Nominees for chancellorship in UP Diliman presented their stances on issues concerning the students and sectoral groups at the student-led public forum Balitaktakan 2020, Friday.

Before the issue-based part of the forum, chancellorship aspirants College of Engineering Dean Ferdinand Manegdeg and Vice Chancellor for Research and Development Fidel Nemenzo stated their stances on the UP Diliman Student Agenda, among other sectoral issues.

The agenda consists of the calls of the student body, primarily to provide quality and accessible student services and to uphold democratic rights.

To this, Manegdeg answered briefly, committing his full support for the students’ demands.

”Wala po akong duda na dapat iyon ang ating adhikain, 100 percent nandoon tayo,” Manegdeg said.

Likewise, Nemenzo, affirmed his support, saying these are enabling conditions in the pursuit of academic excellence.

However, he raised, a reservation on the defense of UP against the military and state forces.

“Military is not equal to militarization, there are times when we need to cooperate with the military, for example, I talk about research collaboration with the Navy,” Nemenzo said.

Upholding inclusivity

Other sectors in UP were also among the audience in the forum.

Kiosk vendor, Narry Hernandez asked the nominees for their stances on the imminent displacement of vendors along the academic oval to give way for public restrooms.

The chancellor bets both expressed support for kiosk vendors and guaranteed them their livelihood despite the said construction plan.

Meanwhile, Micah Simon from Save Our Schools (SOS) Network asked if they will accommodate the Lumad bakwit school in the university once appointed.

Nemenzo answered that the Lumads will always have a place in the university for the students have much to learn from them.

“Hindi lang sila mga bisita o mga refugees, marami tayong matututunan mula sa kanila,” Nemenzo said. “I think that we should provide a sanctuary for the Lumad.”

Manegdeg, however, said that letting the Lumads evacuate in the university is unsustainable.

“Hindi sustainable yung layo nila, pagpunta at pagtira dito, at kung ano-anong demonstrasyon ang sinasalihan,” Manegdeg said. “Dapat tulungan natin sila sa ibang paraan.”

He then recounted his donation of thousand sandwiches and a solar panel to the Lumads, which, according to him, is a better way of helping these displaced indigenous people.

To which, Simon rebutted, “Hindi nila ginustong pumunta sa Maynila. Kung may choice lang sila na ipagpatuloy yung pag-aaral nila sa Mindanao, hindi nila iiwan ang kanilang ancestral land.”

Opening UP

‘UP shall be open to all’ – the two candidates pledged to enact this to its fullest extent.

Using this rationalization, Manegdeg and Nemenzo both disagreed with the resolution of the student councils to ban the Marcoses from entering the university.

Manegdeg maintained that UP has to welcome everyone in spite of varying ideologies, but clarified his objection against martial law.

“Magkakaiba tayo ng pananaw dito pero sana maintindihan natin na lahat ng Pilipino ay pwede pa ring makapasok sa UP. Dapat consistent tayo,” Manegdeg said.

Similarly, Nemenzo espoused that UP must not prohibit anyone’s entry, including that of the Marcoses’, yet they must accept whatever consequence awaits them.

“Any resolution banning people is not aligned with the culture of openness and tolerance,” Nemenzo said. “But the Marcoses should be ready to face the protests that the UP community is known for.”

Asked about their plans to fix the loopholes in the free tuition policy, the two focused on correcting the administrative efficiency on its implementation.

Manegdeg further posed to come up with income-generating ideas, as the budget allotted for the said policy is insufficient.

“Igigiit pa rin natin [ang budget] [but] at the same time, we look at other income generation activities,” said Manegdeg. “We can ask our previous iskas and iskos to provide some help for us.”

Nemenzo, meanwhile, vouched to negotiate with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in expanding the coverage of free tuition.

“It’s a combination of negotiating, expanding the policy, and looking out at the mechanisms we have within the university,” said Nemenzo.

The candidates were also asked about their stand on the enactment of the bill making the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) mandatory for high school students.

Nemenzo dissented, emphasizing that there are alternative ways for instilling nationalism.

“There are many ways of instilling nationalism, not just through ROTC. We use NSTP program and GE program to promote nationalism and patriotism,” Nemenzo said.

However, Manegdeg, an ROTC graduate, expressed opposition only for its implementation at the high school level.

The search committee for the chancellor selection is set to submit their report on January 27 to the UP Board of Regents, who will then appoint the new UPD chancellor on February 3.