UPsurge: Justice For Yolanda Victims

UPsurge
System-wide Students Network

for Relief, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction

Katipunan ng mga Sangguniang Mag-aaral sa UP (KASAMA sa UP)
UP Manila School of Health Sciences in Palo Student Council
UP Visayas Tacloban College Student Council
Rationale

UPSURGE is a system-wide network of UP students who have been affected by Typhoon
Yolanda: victims, volunteers, advocates; whether individuals or organizations. This
network aims to centralize and coordinate the efforts of the Iskolar ng Bayan across the
UP System in order to strengthen the call for relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of
our units which have been devastated by the calamity. On a larger scale, UPSURGE is
also in unity with all the Filipino people in seeking justice for all those who have been
neglected by the state as can be seen in the absence of long-term and sustainable
plans which serve primarily the genuine development of the Filipino people.

Proposed by the UP Visayas Tacloban College Student Council and the UP Manila
School of Health Sciences in Palo Student Council at the 33
rd
National Congress of the
Katipunan ng mga Sangguniang Mag-aaral sa UP (KASAMA sa UP) and at the 38
th

General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) last May 23-27, 2014, at the UPV
Tacloban College, the establishment of UPSURGE signifies unity among all Iskolar ng
Bayan. This system-wide body of student leaders shall remain vigilant in all the future
endeavors of the University of the Philippines and the Philippine Government and
continue the assertion of promoting every citizens rights and welfare and its protection
from all forms of neglect and abandonment.

Since the resumption of classes last February, no other tangible measures of
rehabilitation and reconstruction have been facilitated by the UP System
Administration. This, in turn, greatly affects the quality of education and service that the
University commits itself to. Concrete actions must be undertaken prior to the
resumption of classes this August 2014.

How are our campuses?

Two of our campuses, UPV Tacloban College and UPM SHS in Palo, were greatly
devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda. After almost eight months, traces of the
catastrophe are still evident in both areas. We recognize that the UP Visayas
Administration has done considerable efforts; even extending to UPM SHS Palo.
However, much still needs to be done for both of these campuses.

For UPV Tacloban College

1. The UPVTC Library Building remains roofless until now. The school library is
located at the second floor and when it rains, the stairs to the library become
slippery, causing potential hazard to passers-by. The third floor of the same
building is a space being used for general assemblies and gatherings such as
student consultations, forums and symposiums as it is the biggest hall in the
campus.

2. Most classrooms have not been restored to function as it was before the
typhoon struck. There are no doors, windows, and electric fans, causing
tremendous heat especially during the summer. The Learning Resource
Center (LRC), our discussion room and some offices have been converted
into classrooms, in which, learning equipment and instruments such as
projectors, blackboards, and whiteboards are still lacking.

3. Around 80% of the covered walks were destroyed. The absence of shaded
areas becomes a problem nowadays especially with the unpredictable
weather patterns: extreme temperatures and torrential rains.

4. There is a shortage of computer units in the campus because the LRC was
totally washed out including most of the computer laboratories.

For UPM SHS Palo

1. Bunks which were put up inside the UPVTC campus serve as temporary
relocation for the School of Health Sciences. These structures are not
conducive for learning especially because they become extremely hot inside
during daytime. This condition disallows the students to concentrate in their
classes. As an added effect, professors tend to deliver their lessons with haste
so that the class could immediately escape the scorching heat inside. The
temporary relocation site is also lacking in bathrooms and lavatories.

2. Three of the 11 bunk houses were used as dormitories from February 19 to
May 5 of this year. The SHS faculty council decided to let the students vacate
the dorms because the bunks offer nothing but sub-optimal living conditions
to the occupants. There remains a need for student housing to be provided
by the University especially because the rates of the off-campus housing
facilities (boarding houses, rooms for rent, etc.) are much more costly.

3. Until now, no clearing operations of the debris in the SHS campus have been
conducted. The roof of the Administration Building which is partly composed
of asbestos is now exposed posing a threat to the residents living near the
area. This also poses danger to mothers, newborns, and healthworkers who
make use of the maternity and puericulture center situated within the
campus premises.

Our Initial Demands
1. Extend Assistance to all victims of Typhoon Yolanda who are part of the UP
Community

a. Countless citizens continue to suffer from the effects of the typhoons devastation. In
this light, UPSURGE also demands that the UP Administration extend its help and
support to ALL the members of the UP community (students, faculty, staff, REPS) who
reside in areas which were struck by the super typhoon (Leyte, Aklan, Iloilo, etc.). The
financial assistance provided to them in the second semester must be continued.
Apart from this, to ensure that all affected students continue their education in the
University, automatic waiver of tuition and other fees must be made.

2. Ensure student participation and representation in long-term plans
a. UPVTC
The Student Council is aware of the plans for UPVTC to be transferred to Sta. Elena.
However, no student representative was involved in the planning process which was
conducted. As major stakeholders of this institution, it is imperative that the students
be included in the brainstorming and conceptualizing. It is vital for the students to
have inputs with regard to decision-making as this will be of immense effect to their
learning. Student consultations are yet to be made, leaving us blinded with all these
tentative plans.

b. UPM SHS Palo
There is no clear plan regarding the long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction of
SHS Palo that the students are aware of. The UP Manila Administration has not come
up yet with any legal document with regard to the campus relocation. After Vice
Chancellor for Planning and Development Chiong claimed that the relocation site
will be in Sta. Elena as well, no other supporting legal document has been released.
The absence of this long-term plan creates uncertainty on the part of non-
government organizations who are willing to donate funds for the creation of
infrastructures.

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System-wide Students Network

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