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BCU students picket administration building

Demands cancellation of contract

BAGUIO CITY (Jan. 28) – More than 1,000 nursing students of the Baguio Central University (BCU) joined the protest for the second time at the Allied Medical Building (AMB) and at the Main Building to demand the BCU administration to scrap the “business contract” between Nursing Department Dean Mrs. Jeanette Bongalos and contractor Ms. Liza Vasques. They are also appealing to stop the commercialization of education. According to their statement, education is a right, not a privilege.

In an interview with the Samahan ng Mag-aaral ng Nursing at Midwifery (SMNM) Governor Chester Mark Tuazon, he said that more than 300 nursing students joined the protest in front of the school gate at the AMB in Mag-saysay Ave. around 7:00 a.m. The students marched to the Main Building and the number increased to more than 1,000 an hour later.

Room to room campaign and Text Brigade

According to Tuazon, the number of protesting students became overwhelming despite the “scare” that those who will participate will have their transcripts pulled-out from the registrar. “We did the “RTR” (room to room) campaign. We informed the students about the activity and the updates from our negotiation with Ms. Liza Vasquez,” he said.

“Nag-text kami sa lahat ng di nakapunta sa Allied Medical Bldg. na pumunta sa Main Building,” the student governor added. Some were freshmen and sophomores who are supporting the previous plight against expensive affiliation fee. Students from different schools who expressed support to the protesters and joined the rally came from the University of the Philippines College Baguio, Saint Louis University, University of the Cordilleras and the University of Baguio.

In a statement sent to NORDIS, the group said that the nursing students, particularly those in the 3rd year are going to have their duty in some hospitals in Metro Manila this February and are being required to pay the total amount of P24,232.50. The following are the breakdown of the said amount: P6,732.00 for tuition fee, P200.50 for registration, P9,300.00 for lodging, P4,320.00 for food allocation, and P3,680.00 for transportation. The students protested the very expensive amount.

Secret unleashed

Tuazon and other officers went to Manila after the Jan. 14 silent protest to discuss the issue with the contractor, Liza Vasques. Here, they found out about the excessive accommodation (lodging, meals, transportation,). The rent of the hotel’s function hall that will be used for lectures is passed on to the students. Second, the coordinators’ lodging, food and transportation allowances will be shouldered by the students. Third, Ms. Vasques will donate P20,000.00 to BCU because of the signed deal.

“Bakit ipinapasa sa mga estudyante ang bayad para sa function hall? Bakit manggagaling sa bulsa ng mga estudyante ang allowance ng mga coordinators na sa katunayan ay meron namang faculty fund na galing din sa miscellaneous fees? At bakit magdo-donate si Ms. Vasques ng P20,000 sa BCU na ang panggagalingan nito ay mula sa ibabayad ng estudyante?” according to the statement.

Information dissemination

An “open forum” was conducted by the school administration on Dec. 22 last year. The Dean and faculty members informed the students that the affiliation fee would increase to P24, 232.50 from 16,932.00. In the recent interview with Tuazon, he said that the open forum was merely an effort towards information dissemination. It was also unsuccessful due to absence of the majority of the students in the assembly.

Recent actions

There has been a series of student actions since the resumption of classes this January. More than 870 nursing students signed to oppose the said increase. More than 60 individuals held a silent protest in front of the school gate on Jan. 14.

According to Tuazon, the number of protesting students is increasing. He said that the campaign has the support of the majority of the Nursing Department.

Campus repression

Instead of listening to the legitimate demands of the students, the BCU President has issued a memorandum stating that students who are opposed to the present affiliation fee are advised to cross enroll to other institutions to finish their NCM 103 subject, which requires affiliation in Manila-based hospitals.

In an interview with some students, “Gil” (not her real name) said that when the school administration was informed of the students’ protest action, the president declared the suspension of classes for the next day. “They suspended classes for Jan. 28 so that the majority of students will no longer join the protest. It’s sabotage!” she said.

Yet despite the effort, Tuazon proudly said that the BCU administration has failed to stop their protest. “Our activity was successful, and we will continue this fight until victory is in our hands”.

He also pointed out that if ever the administration will not grant their demands – they will continue the struggle until the next school year for the next affiliation schedule.# Joel A. Capulong for NORDIS

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