REPORT ON THE 1303RD BOARD OF REGENTS (BOR) MEETING

UP Executive House, 26 November 2014, 9:10 AM

APPROVAL OF THE PROVISIONAL AGENDA

Before the BOR approved the Agenda, President Alfredo Pascual asked that the
Suspension of the Up or Out Policy for Research, Extension and Professional Staff (REPS)
in UPLB be considered. In addition, Regent Senator Pia Cayetano also asked to be included
in the business of the meeting her brief update on UPs budget.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES

1301st Meeting, 29 September 2014
Motion for Reconsideration of the Approval by the Board of Regents of the Draft
Memorandum of Agreement between the University of the Philippines and the Smart
Communications, Inc. for provision Wireless Communications Connectivity in Various UP
Campuses System-wide
Student Regent Neill John Macuha presented his motion for reconsideration to the Board
on the following basis: (1) there was a false assumption by the members of the BOR that
the whole deal would not entail any cost as the university shall pay for the electricity cost
of the service; (2) that the cost of the Memorandum to the University be spent instead to
improve existing free Wi-Fi services such as the DilNet, UPLB Wi-Fi, etc.; and (3) points
raised by the members of the Board were not reflected on the final signed Memorandum,
subject to the Boards consideration.
Faculty Regent Dr. Lourdes Abadingo raised her points upon consultation with experts on
the field. She first summarized the gist of the deal, then clarified that the cost of the service
to UP would be very negligible. President Pascual then stated that he already saw that part
of the Memorandum, and said that given that the cost would be minimal, it may cost UP
more to let Smart bear electricity cost. SR Macuha however stood his ground that since
Smart would profit form the said deal, it is just for them to bear all costs needed for the
service to push through. Towards the end, Regent Sen. Cayetano moved to set aside the

motion of the Student Regent, and affirm the Boards earlier decision to confirm the said
deal. SR Macuha then argued that if that if the motions is dismissed, he is objecting the
confirmation of the deal on the aforesaid grounds. Staff Regent Anna Razel Ramirez joined
the SR in his objection. Regent Sen. Cayetano clarified that he understood why the SR have
been upset, since to the lay people not knowing some of the technicalities, it may seem
that the whole deal would be free, as that was the presentation made to the Board.
However, since the cost would be negligible, she chose to let the project be continued. The
motion for reconsideration was therefore dismissed.
REPORTS[1]
Report of the President[2]
President Pascual reported about the Board of Trustees meeting of the International Rice
Research Institute (IRRI), where he sits as an ex-officio member. According to him, despite
the lease of IRRI still has ten years, the executive director wants to extend it to another 25
years. He told the latter that he was reluctant not because of monetary concerns, but
because he wants to up the Universitys ties with the institute. SR Macuha supported this
by saying that he received reports that UP Los Baos seems to not benefit with IRRIs
existence near the CU. The President then clarified that during its early years, the
partnership between UPLB and IRRI were strong, but mellowed down with IRRI opting to
work with Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) instead; however, the faculty
benefits from IRRI through projects are on an individual basis. Regent Magdaleno
Albarracin Jr. suggested that the President negotiate stronger linkages with IRRI,
suggesting that some of the scientists of IRRI teach in UPLB, while UPLB Faculty work with
the institute.
President Pascual also reported that he attended the ASEAN Universities Network Rectors
meeting held in Chang Mai, Thailand. SR Macuha then reminded the President of UPs
commitment to host the ASEAN Student Leaders Forum in 2016.
SR Macuha also flagged President Pascual report on the merit promotions which stated
that since part of the money used would be sourced from the Miscellaneous Personnel
Benefit Fund (MPBF), the university has to give up some of the plantilla items. According
to the Student Regent, the staff might be very upset to learn this given that there are many
contractuals in UP, while faculty items in various CUs are lacking. President Pascual noted
that this is the practice of recent years, in which Chair Patricia Licuanan agreed. She then
noted that UP could always ask for additional items from the Department of Budget and

1
2

Only highlights of the discussion shall be provided. If the reader desires a full copy of the said
reports, please e-mail the OSR at osr@up.edu.ph.
Included in the Presidents report is the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between UP
and Anflocor about the establishment of a UPLB College of Agriculture Extension Campus in Panabo
City. Since the OSR has no soft copy of the MOU, please e-mail us should the reader want to see the
MOU.

Management should the need really arise. The President then added that there is a need
for UP to work efficiently, and the University had done so by rationalization.
Report of the Faculty Regent
Included in the report of FR Abadingo is the case of Dr. Danilo Tuazon, a faculty appealing
to the Board to be released from his contractual obligations of 15 years of service since
he was not granted tenure due to an alleged politicking; President Pascual clarified that
he already discussed the case with UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan, and the latter
agreed to send his answer to the appeal through a letter stating that UP Diliman is
releasing Dr. Tuazon of his contractual obligations not because UP is condoning reneging
faculty, but values highly qualified professionals such as him.[3] SR Macuha inquired
whether this would send faculty members the wrong signals since clearly Dr. Tuazon wants
to serve UP in any capacity, but asks that he be given what is due to him. Noting that as
much as he is sympathetic to the case, he is wondering why UP cannot transfer him in
another unit to finish his required years of service to pay his obligations. President Pascual
said that this would further complicate the case, and that the issue is already being
addressed by the Chancellor of UP Diliman.
Report of the Student Regent
SR Macuha reported on the problems of UP Manila School of Health Sciences units raised
to him on two separate consultations. Reported earlier by FR Abadingo, he noted that SHS
units need more support from the UP Administration as true Iskolar ng Bayan, and given
their continuous strong performances on board examinationss. However, Regent
Albarracin siad that if local government units (LGUs) are failing to support SHS Units, as
they should have been, then UP must contemplate pulling out from those sites. FR
Abadingo was quick to answer that there were support coming from LGUs and other
concerned individuals. She stated that maybe the lack of support was coming from the UP
Administration. President Pascual assured the Board to refer the matter to the UP Manila
Chancellor.
SR Macuha also asked the Board for support for the victims of Human Rights Violations in
UP, especially that the International Human Rights Week is near. Only Regent Sen.
Cayetano responded by saying that she will look upon the matter. She also promised to
communicate with SR Macuha on her plans on the HR Week, while reporting that they are
now having a 10-day campaign on Anti-violence against Women and Children. SR Macuha
reciprocated the support.

To clarify, the allegations of politicking comes from Dr. Tuazon, not from the OSR or SR Macuha. Dr.
Tuazon failed to come back to UP on time as per the terms of his fellowship contract, thus being
labeled as a reneging faculty, however his tenure was not revoked by the BOR making the matter
complicated.

Other matters reported by SR Macuha, including the calls for junking of unjust, exorbitant,
and redundant school fees, tuition increase moratorium and rollback were noted, absent
further action, query or support.
Report of the Staff Regent
Staff Regent Ramirez also reported on the recently concluded merit promotions. According
to her, REPS and Administrative Staff were decrying the lack of transparency on their
promotions. In addition, she also noted her observations that faculty members from
smaller CUs have not filed any appeals due to the said lack of transparency. Last, she
raised that it was unfair that the System Committee on Promotions only reviewed cases
where pending appeals were made, leaving those who were not aggressive enough
alienated. President Pascual answered that these issues would be tackled on corrective
promotions come 2015.
Issues about the Philippine General Hospital (PGH)
The Sectoral (Faculty, Student and Staff) Regents raised pertinent issues regarding PGH,
its governance, and the withheld 21 million PhilHealth Reimbursement share of
employees. According to them, workers in PGH are now calling for the ouster of PGH
Director Dr. Jose Gonzales. In addition, they cited the workers assertion that Director
Gonzales has violated the law for not releasing the aforesaid amount, referring to the
pending Board action on the Unions Motion for Reconsideration in re Health Insurance
Program. After lengthy discussions, Chair Licuanan asked that the Sectoral Regents refer
the matter to the UP Manila Chancellor for her appropriate action on the issue.

GENERAL GOVERNANCE
Appointment of University Officials
Dr. Charlotte M. Chiong

Director, Philippine National Ear Institute, National Institute of

Health, University of the Philippines Manila, effective 1
November 2014, to serve at the pleasure of the Chancellor

In addition, the appointment of UPLB Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Portia
Lapitan was deferred until 1 January 2015 upon her request to wrap up her commitment
as the Director of Eco-systems Research and Development Bureau. For the meantime,
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Julieta De Los Reyes was appointed
Officer-in-Charge.[4]

Part of the Addenda Items of the Agenda. SR Macuha received the Addenda on 25 November, 8:26
PM.

ACADEMIC MATTERS
The board approved the proposal to change the rules on the release of ST System stipends,
effectively waiving the grade-requirement provided that the student has 12 units enrolled
during the semester concerned.
SR Macuha also reminded the Board on their earlier decision to ask for an increase on
Professorial Chair donations, while providing other namesake for donations lower that the
minimum requirement still to be determined. This was according to the suggestion of
Regent Gizela M. Gonzalez-Montinola during the 1302nd meeting.
FISCAL MATTERS
The Staff Regent asked for an increase on the Php 4,000 year-end allowance, and that UP
contractuals be also granted of such bonus. President Pascual said that the administration
cannot increase the said amount, but promised to look into the benefit that contractuals
may be getting. However, he noted that the amount to be provided the contractuals shall
be lower than what regular employees would be receiving.
MATTERS FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF THE BOARD
Only Student Regent Macuha and Staff Regent Ramirez raised their objection, as
mentioned earlier, on the confirmation of the Smart Wi-Fi deal.
MATTERS FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE BOARD
MOA between UP and CHED on the GIA-based Collaboration on the PCARI Projects [5]
SR Macuha raised that faculty members from the Congress of Teachers and Educators for
Nationalism and Democracy-UP and Alliance of Concerned Teachers gave him a position
paper about the Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes (PCARI) outside the
Executive House. He said that the issues raised were meritorious, thus must be addressed.
President Pascual then noted that PCARI is already a done deal, however, suggested to
Chair Licuanan to hold a dialogue with the said faculty members to answer their scepticism
about the project as the Commission on Higher Education will spearhead the said program.
Results of the Selection Round of the 2015-2016 Faculty Regent Selection Process[6]
The Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs informed the Board that the Faculty
Regent Selection have been finished. Dr. Philip Ian P. Padilla of UP Visayas Miag-ao is the
new Faculty Regent effective 1 January 2015, besting Prof. Joy Lizada of UP VIsayas Iloilo
5
6

See footnote 4.
Ibid.

City and Prof. Margarita De la Cruz of UP Visayas Tacloban College. He will succeed UP
Manilas Dr. Lourdes Abadingo as the representative of the faculty on the highest policy
making body of the University.
The Office offers its sincere congratulations to Dr. Padilla on his selection as Faculty
Regent. We look forward to working with him in tackling the different issues, local and
national, and wishes that he will uphold genuine representation and a consultative
approach during his term. We hope that the incoming Faculty Regent will stand by not only
with the faculty, but also with the students, staff and other vital components of the UP
community, and the Filipino people.
For the students and the people,

NEILL JOHN G. MACUHA

Student Regent