student spaces in the college are nothing new. According to the UPM CASSC, the renovations of the Rizal Hall have been ongoing for five years already. This problem is now compounded with concerns about student housing as the return to on-site classes takes place.

On student housing, the UPM CASSC noted, in a December 2022 survey, that the majority of students, especially those coming from provinces, still have no dormitories because of three main reasons: (1) the university-owned dormitories are still reserved for female students; (2) the lack of clear face-toface plans from the college; and (3) the expensive living costs in Manila.

Some students said that they might resort to daily commuting just to attend on-site classes, “I have no choice but to commute but you know our transportation system works here in NCR that not only would it drain me physically, but also mentally and emotionally.”

While the campus aims to fully reopen for face-to-face instruction this second semester, CAS Dean Carillo, on Feb. 2, requested the college faculty to conduct fully online classes in the first week due to the lack of classrooms and the ongoing renovations at Rizal Hall. The letter also stated that this would allow students to finish their enrollment.

In the online town hall meeting conducted last Jan. 17, Chancellor Padilla revealed that construction at CAS still cannot be completed primarily due to the lack of funds. She stated that the college would still need an additional

UPM Dorm Residents raise concerns over food expenses, internet connection

MAI ALLAUIGAN AND MIRAFLOR ANACIO

AS THE NEW SEMESTER approaches and the university transitions towards a hybrid learning set-up in all undergraduate courses pursuant to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 16, the demand for affordable living spaces near the University of the Philippines (UPM) rapidly increases as well. Despite having comparatively lower rent than other condominiums and dormitories, the university-owned dormitory and its many limitations barely ease students’ concerns about high living costs in the metro.

Restrictions And Food Inaccessibility

Like any other dormitory, the UPM dormitory has its own set of rules and regulations, part of which is the prohibition of cooking, eating, and storing food inside the dorm rooms. Students have complained about these restrictions because buying food daily is costly and timeconsuming.

“Kailangan kong bumaba sa first floor para lang kumain. Bawal magdala ng cooking appliances. Bawal magdala ng appliances in general. Mura yung renta pero bawing-bawi naman yung gastos sa mga daily essentials tulad ng pagkain,” said El*, a student who stayed in the dormitory during the first semester.

El bore that their expenses for food were around more than P1000 a week, as they usually eat at eateries outside and even skip breakfast to save money. Meanwhile, Marie*, another student who lived in the dorm for a semester, revealed that her monthly expenses for food would reach P8000, while her other roommates would spend almost P10,000.

They also noted that access to the pantry, where they could initially leave their leftovers and dishwashing

Php 70 million to repair damages and address the space shortage.

Meanwhile, Dr. Blesile Mantaring, the director of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) said that updates on completed construction and renovations of learning spaces would be provided after three months.

Lack Of Consultation

The CAS Student Council (CASSC) expressed their disappointment with the administration as their incessant requests for a dialogue regarding F2F classes were only granted once which only lasted for an hour.

paraphernalia, was revoked two months after their stay. While there are understandable concerns about pest control and cleanliness, this also gave the dormers an additional burden.

Alongside the prohibition of all appliances is the ban on doing laundry in the dorm, which is yet another hurdle and additional expense, especially for students like El who need to wear a white uniform and have face-to-face classes almost every day.

Connectivity Issues

Dormers detailed that their internet access was limited, not to mention the weak internet connection because the signal is barely transmitted beyond the lobby and the study lounge. The study lounge, however, is only open until 9:55 p.m. or 11 p.m. in instances where an extension is requested.

El also explained that buying pocket WiFi or even spending for mobile data would sometimes be a fruitless endeavor since the cell reception was especially weak from the fourth floor — where their room is located —up to the eighth floor.

In the recently concluded General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC), Chairperson Namit bore that the said consultation only lasted for an hour because the CAS Dean insisted on maintaining a “life-and-work balance.”

Moreover, after the on-site enlistment, The Manila Collegian reached her for an interview to know her insights about what happened during the enrollment. Still, she requested a scheduled table discussion instead.

“It is already past 5,” she said after leaving the site. ▼

As such, some students are forced to study and accomplish their requirements by the stairs and in hallways at night, even though it is prohibited. This especially becomes challenging during midterms or finals weeks, when the communal study space becomes more cramped, and the internet connection gets considerably slower.

UNRESPONSIVE AND UNCERTAIN Marie and El both noted that responses to some occupants’ concerns about dormitory management were usually slow. Examples include dorm room repairs, noting the possibility of insufficient funding as a reason. Meanwhile, they also expressed concerns about the uncertainty of being accepted again for the next semester. Since their contract is renewed on a semester basis, there is a possibility that other applicants would be prioritized. ▼

*pseudonyms preferred by the students

Article based on relevant findings of the thesis titled, “Performance of Community Health Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Associated Factors in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte: A Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Study ibinibigay na suporta ng gobyerno sa ospital. Hanggang ngayon, nananatiling luma ang mga kagamitan, limitado ang akses sa edukasyon at abot-kayang serbisyo-medikal, at kontraktuwal ang maraming manggagawa.

ALAS SINGKO pa lang ng umaga pero marami na ang nakapila sa kalye ng Padre Faura. Malayo pa lang, maririnig na ang alingawngaw ng ambulansyang lulan ang isang pasyente na nanggaling sa probinsya. Halos lahat sa kanila ay sumadya pa sa Maynila para makapagpagamot sa University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). Kahit na malayo ay marami pa rin ang bumabalik pa kinabukasan, minsan mas maaga pa sa alas singko, nagbabakasakaling mapagbigyan sa isang konsultasyon.

Humigit-kumulang isang daan at dalawampung katao ang dumadagsa sa PGH kada araw pagsapit ng Hunyo 2022. Bagaman itinakdang National COVID-19 Referral Center mula noong 2020, hindi lamang mga pasyenteng mayroong COVID ang tinatanggap ng PGH. Lahat nang mayroong malalang komplikasyon o nangangailangan ng emergency care, sinusubukang mabigyan ng kwarto o espasyo sa loob ng pagamutan.

Sa kabila ng labis-labis na kapasidad, sinisikap pa rin ng mga nars at iba pang healthcare workers sa PGH na makapagbigay ng de-kalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan. Marami pa nga sa kanila ang napipilitang magovertime o ‘di kaya’y mag-double shift, matugunan lamang ang problema ng pagdagsa ng mga pasyente. Pero kahit sanayin ang lakas-paggawa na magtiis sa ganitong sitwasyon, hindi pa rin nito mapupunan ang kakulangan ng pondo ng PGH.

Noon pa man ay humarap na sa ilang pagkakaltas ng pondo ang UP. Sa ilalim ng Roadmap for Public Higher Education Reforms (RPHER), ang badyet na nakalaan sa State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) ay binawasan upang bigyang prayoridad ang ibang proyekto tulad ng imprastraktura. Taong 2013 nang imungkahing kaltasan ng P1.9 bilyong halaga ang pondo ng higher education, kung saan Php 1.43 bilyon ang ibinawas sa UP.

Ngayon, direkta nang kinaltasan ng pamahalaang Marcos ang pondo ng UP-PGH. Nitong ika-16 Disyembre 2022 lamang, nilagdaan na ng pangulo ang taunang badyet, kung saan binawasan ng Php 2.54 bilyon ang pondo ng UP system. Bukod pa rito, nabawasan ang PGH ng humigitkumulang Php 893 milyong halaga ng pondo.

Sa paglipas ng taon, palala lamang nang palala ang kondisyon ng PGH.

PATULOY NA PANGGIGIPIT

Matagal nang naipasa ang 1991 Local Government Code (LGC) na nagpatupad ng debolusyon ng serbisyong medikal, pero hindi pa rin sapat ang kapasidad ng rural health units (RHUs). Kadalasan kasi, iba-iba ang prayoridad ng lokal na pamahalaan pagdating sa mga proyekto nito. Mayroon mang badyet para sa pagbibigay ng serbisyong medikal, nakaangkla ito sa pribadong relasyon ng gobyerno at mga korporasyon alang-alang sa kita.

Dahil dito, mas nabibigyan ng espasyo ang mga pribadong ospital. Mula 2009, umabot na sa 60% ng kabuuang bilang ng mga pagamutan ang pagmamay-ari ng pribadong sektor. Napakalaki nito kung ikukumpara sa natitirang 40%, na siyang binubuo ng mga pampublikong ospital.

Bukod sa matinding kakulangan sa abot-kayang serbisyong-medikal, wala ring sapat na pagsasanay ang mga kawani ng RHUs pagdating sa pagsusuri at rehabilitasyon ng kalusugan ng mga komunidad. Hindi nakatatanggap ng sapat na pondo para sa mga gamot at kagamitan maski mga pampublikong ospital. Ayon sa pag-aaral, 55% lamang ng mga pampublikong ospital ang mayroong kumpletong listahan ng mga gamot at mas mababa pa sa 33% ang mayroong kumpletong kagamitan. Bunsod ng ganitong sitwasyon sa mga probinsya, pinipiling indahin ng ng RHUs pagdating sa pagtataguyod ng epektibong serbisyong medikal. Mababanaag din ito sa kung paanong pinipili na lamang dumiretso ng mga maysakit sa PGH, bagaman ito ay isang tertiary hospital na nagbibigay ng espesyalisadong serbisyo para lamang sa mga pasyenteng mayroong malalang kondisyon. Ito ay taliwas sa orihinal na mithiin kung bakit ibinaba sa LGU ang kontrol sa sistemang pangkalusugan upang maging mas malapit ang serbisyong pang medikal sa mga tao.

Kaya naman nagsisiksikan ang mga Pilipino at pumipila sa lansangan ng Padre Faura para makapagpagamot sa PGH. Kapalit din ng ilang oras na paghihintay ang libo-libong salapi na hindi na nila kailangan pang o ipangutang,