Text by Angelou Mendoza
Photo by Sarah Hazel Moces Pulumbarit
The Research, Extension, and Professional Staff (REPS) of the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) convened for a referendum on April 3, 2025, to officially endorse and ratify the UPM REPS Manual for the approval of Chancellor Michael Tee, through Vice Chancellor for Research Leslie Michelle Dalmacio.
An overview of the main content of the REPS manual consists of five chapters: (I) Governance, Administration, and Classification of UPM REPS; (II) UPM REPS Appointment, Promotion, Tenure, and Separation from Service; (III) Working Conditions, Privileges, Benefits, and Incentives; (IV) UP Manila REPS Performance of Duties, Rights, and Privileges; and (V) Rights to Self-Organization of UPM REPS.
“The REPS of UP Manila wanted to have a manual that would provide guidance to the rules and regulations applicable to UPM,” UPM REPSA President Maria Clarisa Pascual said. According to Pascual, 2006 was the earliest attempt to come up with a manual through a collective effort, and the first draft was made in 2012. Noting that the first and most recent general assembly was last April 17, 2015. She hoped the event would be a monumental milestone by finally endorsing the manual for approval to Chancellor Michael Tee.
In response, Chancellor Tee reminded the REPS body of his commitment—
“Merit hindi kapit,”—highlighting 11 REPS plantilla items designated to qualified employees, recommending 17 REPS for permanency, and granting three (3) REPS of salary increase. “Ang manual na ito ay isang paraan upang ma-codify kung paano natin binibigyang halaga ang mga miyembro ng sektor ng REPSA sa ating komunidad at ang kanilang kontribusyon bilang miyembro ng UP Manila community. It was ‘upmated’ [citing the term from the manual] for the UP Manila community,” Chancellor Tee said.
Faculty Regent Early Sol Gadong affirmed REPS as valued intellectuals and leaders in the university, emphasizing the continued push for financial allocations and policy revisions deemed appropriate for REPS regardless of job status. “This is about recognizing that the people who make UP a national university of excellence also deserve to work in an environment that values, supports, and sustains them. Institutional support must be consistent, comprehensive, and sustainable,” Gadong added.
Also in the assembly was the 8th UP Staff Regent Marie Theresa Alambra, who provided updates on key issues and proposals beneficial for the REPS; among others were the expanded E-HOPE program, proposal for the Enhanced Service Recognition Pay (ESRP), amendment of the UP Charter to include REPS representation or regent, conversion of COS employees to UP contractuals in the absence of plantilla items, and the still pending implementation of merit promotion.
At the presentation of the UPM REPS Manual, comments and revisions of the contents were discussed, beginning with the REPS Development Fund (RDF) Committee, the inclusion of UP-Philippine General Hospital medical specialists under REPS, the salary grades of REPS, and general guidelines on appointment, promotion, and tenure. Pinpointed during the assembly was the concern about the merit system, especially the “appropriateness of the metric promotion tool for UP Manila REPS.” It was then agreed that the existing metrics would be extensively reviewed to account for the extension and administrative work of REPS, aside from research.
Present at the event who gave reaction messages on the UPM REPS Manual were the former Faculty Regent Carl Marc Ramota; Vice President for Academic Affairs, UP System, Dr. Leo Cubillan represented by Dr. Percival Almoro; and All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) Manila President Daisy-Mae Bagaoisan, represented by Professor Louie Acuña, the Board of Electors of AUPAEU Manila.
This is a joint effort of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the REPS Welfare Council in close collaboration with the All UP Academic Employees Union Manila Chapter.
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