PHOTO: UPV USC chairperson Elijah Estante calls on to the students gathered at the College Union Building to join them in the mobilization against the neoliberal attacks to education. Photo by Julia A. Gimenez
The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) was one with other constituent universities in campaigning against the “neoliberal attacks on education of the Filipino youth” by joining in the system-wide mobilization on October 13, 2016.
The University Student Council (USC) in partnership with the Rise for Education Alliance led a mobilization inside the university premises, urging the student body to walkout from their classes and join them in their cause. They were also joined by 17 student organizations, including fraternities, sororities, and college-based student councils.
They called for the junking of Socialized Tuition System (STS), eUP, and the increased lab and other school fees. According to Therese Samson, School of Technology representative, these are just some of the neoliberal attacks that are apparent in the university.
The walkout was followed by a program in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) car park where the chairpersons of participating student organizations gave their statements.
Meanwhile, when asked for a statement regarding those who frown upon mobilizations, USC chairperson Elijah Estante said that it’s a challenge for them to make others understand their cause “pero tuloy-tuloy lang ang pagmulat sa ila asta maintindihan nila nga ang cause ngaa ga-fight kita for our education is because it is rooted on the societal problems we are fighting today (but we will continue until they understand that the reason behind our fight for our education is rooted on the societal problems we are fighting today).”
Furthermore, Estante said that aside from the walkout, they are also having general assemblies and educational discussions to arouse the students to fight for the cause.
On the same day, a system-wide forum on the search of the next UP president was also conducted.
Written by Alahna Sy, Isabella Zerrudo
upvmediadotcom.wordpress.com 