“We are not docile faculty members, researchers, and administrative staff. Tayo ay mga buhay at nag-iisip na empleyado ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.”

February 27, 2023 — The All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) held its 2023 General Assembly on Feb. 3, 2023 with the theme “Hiniusang Kusog: Tumindig para sa Nakabubuhay na Sahod, Paigtingin ang Lakas-paggawa.” 

Participated by the different chapters from UP constituent units, the AUPAEU discussed current and emerging issues of UP employees such as compensation, regularization, employee well-being, and provision of community extension services. 

Faculty Regent Carl Marc Ramota highlighted that aside from lobbying for their and the Filipino’s rights, UP employees should not give themselves any leeway for the practice of intellectual elitism, especially in this time of rampant disinformation. Instead, they should start translating progressive ideas to a language that the grassroots will understand and which will persuade them to give significant attention and action to pressing issues. 

Believing that each voice is equally essential, he reiterated the importance of active participation in the university’s decision-making processes.

“We are not docile faculty members, researchers, and administrative staff. Tayo ay mga buhay at nag-iisip na empleyado ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.”

Mr. Patrick Avance from the Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research

Meanwhile, Mr. Patrick Avance, from the Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research, tackled key employee issues such as commodity price hikes, unlivable salaries, and disparity of wages among regions in the Philippines. At present, the daily livable rate for an average Filipino family ranges from P1000-1200. Yet, the current daily minimum wage of Filipino workers is P500 to P577. With the current spikes in the nation’s inflation rate, he explained that this glaring disparity can worsen the quality of life of many Filipinos. Also, the added issue of unequal minimum wage rates between urban and rural areas can intensify the poor living conditions of workers outside the National Capital Region.
 

“Hindi kakayanin ng lipunang Pilipino kung wala ang ordinaryong manggagawa”, he remarked.  He added that critical reforms in the existing Philippine laws and their implementation must be pushed to really help the plight of ordinary Filipino workers. “Mas malawak na pagkakaisa ang kailangan natin lalo na sa ating mga kinakaharap. Dapat maipanawagan natin na ang mga [kasalukuyang] batas ay baguhin ayon sa mga kongkretong kondisyon sa ating bansa.” 

AUPAEU members also presented their reports in the said assembly and initiated dialogues that will direct the union in the next crucial steps for the organization moving forward.

Francis Nicole Maga | Published in UP Manila Healthscape No. 48 (February 2023)