ARSO E 2018 - M R B M E Y B A • NO • 12 PAHIN 1 . G L B • TOMO XLV
E P B UPL MGA AGAN NG Y A H A P A YAL N ANG OPIS
E V I T C E P S R
MAG-AAR
OS S LOS BAÑ A IN IP IL P G ERSIDAD N L NG UNIB
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BALITA:
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FRESHMEN CAMPAIGN AGAINST RECRUITMENT BAN
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CHINESE WORKERS &CHINA-FUNDED PROJECTS
LATHALAIN:
KULTURA:
9 ‘ML’ REVIEW: ‘NEVER AGAIN’ 10
2019
OPINYON:
RONALD CADERMA, SUBSERVIENCE IS NEVER THE ANSWER
GAGGING THE MOUTHPIECES OF TRUTH
2 EDITORYAL
UPLB PERSPECTIVE
NOBYEMBRE 2018-MARSO 2019
GAGGING THE MOUTHPIECES OF TRUTH
The Philippines is a democracy, therefore it the government’s responsibility is to defend and provide democratic rights. The Department of Justice’s deliberate resurrection of the libel case against Maria Ressa and the consequent arrest of Maria Ressa are a manifestation that this government disregards their role of protecting the freedom of the press. This government fears criticism and the path to self-preservation is by killing criticism and critics. Since the ascension of Duterte, there have been multiple attacks on the media; from live statements to official government policy, the administration is honest that it dislikes criticism and critics. Media companies such as Inquirer, ABS-CBN, and Rappler have faced threats of shutdown. Journalists such as Pia Ranada have been harassed while twelve journalists have been killed for their reportage. These cases of assassination, harassment, intimidation, and murder are still unresolved and have been largely ignored by the current administration. Through legal, extra-legal, and illegal means – the administration continues to attempt to silence dissent. The Duterte administration has disregarded the proliferation and consequent popularity of misinformation or ‘fake news’ from icons such as Sass Sasot, Thinking Pinoy, and Mocha Uson, by not investing time, resources, and manpower to curb and limit the influence and power of misinformation. The value of truth has unprecedentedly diminished in this society and has been replaced by fabricated stories and lies. Information and informed opinion share almost no border with uninformed opinion, publicity stunts, and propaganda. Trevor Timm, a lawyer and an advocate for the Freedom of the Press, says that one of the essential features of a functional and representative democracy is the existence of an independent free press. This means that any unreasonable and authoritarian prohibition imposed on the freedoms of the press is a symptom of a failing and unrepresentative democracy. The prohibition of journalists to cover sites of extra judicial killings and the police intimidation faced by media workers to produce positive coverage of the administration are manifestations of a crumbling democracy. The Freedom of the Press is crucial in a democracy as the press acts as one of the vocal vanguards of the society. Through the eyes and ears of the press, they collect information and report it to the public for the public’s formation of an informed perspective and opinion of society. It is the press who acts as the mouthpiece of many unrepresented voices of society. If that mouthpiece is dominated by one or few actors – the voices we listen to become unrepresentative of society. Thus, not only our opinions become unfit to the multiple social realities and conditions citizens face but also enable undemocratic political choices. The writers of our constitution envision a society where the freedom of the press does not become monopolized by one actor – whether it be a political party, a corporation, or a state, as they learned from the consequences and pitfalls of the state censorship of media during the Marcos regime. The dominance of the state on media reporting allowed the deliberate exclusion of important news about the health of the country’s economy and political situation.
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Kasapi UP Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations (Solidaridad) at College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines Pamuhatan Silid 11, Pangalawang Palapag, Student Union Building, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Los Baños, College, Los Baños, Laguna , 4031
It is not only the Duterte government that envisions a society where their voices are the only voices that can be heard rather many political actors and economic influencers also share the same vision of them monopolizing discourse and stifling opposing opinion. The role of a democratic government is to expand and equalize the space for discourse as well as prevent the monopoly of an actor and hegemony of an idea in the public. If the government fails to fulfill its obligations, it is the civil society’s role to demand for the recognition, provision, and the defense of freedoms such as the freedom of the press. If the government’s interest is only self-preservation, it is then a government that has no legitimacy to hold power. If the freedom of the press is stifled and monopolized by one actor – whether it be a political party, a corporation, or a state, our perspective of society becomes muddled and misinformed as it becomes formed on the lack of diversity and multiplicity of perspectives and information. School publications and spaces are not free from the government encroachment. The funding and freedom of school publications must be defended as they exist as the amplifiers of the youth’s voice. School spaces must not be monopolized as well for one ideology rather it must accommodate the multiplicity of voices and encourage the participation of more students in political discourse. Once the publication and spaces are under attack from the state or a non-state actor, it should raise alarm as it is a manifestation that there are attempts to stifle democratic values. This publication and the Filipino people demand the respect for democracy and human rights, the respect and recognition for truth and information, and the responsibility to protect the Filipino people. If an attack is possible towards Sister Fox, Kian Delos Santos, Sen. Leila de Lima, Vice President Leni Robredo, and Maria Ressa, any attack is possible towards an ordinary civilian. [P]
Punong Patnugot John Albert Pagunsan Kapatnugot Julianne Afable Tagapamahalang Patnugot Rane Averion Patnugot ng Balita Caren Malaluan Patnugot ng Lathalain Gershom Mabaquiao Patnugot ng Kultura Juan Sebastian Bautista Patnugot ng Paglalapat Mackie Valenzuela Patnugot ng Grapiks Kristine Paula Bautista Patnugot ng Onlayn Mac Andre Arboleda Tagapamahala ng Pinansiya James Jericho Bajar Taga-disenyo ng Layout Kel Almazan Mga Kawani Liane Parajeno Marj Penaflorida Lindsay Estacio Monica Laboy Pat Echano Paul Christian Carson Mark Famatigan Sonya Castillo Lindsay Penaranda Aynrand Galicia Sophia Pugay Christabel Genovana Mga Apprentice Andrea Pinaroc Beatrice Anonuevo Eric Joy Favenir Juan Carlos Manuel John Nehemiah Lopez Maisie Althea Gubat Philip Xavier Li
pabalot ni Aynrand Galicia
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‘Politika ng Pagbabago’: Members of the Alpha Phi Omega demand politics of change in the coming national elections through the traditional Oblation Run last March 1, 2019. Photos by John Albert Pagunsan & Mark Ernest Famatigan.
FRESHMEN CAMPAIGN AGAINST RECRUITMENT BAN WORDS l NICOLE CAMELLO
During this year’s UPLB February Fair, the University Freshman Council (UFC) launched a campuswide campaign against the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Freshman Recruitment Ban. Among the initiatives of the campaign are a photobooth during the
February Fair, an online and physical signature campaign, and a university-wide survey on the perception of organization recruitment. In the photobooth, students can take pictures with call signs such as as ‘Job Ready – Org Ready’ which UFC Chairperson Paula Bea
NUSP: TUITION HIKES CAUSED BY TRAIN LAW WORDS l JOHN ALBERT PAGUNSAN
The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) said that Duterte’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law is responsible for the recent tuition hikes by in private schools for the AY 2019-2020. NUSP claimed that 1,400 private schools plan to increase fees by 6-8%, which is higher than the usual 3-4%. Furthermore the student group said that higher costs of living - food, transportation, and other daily expenses, make education more inaccessible. According to data presented by NUSP, a Filipino student would need Php 33,047 to Php 47,210 in tuition fees for a load of
42-60 units per an academic year. If other daily costs are included, a student would at least need Php 230,000. The student group then said a parent working as a minimum worker in Metro Manila only earn Php 122,880 annually which they assert is insufficient for funding a student’s education. NUSP says that the current deregulated system of education has given schools the power to continuously increase fees without any restrictions. The student group believes that the administration is staying with the deregulated system because of businesses that get huge profits from education. [P]
Quidilig says is reflective of the Freshmen and upperclassmen sentiment on recruitment of organizations. Meanwhile, students will be asked to answer the question ‘Ano ang tingin mo?’ (What is your opinion?) in the online and physical surveys on perceptions and
opinions on the recruitment ban. The survey data will then be presented in a scheduled dialogue with the administration. The Freshmen Recruitment Ban is a memorandum released by the Office of the Student Affairs (OSA) that strictly prohibits
freshmen to apply and affiliate with any kind of organization. According to OSA, the ban is made to remedy the rising number of students being dismissed because of their affiliations. (continued on Page 4)
Amidst victory, student-athletes face challenges
UPLB student-athletes bag 8th place in strasuc WORDS l MONICA LABOY PHOTOS | COURTESY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN KINETICS (DHK)
The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) athletes took home 15 Gold, 20 Silver, and 45 Bronze medals, bagging an overall th standing of 8 place in the Southern Tagalog Regional Association State Colleges and Universities Olympics (STRASUC) held last November 2018 at the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU). Most of the Gold medals were one in the swimming competition with Jose Antonio Junsay winning three (3) and Ezra Ysabella Dignadice winning four (4), and one (1) for the Men’s Relay Medley. The swimming varsity also garnered most of the Silver medals, with Madeleine Jeanne
UPLB Karatedo team strikes a pose after bagging Bronze Medals in STRASUC. (Photo by UPLB DHK)
Argosino bagging five (5) medals in the free style competition. However, amidst the victories, these student athletes are facing not only the challenges of catching up with academic work during competitions but also with the lack of
financial support from the university. Unlike in UP Diliman, students, despite being a member of varsity teams, do not receive a scholarship from the university. (continued on Page 4)
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UPLB STUDENT-ATHLETES... (continued from Page 3)
For the love of sport Madeleine Jeanne Argosino, a BS Development Communication student and member of the swimming varsity explained that their trainings go on almost every day with Tuesdays until Thursdays for swim training and Mondays land training. “[One of the most] challenging part of being a member of the varsity would be being gone for a week for the completion than coming back with heavier academic requirements. Some professors, when an exam is missed during STRASUC, would automatically
Carl Anthony Puno, with coach Myra Luz Abueg, won gold in 100 meter dash and bronze in 200 meter dash. (Photos by DHK) FRESHMEN CAMPAIGN... (continued from Page 3)
Quidilig says that ‘passion’ and ‘dedication’ of the people inspired the council to launch the campaign. Quidilig was asked about her sentiments on the Freshmen Recruitment ban, “Nakakagalit siya in a way kasi bakit mo pagbabawalan sumali ang mga estudyante na sumali sa mga organisasyon? Karapatan naman naming yun diba? Ang pinaglalaban kasi dito ay ang karapatan nating mga estudyante na magdesisyon.” (It angers
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require the student to take the finals,"she said. She added that these challenges would sometimes hinder the students from joining the STRASUC, “We do it for the love of sport but sometimes it becomes hard to be a member.” Moreover, AJ Villar, a member of the table tennis varsity also shared the same sentiments as she finds it difficult to find the balance between studying and training. “Our training starts at 6pm and ends at 9pm. Most of the time I am already tired to study after coming home from training,” Villar said. “Honestly speaking, we don’t gain anything from joining the varsity kasi hindi naman kami under a scholarship. It’s just really the passion that drives us to play for the university.” Villar expressed. Additionally, Villar stated that because of the free tuition, their budget has also been cut. The other tournamentts that they joined outside the university used to be funded but now “we pay for it ourselves”.”
(From Top to Bottom) Badminton team with one gold, three silver, and four bronze medals. Swimming team with seven gold, seven silver, and two bronze medals. Lawn Tennis team with two gold and three Support from the university bronze medals. Archery Team with During the previous one silver and two bronze medals. STRASUC varsity teams (Photos by DHK) me because why will you prohibit students from joining organizations? It’s their right to join? What we’re fighting for here is the right of students to decide.) She explained that many Freshmen want to join organizations, “Madami naman kasi ang may gusto. Madami ang gusto mag organisa, madami ang gustong magpaorganisa ng mga estudyante pero may ban na wala namang tangible evidence. I find that very infuriating.” (There are many students who want to join organizations but there is a ban that is not supported by
any evidence.) She further claimed that OSA has no tangible evidence to support the claim that organizations are the leading reason for dismissal of students. “Wala naman kasi talagang prinovide na tangible evidence ang OSA. Where are the numbers? Where is the data?” (OSA is not providing evidence) Quidilig said. Quidilig believes that organizations are alternative spaces for learning. She reminded students of their principles and motivations behind joining organizations, “Manindigan ka sa principles
were provided with the transportation to and from the venue. Each of them were also provided with a budget to cover their everyday meals. The university was also able to provide varsity uniforms aside from moral support, Villar described. “The university provided our transportation to and from Sta. Cruz [so] students who had exams were able to go back to the campus thanks to the shuttle.” Argosino said. However, despite the allowance given to them during STRASUC, Villar stated that the full promised amount of pocket money was not given to all the athletes. “The admin promised us that a certain amount of pocket money will be given to is. Pero hindi nabigay yung full amount sa amin. Ang ginawa nila, they only gave us money kung ilang araw kami nag-stay sa venue.” Villar explained that she and the others who opted to go back to the campus after their competitions were no longer able to get the full promised amount. Only those who were able to stay at the venue for the whole duration of STRASUC were able to get the full amount. [P] na mayroon ka, and dapat pag sumali ka sa isang organization, hind mo dapat pakawalan yung mga principles na mayroon ka. Always welcome learning kasi ang pagkatuto ay hindi nakakulong sa apat na sulok ng classroom. Wag niyong ikulong ang mga sarili ninyo.” (Be faithful to your principles and if you join an organization, you should not lose your principles. Learning is always welcome because learning is not confined to the four corners of the classroom. Do not limit yourself.) [P]
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Mga Manggagawa ng Magnolia, Nagkaisa at Tumindig Laban sa Pananamantala WORDS l MACKIE VALENZUELA
Matapos ang halos 30 taong pananahimik, nagpasya ang mga manggagawa ng Magnolia sa Trece Martires, Cavite na tuldukan na ang pagiging pasibo sa kanilang mapagsamantalang mga tagapamahala. Noong nakaraang Setyembre, pumutok ang isang strike ng mga manggagawa ng Magnolia matapos maglunsad ang management nito ng iligal na pagtatanggal sa mga manggagawang kontraktwal. Isa sa mga iligal na tinanggal sa kaniyang trabaho ay si John Rey Valiao, na halos dalawang taon nang kontraktwal sa kompanyang Magnolia. Sinuspinde si Valiao ng pitong araw dahil sa unang offense o paglabag sa polisiyang bawal ang pagkakaroon ng mahabang kuko sa trabaho. Ayon kay Valiao, kapag sinasante ang isang manggagawa dapat ay binibigyan o pinapakita sa kanila ang Capital Requirement Regulation (CRR). Ang CRR ay isang dokumentong nilalaman ng mga polisiyang nilabag ng isang manggagawang tinanggal. Ayon kay Valiao, ang CRR ay dapat pinapakita o binibigay sa mga manggagawa. Ngunit hindi na sila pinahintulatan ng tagapamahala na makuha at makita ang CRR. Dagdag ni Valiao, kung sa dapat, sa ikalawang offense pa lamang siya dapat mahahatulan ng supsesiyon at ang CRR ang magpapatunay ng desisyon ng kaniyang suspensiyon. Ayon kay Valiao, isa lamang itong panggigipit ng management dahil isa siya sa mga kumwestiyon sa kanyang superbisor kung bakit hindi pa rin nareregularisa ng management ng Magnolia ang halos 156 na manggagawa nito. Dagdag pa ni Valiao ay pagbalik niya sa kanilang opisina upang kunin ang CRR sa management ay hindi
Piket-protesta ng mga Manggagawa ng Magnolia Laban sa Kontraktwalisasyon. (Kuha ni Mackie Valenzuela) na siya pinapasok ng gate ng pagawaan at hindi na rin nagawang makipag-usap pa sa mga namamahala. Pagtatago sa Kontraktwalisasyon Mandato ng Department Order 174 (DO 174) ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ang pagbawal sa mga kumpanya na magsagawa ng contractual hiring. Sa kabila nito, ikasampu ang Magnolia sa mga kumpanyang may kontraktwal na manggagawa sa Pilipinas na mayroong 2,248 ayon sa DOLE. Isa sa mga paraan ng management ng Magnolia upang takasan ikutan ang regularisasyon ay ang pagtatago ng ibang mga departamento upang hindi maisama sa listahan ng mga gagawing regular ireregular. “Tinago ‘yung mga pangalan namin, halos 156 na manggagawa [ang hindi nila binigay sa DOLE],” paliwanag ni Samuel Cajepe, isang manggagawang isang taon at anim na buwan nang kontraktwal sa expansion department ng Magnolia. Ayon pa kay Cajepe, kulang kulang ang benepisyong natatanggap ng mga kontraktwal na manggagawa sa Magnolia. Bukod pa rito, maari rin silang matanggal
mula sa trabaho sa kahit anong oras dahil sa ‘endo’ (end of contract). Pagkaltas sa Sahod at Overtime Ayon sa mga manggagawa kinakapos ang Magnolia sa bilang ng mga trabahador na dapat na gumagawa sa isang departamento. Dahil dito, ang isang manggagawa ay napipilitang magtrabaho ng mas higit marami pa na trabaho sa loob ng iisang araw. Sa kabila nito, P373.00 lamang ang sinasahod nila kada araw. Dahil sa kakapusan nito, napipilitan ang karamihan sa kanila na mag-overtime. “Minsan wala akong kapalitan sa trabaho ko. Sa micro mix, dalawa lang kaming naghahalo. Nagkakaroon ako ng 36-hours na duty minsan,” pagsasalaysay ni Cajepe. Ang dapat na walong oras sa isang araw ay nagiging 32 hanggang 40 na oras, katumbas ng apat na araw ng paggawa para sa isang manggagawa ng Magnolia. Ang puyat at pagod ng pag-overtime nila ay nagiging sanhi ng kanilang pagkakasakit. Isinasaad sa Labor Code of the Philippines na dapat pinoprotektahan ng employer ang kanilang mga manggagawa mula sa mga aksidente at pagkakasakit na
dulot ng kanilang trabaho. Sa kabila nito, isa sa mga trabahador ng Magnolia umano ang nadisgrasya sa loob ng pagawaan ngunit hindi siya nakatanggap ng sapat na suportang medical mula sa kompanya kanya. “Sabi ng nurse, ipa-CT scan daw kasi malalim nga raw ang sugat…ang ginawa lang, binigyan lang ng first aid,” ani Ramil Colimar na halos dalawang taon nang nagtatrabaho sa Magnolia. Hindi rin sumasapat sa mga manggagawa ng Magnolia ang nakukuha nilang P373.00 kada araw na sahod. Ayon sa IBON foundation, lagpas P1,000.00 kada araw ang kailangang kitain ng isang manggagawa mula sa pamilya ng lima upang makaraos sa pang araw-araw na buhay. “Galit na nga ang misis ko sa akin dahil nagbenta na kami ng mga gamit dahil sa kakapusan… utang palang baun na baon na kami,” kwento ni Ramil. Si Ramil lamang ang nagpapakain sa kanilang pamilyang may apat na miyembro. Nagtatrabaho rin siya upang mapaaral ang kanyang mga kapatid at masustentuhan ang pangangailangan ng kanyang dalawang taong gulang na kapatid.
Maliban sa kakarampot na sahod at kawalan ng benepisyo, paulit-ulit din ang pagkaltas ng management sa kanilang sinasahod dahil sa mga benepisyo na hindi naman nararamdaman ng mga manggagawa, ayon sa unyon ng manggagawa ng Magnolia. “Halos dalawang daang piso (P200.00) ang ibinabawas sa amin kada araw para sa medikal na benepisyo pero ang health card namin ay nakacancel at hindi pa ibinibigay,” pahayag ni Ka Rafy, president ng Progressive Workers Union-Ilaw at Buklod ng Manggagawa (PWU-IMB). Pagtindig at Paglaban sa Kontraktwalisasyon Taong 2016 nang mamulat ang mga manggagawa ng Magnolia sa katotohanan ng pananamantala ng kanilang management. Nagdesisyon sila na magtayo ng sariling unyon upang tumindig para sa kanilang mga karapatan bilang manggagawa. Nagsimula lamang ang unyon sa 30 na katao ngunit ngayon ay matagumpay na nakapagkasa ng strike ang mga manggagawa upang labanan ang pagsasamantala ng agency, management, at ng Magnolia. Bagamat hinaharap ang mga isinampang kaso ng management, ang mga lidermanggagawa ay tuluy-tuloy pa rin ngayon sa pag-pipiket sa harap ng planta kada alasais ng umaga hanggang alasotso ng gabi at sa paggawa ng mga ligal na aksyon laban sa kontraktwalisasyon. “Kung kagaano kami katagal nanahimik ay ganoon kabilis ang magiging paglawak ng aming unyon at pagdami ng mga manggagawang titindig upang makamit namin ang regularisasyon at karapatan sa mabuting sahod,” patapos na mensahe ni Ka Rafy. [P]
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CNA benefits delayed, released post-Holidays for UPLB despite PDLC promise WORDS l MARK ERNEST FAMATIGAN PHOTO | JOHN ALBERT PAGUNSAN
In the midst of the 2018 Lantern Parade in Diliman, UP President Danilo L. Concepcion (PDLC) promised to all UP employees that the annual P25,000 Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) benefit would be released before Christmas. However, this was left undelivered until January 3, 2019 when the fringe benefits were disbursed for UPLB employees. The CNA in the context of the university is an agreement between the All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) and the All UP Workers Union (AUPWU) with the UP administration. This agreement is formed out of the negotiation between rank-and-file employees, and contains provisions concerning the fringe benefits of UP employees—from faculty members, research and extension specialists, and workers. In the past, CNA benefits were brought into dialogue every three years. The dialogue would begin with a comprehensive and researched proposal from the union to be submitted to the UP admin. It is the admin’s task to then review the proposal and study its feasibility, and in return would propose an alternative amount or completely reject the proposal—so as long as it is justified and discussed. However, this isn’t the case for the 2018 CNA fringe benefits.
Weak Admin Initiative In UP, there are only two bargaining units representing the employees—AUPAEU and AUPWU. The two units are supposed to coordinate and address the problems concerning the welfare of UP employees, and multiple issues concerning the agreement were confronted by the two last December. A meeting between the
bargaining units ideally consists of the AUPEAU and AUPWU chairpersons, the secretaries, and the faculty and staff regent. Meanwhile, the UP admin determines who sits on their behalf. In some cases, it is the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Janette Silva, AUPAEU chairperson, claimed that there was always trouble when it came to scheduling dialogues and admin representation. “There was always a difficulty in scheduling dialogues, some occurrences being that the UP admin failed to be present for the dialogues,” Silva said in an interview. Such issues would be undermined when compared to the times that the UP President chose not to honor the compromises despite his authority in choosing the negotiators. “Those who sit in the dialogues are people who were supposed to speak on the UP President’s behalf. There were even times that since no proposal was crafted on the admin’s behalf, the meeting would not continue.” Silva said. Budget Legalities In the case of last year’s CNA, the UP admin proposed to disburse the P25,000 benefit in two tranches—P10,000 and P15,000— before and after the holidays. This was agreed upon by the workers’ union, but was challenged by AUPAEU and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), since there is no guarantee that the latter half of the benefits would be distributed. This was due to the DBM Budget Circular No. 2018-5— stating that it should be a “one-time benefit”, and must not be granted not earlier than December 15, 2018. Silva stated that such terms
would be inconvenient—especially for the holidays. “For some faculty na mataas sweldo, okay lang siguro ‘yon. But for the workers with low salary grade whom were expecting to use it for the holiday season, it isn’t,” Silva said. Tony Salcedo, AUPWU chairperson added that the workers’ union had a separate dialogue with UP admin, and that they had different terms agreed upon for the CNA incentives. “Nagkaroon kasi ng separate negotiation ang AUPWU at AUPAEU ngunit sa mungkahi ng unyon, iisa lang naman ang pinaglalaban namin. Pag dating sa ibang benepisyo, nagkakaiba na ng opinyon ng mga unyon - sa grocery allowance, Annual Incentive Grant (AIG), at rice allowance,” Salcedo said in an interview. Salcedo also claimed that there were additional amounts included for the CNA benefits. “Sa negosasyon ng AUPWU last year, nagmungkahi ang panel ng UP na ang kaya nilang i-omento ay amount na 3.9k. Tinanong [ng workers’ union] kung pwede ba na ang P3,900 ay idagdag sa papalapit na grocery allowance sa December dahil ang AIG at rice allowance ay nabigay na. Ibinigay ang P3,900 na dati ito ay naikarga mula P4,500, at ito ay naging P8,400,” he said. He added that AUPAEU’s terms were different compared to the AUPWU’s settled amount. “Nung December sabi ni PDLC, ‘Tapusin na natin ang negosasyon. Dagdagan ko ng another P600 yung P3,900 para sa rice subsidy’. Sumatotal umabot ng P4,500 ang omento. Nagkasundo na kami noon sa UP panel na iyon ang kabuohan, ngunit nalaman namin na ang Academic Union ay hindi natanggap ang P4,500, at ang
kanilang mungkahi ay P5,200,” Salcedo claimed. He also explained that there was a miscommunication between the UP admin and AUPAEU which became a factor in the release of benefits. “Para sa AUPWU, kung sakaling ma-grant ang mungkahi ng acad union, tanggap namin iyon. Ang nangyari, parang ‘di nagkaunawaan yung sa part ni PDLC at sa Academic Union kasi nung nag-set ng meeting sila nung December, sinabi ni PDLC na dadagdagan niya ng P700 ang P4,500. Nagkaroon ng announcement sa AUPAEU sa kanilang mungkahi noong January, kaso sa pagkakaintindi ni PDLC sinabi niyang yung P600, dadagdagan lang daw ng P100. Sinabi namin sa admin na malaking gulo ‘yan,” he explained. Good Faith Bargaining The union adheres to the principles of ‘Good Faith Bargaining’. Essentially, it means being able to reach a compromise after careful deliberation between sides. Silva described it as such: “The principle of Good Faith Bargaining means being prepared to provide justification for demands. It is anchored on the principle that you’re not simply asking for increases for the sake of doing so, but since it is the product of consultation and negotiation in dialogues. Hindi dapat nagtutunggali ang dalawang side dahil lang nanghihingi ang mga empleyado – since nakabatay ito sa mga lehitimong kalagayan at pangangailangan. Nakakaabot ang admin at mga empleyado sa isang desisyon because nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na makita ang kalagayan ng dalawang side.” [P]
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bungkalan WORDS l MARJ PENAFLORIDA GRAPHICS | CHRISTABEL GENOVANA
Our environment is slowly deteriorating. May it be animal extinction, deforestation or the increase in pollution. It has reached a level wherein actions must be done to prevent the situation from worsening. One of the contributors to the current condition is improper waste disposal. Attempts are being made to combat this such as programs for proper waste segregation. A call for people to recycle and make the most out of the available resources. With this comes the question: what about the ones that cannot be recycled? There exists landfills where heaps of unrecyclable trash are disposed. A place where garbage is left to rot until the soil is able to absorb it. With the predominance of the use of plastic and unrecyclable materials in the manufacturing and production of goods, most of today’s waste end up in these landfills. However, for a country that is rich in land, where exactly are these landfills located? At Barangay Imok, Caluan, Laguna a small farming community resides at the foot of a mountain. Some of
the residents of this community has lived in the area ever since. These farmers makes use of the mountains and the surrounding land to raise crops that they will eventually sell for livelihood. A peaceful community that enjoys and appreciate farming. This area is to be converted into a landfill. The landfill project threatens to displace the residents of the community disrupting their day-to-day lives. Children attending nearby schools would have to transfer, farmers would lose their source of livelihood - families would be uprooted from their homes with nowhere to go. Is the amount of garbage yet to be disposed of that necessitates another landfill to be made- for the improvement of our environmental situationenough reason to neglect these individuals? . With the fall of a mountain, rises another in its place. Forwarding this project would mean flattening a portion of the mountains- if not
all- to make space for the unrecycled trash. The higher the pile gets and the more trash that accumulates, the greater the possibility of it contaminating the water through the surrounding rivers, which is also connected to Laguna Bay. With the destruction of the mountains, comes the risk of landslides which may scatter the accumulated garbage throughout the surrounding area. Forwarding this project is forwarding environmental degradation. At what cost should a goal be pursued? The environment’s in jeopardy,
a need for a solution exists; rights are violated, a need to stand arises. The fight for land is a familiar one. A fight like many others before it. Bungkalan, the cultivation of available land, is being done by the farmers of Barangay Imok as a form of resistance. An act that best represents the sentiments of these people: We will not leave. We will not relent. This land is ours. [P]
8
LATHALAIN
UPLB PERSPECTIVE
NOBYEMBRE 2018-MARSO 2019
WHY ARE THERE CHINESE WORKERS & PROJECTS FUNDED BY CHINA IN THE PHILIPPINES? WORDS l JOHN ALBERT PAGUNSAN PHOTOS l WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
What is Official Development Assistance? Official Development Assistance (ODA) is funding provided by developed member states of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for ‘welfare and economic development of developing countries’ through ‘grants’ and ‘loans’. China, a non-OECD member, doesnot adopt the OECD definition. The Foreign Service Institute of the Philippines,an agency under the management of the Department of Foreign Affairs, notes that China’s ‘ODAs’ intend to export Chinese economic activity and to spur China’s growth rather than promote welfare and economic development in underdeveloped nations. The China Export-Import Bank (EXIM) requires half of the procurement of concessional loans to occur in China, which means materials, labor, designs, and other plans associated to the project are made in Mainland China before being exported to the underdeveloped countries. According to ECA Watch, an international NGO and watchdog on export credit agencies, the China EXIM Bank is a government bank whose mandate is to manage ‘export and import of Chinese mechanical and electronic products’ as well as ‘assist Chinese companies’ in projects outside China. The bank also facilitates relationships between China and other countries regarding economics and trade. China’s foreign aid is a mix of grants, zero-interest loans and concessional loans. China’s ODA is part of its ‘One Belt, One Road’ policy.
What is the ‘One Belt, One Road’ Policy? The ‘One Belt, One Road, (OBOR) policy of China is a massive economic investment project priced at almost $1 trillion. The project aims to construct maritime and land routes through construction of infrastructure programs in different countries. The end goal is to use these routes to transport Chinese manufactured goods around the world.
According to British newspaper The Guardian, China aims to imitate the United States’ Marshall Plan. The Marshall Plan was a massive reconstruction project in Europe initiated by the United States after World War II. It did not only rebuild cities but also reduced trade barriers, made an impact in economic policies of European countries, and led to the rise of institutions that monitored growth. One of the Plan’s main goals was to combat the Soviet Union. Economists, political scientists, and foreign policy advisers speculate that OBOR is China’s plan to win the favors of Asian and African countries in order to counter the dominance of the United States. The Guardian’s Lily Kuo and Niko Kommenda are concerned that China’s OBOR is a form of ‘economic imperialism’, especially, towards countries with less economical and political power.
What are the projects that China is funding in the Philippines? According to Business World, the following are China’s ODA projects in the Philippines: Chico River Pump Irrigation Project PHP 2.7 billion New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project - PHP 10.9 billion Philippine National Railway South Commuter Line - PHP 151.3 billion Other projects that China has funded Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers in Mindanao, Subic-Clark Railway, Mindanao River Flood, Rehabilitation Efforts in Marawi An Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation worth PHP 3.7 billion pesos financed two Pasig River bridges and the Davao City Expressway project.
How much will the ODA projects cost the Philippines and China? Philippine Star reports that Senator Recto pointed out that the cost of ODA projects cost more than locally funded ones - the difference on the price per lane per kilometer between Subic-Clark-Tarlac
Expressway (an ODA project) and TarlacPangasinan-La Union Expressway (funded by Philippine private and local banks) was at PHP 130 million. SCTEX was funded by Japan.
What are the economic impacts of China’s ODA and other funded projects? A 2017 Forbes article speculates that the Philippine debt of $167 billion can explode to $452 billion. Venezuela took massive loans from China to fund the country’s lavish government spending - a decade later, the country suffers with high inflation rate, widespread poverty and hunger, and a political crisis. Mongolia, who also took massive loans from China, paid coal for their loans. Similarly, Sri Lanka took massive infrastructure aid and loans and is now facing a debt crisis with empty Chinafunded airports and seaports. To pay debts and loans, Sri Lanka has agreed to lease massive amounts of land and public assets to India for a 99-year period. Among those public assets are a strategic seaport. In an article by Quartz, the Center for Global Development has cited countries whose debts have ballooned as well as at risk of being unable to pay their loans - Djibouti, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Montenegro. Meanwhile, Nyshka Chandran of American news agency CNBC reports that in Laos and Turkmenistan the Chinafunded projects has ignited an anti-China sentiment as the projects chose to hire Chinese workers over local workers. Chandran also notes that if the projects hired locals, the local workers would be faced with dire working conditions as China-funded projects were found to be non-compliant to local labor regulations. China Labor Watch and Washington Post reports that some China-funded projects areunderpaid and even exploited Chinese workers. BusinessWorld’s
Diana
Mendoza
highlights Brunei’s case wherein Chinese workers were hired to work on local projects funded by China. The government of Brunei allowed the hiring of foreign workers despite a local unemployment rate of 6.9%. She also cites cases in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos wherein civil society’s oppose Chinafunded projects because of environmental damages and displacement of locals.
What has been the public’s reaction to China-funded projects? A year ago, large demonstrations have been held in Vietnam against economic projects and zones that benefit China. Asian Nikkei, a news agency, reports that protesters destroyed shops and factories to show their anger and dismay over the government of Vietnam’s deals and relationship with China. Vietnam is among countries with a South China Sea territorial dispute with China. The economic zones’ openings were postponed. In Kyrgyzstan, the public demonstrated against China after the influx of Chinese workers, rise on national debt to China, and loss of electricity for five days in the capital city after a Chinese firm upgraded their power grid. Last year, a hundred Zambians protested against the purchase of a local company by a Chinese buyer. In November 2018, the Social Weather Station released a survey showing that Filipinos maintain opposition to China over the West Philippine Sea dispute. The survey also showed that majority of Filipinos are aware of China’s abuses of Filipino fishermen and that Filipinos had a ‘poor’ trust rating towards China. In a PulseAsia March 2018 survey, Filipinos considered improving and increasing workers’ pay and conditions as the most urgent national concern. [P]
UPLB PERSPECTIVE
KULTURA
NOBYEMBRE 2018-MARSO 2019
9
“ML” Review:
never again WORDS l MAC ANDRE ARBOLEDA PHOTOS l FILM STILLS OF ‘ML’ FROM THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE
“Ano, kinilig ba kayo?”, asks Benedict Mique, the director of ML (2018), after a 4PM screening that took place in the DL Umali Auditorium. ML is the latest film on Martial Law alongside Kip Oebanda’s “Liway” which came out last year at the 14th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. Dubbed as a “horror thriller” by critics, it stars Eddie Garcia as a retired METROCOM Colonel who tortures a young Tony Labrusca (and eventually his friend and girlfriend) because he has Alzheimer’s and he thinks it’s still the Marcos Martial Law.
The film’s premise is made interesting in the beginning: the student played by Labrusca, of course, was all in favor of Martial rule. He’s tasked to interview any person who has lived during that time, and he chooses his neighbor, the former military officer. Clearly, there is nothing romantically exciting about the film—moments into entering the Colonel’s house, Labrusca’s character is already strapped in a chair, bleeding. This is the part where it stopped bring interesting because we know that the
BOOK REVIEW: KILLING TIME IN A WARM PLACE BY JOSE DALISAY
WORDS l JOHN ALBERT PAGUNSAN
Renowned writer and critic - Sir Butch Dalisay, recounts his life as a student activist during the Martal Law period. Through his fictional characters, he journeys with readers in Philippine society prior to the Martial Law declaration, during his arrest and his subsequent release, and after Marcos’ ouster. It is an enjoyable book, not only for its power to remind the reader of what life was like but also its capacity to engage the reader with the moral dilemmas and the realities that Butch and other Filipinos who lived during the Martial Law period faced. More than a book about historical remembrance, it is one that confronts students about the world after university life. From humid hideout houses to torture chambers and finally to the streets of UP Diliman and Makati, Butch showcased the metamorphosis of a student molded by their time and consequently by the moral decision they made. Perhaps, Butch’s story can help students in a Duterte regime where many university students are burning with zeal to serve and change the world but end up exhausted, defeated, and disappointed by the worlds’ morals. Butch gives students some stories behind the famous Alone Together line, “Di ko talaga alam ang nangyari.” [P]
director has made his point. Later the main character was made to swallow a cloth soaked in the Colonel’s piss. They were beaten-up, water-boarded, burned with cigarettes, sexually violated, electrocuted. One of the characters’ dead body was thrown in the streets: “Huwag tularan, pusher.” It’s a sadistic feature that visualizes punishment for those who lacked the empathy to side with the Martial Law victims (the comfortable, the middleclass); and yet, the film itself exhibits the lack of empathy by turning these atrocities into an
expensive, fictional, 90-minute horror show. Several questions arise in ML: How would Martial Law victims feel if they saw the film? Who benefits from this film? Is it ethical to turn real life cruelty into stylized entertainment? Are the documented accounts/ daily news available online not enough? Aside from producing/ consuming films about Martial Law, what are better ways to bring justice to the victims of the past? And more importantly, how should we better campaign so that these atrocities will stop and never happen again?
BOOK REVIEW: SIX OF CROWS BY LEIGH BARDUGO
WORDS l GERSHOM MABAQUIAO Set in a fictional world of magic, crime, and political conflict between nations of Bardugo’s Grishaverse, Six of Crows tells the story of a teenage criminal prodigy as he gathers a six-person team to perform a high-stakes heist surrounding a stimulant drug that turns magical folk–the Grisha–into mindless nature-defying abominations. Success guarantees unspeakable reaches for the team if they manage to perform the heist before they take each other down. One interesting element of the book is the shifting dynamics between the characters, all of which do not have clear loyalties to each other, but ultimately have more humanity in them than those who claim to care for the greater good of their people. It also speaks volumes in how it depicts the treatment of Grisha by different nations–as soldiers, as evil creatures, as fascinating yet worthless animals–a notable depiction of scenarios also happening in our world, especially toward people who exhibit unconventional knowledge, beliefs, and capabilities. Compared to its preceding series, the Grisha Trilogy, Six of Crows envisions a grittier, more dangerous world where virtue and vice, good and evil, are not as dichotomous as we think. It is a book that reflects and gives a cynical explanation of the injustice of living. “Because our crime is existing. Our crime is what we are.” [P]
10
OPINYON
UPLB PERSPECTIVE
NOBYEMBRE 2018-MARSO 2019
NO FURY SO LOUD
WORDS | BEA ANONUEVO
Ronald Cardema, subservience is never the answer The greatest burden that a UP student faces is being associated with the UP identity. Though students do not wear uniforms, they cannot run away from this identity. Being an Iskolar ng Bayan means being under the spectacle of many because one mistake means a betrayal to the integrity of the taxpayer’s money which is unfortunately anticipated. Many students after graduation have fallen bait to the bid for power. The most recent is National Youth Commission chair Ronald Cardema, an alumnus of UPLB, whose statement bids for the revoking of the scholarship of “anti-government” students.
Through this pandering for the President’s good graces, Cardema is the personification of shame. Cardema's statement creates double standards for UP students that one can not dissent while one is utilizing their right to education. His statement is against the very heart of what it means to be an Iskolar ng Bayan. Unsuprisingly, his statement is accalaimed and approved by the President's supporters. It is disgraceful to think that in a country with a history of hardfought democracy, people in power demand that the youth succumb to submission, and surrender their thoughts to ideas that favor the government.
KWENTONG FRESHIE
Scholars are threatened to conform to decisions they do not necessarily agree with—scholars are threatened not to act when the marginalized are further disenfranchised and reduced into smaller versions of themselves, when these very scholars know that it is in the power of the majority to overturn the wrong decision of the few. If the youth are raised to think only in unison to the wants of the few, then the democratic future of the country is in danger. It is in this acquiescence that voices lose their power to call for change. Thus, the powers of the people to question and dissent, essences of
a democracy, crumble. It is without honor that people like him even dare to suggest such thoughts, to instill fear in the brightest minds to silence them by revoking their hard-earned rights and achievements. Ronald Cardema insists on a future wherein he is a voice of influence -- but his influence only serves his interests and that of the government. No longer can it be said that politicians sit in power to deliver the advocacies of the public; they sit in power to remain in power. What stops this from happening are the movements of the youth, of the new generation that has learned from the mistakes of the past. [P]
WORDS | JUAN CARLOS MANUEL
Di umano’y ‘Open Tambayan’ “Pare, tara open tambs?” “Pero yung program bukas na pasahan”, tutol ko. “Baka naman iurong pasahan. Kailangan kong pagkasyahin 200 ko ng dalawang araw, samahan mo na ‘kami.” Lumipas ang limang klase, napagtanto naming kailangan naming kumain. Minsan malilimutan nang kumain sa sobrang busy. Minsan makikita ang sariling nakatitig sa prof sa sobrang gutom habang naglelecture na wala kang naiintindihan. “Oo nga pala, parang gutom na din ako. Tena.” “Kakakain lang naming apat kanina-” “So iiwan niyo kong mag-isa e nahihiya ako...” “Samahan niyo na ako, sabi sakin ni kuya AJ may lechon daw” “Eeeh may lechon?” Tila isang mahimalang salita, sabaysabay kaming tumungo sa isang open tamb, hindi kalayuan mula sa FO Santos Bldg. Magkakasama kami pero kanyakanyang may phone, may kani-kanyang mundo. Lumalamig na ang hangin dahil mag-aalasais na ng gabi. Maya-maya, nakapila na kami at masasabi naming isa kami sa mga nahuling dumating dahil mahaba na ang pila: o sadyang wala kaming masingitan. Nalowbat ang phone ko, at wala na akong mapag-abalahan.
“Pre wala naman akong nakikitang lechon” “Malay mo kinakatay pa lang” “Narinig mo ba yung unusual noises ng mga baboy kapag kinakatay? Kaya I turned into being a vegan immediately.” “Oo nga parang halinghing ng-” “Ano ba yan guys honor and excellence”, sabay tawanan. Minsan mangangasim ka sa mga naririnig mong usapan. Aaminin naming nagkakaroon din kami ng mga maliligalig na usapan, pero hindi kami nagsisigawan at sa maraming nakakarinig. Pwede ding maging dating place ang isang open tamb. “Uy ano daw sound ng dog?” “Aw aw” “Ano naman daw yung sa cat?” “Meow meow” “Ano naman daw ang sigaw ng puso ko?” “Joke ba to?” “Ikaw, ikaw” “Uy astig matry nga din sa crush ko” Mabubusog ka sa mga tanawin sa open tambs. Habang nakapila, maari mong marinig ang usapan ng iba’t ibang uri ng estudyante, mga GC, mga happygo-lucky, at magkaka-org. Minsan mapapatingin ka din sa mga direksyong maririnig mo, kung saan malapit ang CR, kung nasaan ang tinataguang prof sa thesis, at kung saan may “yummy”
pero hindi maaring kainin. “Pre plato raw” Nasa harap na pala kami ng nagpapamigay ng pagkain. Masasabing “efforted” at bongga ang open tambs na napuntahan. May gulay, mga lutong kakaiba, kakanin, at ang inaabangan naming lechon. Pagkaupo, tatlo na lang pala kaming natira. “Bakit tatlo na lang tayo, nasan si B*** at M*****?” “Umuna na sila, may open tamb daw sa Jollibee. Kainan din daw.” “Eh, may open tamb sa Jollibee? Wala naman akong nakitang announcement” “Bayaan mo na sila, kain na tayo tas puntahan na lang daw natin sila sa Paponei’s”. Kumakain kami at madami pa din ang nakapila, ngunit nagkakaubusan na ng kanin. Kulang-kulang mga tatlumpung tao pa ang nakapila, ngunit halos pigapiga na lamang ng kaldero ang natitira. Natapos na kaming kumain nang naubos na ang kanin, at masasabing paubos na din ang ulam, marahil ay hindi natantya ang dami ng kakain. “Pre mag CR lang ako, pagbalik ko puntahan na natin sila.”, sabi ko sa kanila. Medyo madilim ang papuntang CR, siguro dahil sa hindi din ako sanay sa lugar na iyon ng campus. Madilim
ngunit may ilaw ang CR ng babae. Bago ako makarating ng CR, may naulinigan akong nag-uusap sa malayo. “Akala ko sapat yung supply ng kanin? Diba klinaro ko to sa inyo kahapon na hindi mauubos ang supply putang*na mo? Paano kung malaman ng alum?” “Ang alam ko po kasi magdadala si J**” “Ayusin mo pinaggagagawa mo ha!....” At ilan pang malulutong na mura ang narinig habang naglalabas ng sama ng loob. Si ate na nagpapamigay ng kanin kanina, umiiyak ngayon sa harap ng mahihinuha kong nakatataas sa kanilang org. Pero wala naman akong magagawa para makisawsaw, problema nila yan at kailangang malutas. Pagdating namin sa Paponei’s, wala pa din sila tatlumpung minuto matapos ng nakatakdang pagkikita. “Pare nasa Jollibee pa din kami. Akala namin open tamb, org orientation pala. Na scam kami, wag niyo na kaming antayin. Di pa kami nakain”, text ni B*** sa akin. Lumipas ang gabing habang naglalakad kaming busog pauwi, nagaabang pa din ang mga naiwan naming kasama sa pagkaing dalawang oras nilang naintay. Sabi ko kasi sa kanila, boycott JFC. Ayaw makinig. [P]
UPLB PERSPECTIVE
OPINYON
NOBYEMBRE 2018-MARSO 2019
UNDER SCRUTINY
11
WORDS | SOPHIA PUGAY
Gloria, Sara, & Imee: Elite Feminism of the late dictator, Imee Marcos. Whilst supporters of the president would say that this is “women’s empowerment”, this is more likely to be an abuse of power and a highlight to the country’s ever-growing issue with impunity. Recently, Gloria
“
Yes, women are in power, but are all of tem bringing other women up with them?
“
It has been noticeable that there has been an increase in the numbers of women who are in politics and still, it continues to rise. In some cases, this would be considered as a big step for it demonstrates empowerment for women and it can be perceived as the triumph of feminism. In the Philippines, that is not the case. Yes, women are in power, but are all of them united in bringing other women up with them? Some prominent women in Philippine politics do what is contrary in the fight of women, and instead, becomes a reinforcing force in the oppression against women. A few names would come afloat with regards to this topic: former president, Gloria Arroyo; Duterte’s daughter, Sara; and the daughter
Macapagal Arroyo was appointed as the first female House speaker, the fourth highest position in the land. I a different context, this would be praised because a position that was previously held by men only, was given to a woman. However,
MUMBLINGS
the political scandals and human rights abuses associated with her nineyear presidency cannot and will not be forgotten. Her rule resulted to the killings of more than a thousand activists and under her watch, the Philippines ranked as one of the three most dangerous places on earth for journalistds as 58 people were massacred, 32 of them journalists by her main allies in Mindanao, the Ampatuan clan. She was also charged with graft and corruption while she was still president. Sara Duterte, currently the mayor of the southern city of Davao, keeps on tolerating her father’s misogynistic actions. She never spoke up against the many times that her father made disrespectful jokes towards women and his continuous act of devaluing and degrading females.
The way she speaks also resembles her father’s as she threatens her enemies with bodily harm. She once even punched a local official in the face and justifying that act by saying that it’s for the rights of poor urban dwellers facing eviction. Let us also not forget that as mayor, she ordered her policemen to use force against protesting activists and agricultural workers. And as for Imee Marcos, she wants the Filipino people to “move on” and forget about her father’s cruel dictatorship and insisted that she and her other siblings weren’t aware of what was happening during Martial Law. She was already of legal age during martial law and she was even given the privilege to handle TV stations including BBC. She was well aware of the activists that were murdered and that were “disappeared” during the
ML regime. Human rights violations were rampant as people suffered from electrocution, suffocation, burning, beatings and rape. She was even sued in Hawaii for the abduction, torture and murder of the Mapuan, Archimedes Trajano, who questioned her credentials to lead the Kabataang Barangay. All that and the only response from Marcos’ daughter is for people to “move on”. Clearly, this is not women empowerment nor feminism in any way. The three- Gloria, Sara and Imee, just happen to be women whose line of interests bring down not only women but all Filipinos. It cannot be women empowerment if they don’t stand up against misogyny, and ignore the plights of citizens. As Inday Varona said, “There is women’s empowerment, and there are simply powerful women”. [P]
WORDS | JOHN ALBERT PAGUNSAN
Student councils’ blindspots & gaps on student needs The mandate of student councils is to not only defend and represent student interests but also find ways and initiate programs that improve student welfare. Since my Freshman year, here have been many gaps and blindspots that student councils have yet to fulfill and discover. A student council can only be truly representative when it is in touch with its constituents. Student safety is primary of all concerns. There have been legends, rumors, and unverified news of students being mentally, physically, and sexually assaulted in campus by students, faculty, univeristy personnel, or civilians. These cases need redress. These cases can be prevented by information campaigns and by cooperating with university offices with regards to
reporting and resolving cases that threaten the safety of students. Mental health is an important social issue that many student face yet there needs to be a comprehensive and consistent action from student councils with regards to demanding accountability from the administration and the government. The scarcity of mental health services and the financially deprived University Health Service have been richly discussed by students yet have been poorly addressed by student councils. Athletic and academic varsities face lack of training spaces, funding, and recognition from the administration. These student-athletes bring pride to the university yet they are neglected and
invisibilized by students. Student councils must be the first to represent and demand funding for these students. On-campus vendors and concessionaires have been displaced by the increasing prices of rent yet student councils have been silent on this issues. Vendors and concessionaires are forced to raise prices of their goods which thus imperil many underprivileged UP students' budgets. Food is an essential need for students yet it has been underlooked and undermined in university discussions on the improvement of student welfare. Sexual harassment and rape in the university stems from the lack of awareness campaigns. Survivors of sexual harassment and rape find few to no support
groups inside campus. It is glaring because sexual harassment and rape impair an individual's physical and mental states. Rumors and unverified news of Freshmen students victimized by such cases are alarming. The administration often chooses to be silent on the issue, it is then the responsibility of student leaders to demand discussions on sexual health. Sexually transmitted diseases and HIV-AIDS are a national concern yet in our progressive campus, there is no campaign or active discussion with regards to prevention, diagnosis, and support. Student artists and BA Communication Arts students face the lack of resources and venues to pursue programs and activities. Meanwile, STEM
students also face lack of supplies and venues for research activities. Student councils have promised to address this yet no tangible actions have been seen. The Textbook and Exchange Rental Center (TERC), an important academic service to students, has been ignored. Outdated textbooks lie inside the center. TERC has been the project of previous student councils to make academic needs such as spaces for learning and books more accessible to students. Student councils need to sustain TERC. If student councils deliberately choose to ignore the plight of studens, then it is a council that it is detached from the real conditions and issues of students. The students can wait but their patience is running out. [P]
THE [P]ROTEST FAIR IS ALIVE
PHOTOS l KRISTINE BAUTISTA, PAT ECHANO, MARK FAMATIGAN, JOHN ALBERT PAGUNSAN WORDS | JOHN ALBERT PAGUNSAN
UPLB February Fair 2019: Aklas continues the spirit of the fair as a protest against multiple oppressive institutions, acts and cultures in Philippine society. The fair is a platform for students, organizations, and locals to showcase art, talent, and advocacy. The fair continues to be free and open to the Los Baños and surrounding communities.