From the fountainhead of Inclusive Activism flows the undying torrent of Reason united with Passion.

As students of the premiere state university, we recognize our dual role as scholars who seek truth in knowledge, and as responsive leaders who empower our fellow students. Realizing the pivotal function of education in nation-building, we strive to apply the wisdom we learn in the University to make a long-lasting difference in society.

Scholars in Action. Reason equips us with a comprehensive outlook that takes into account all sides of an issue.  This inclusive attitude motivates us to create practical solutions, strongly rooted in wisdom and principle.

Driven by Passion. Passion is the driving force behind our actions. Though our passions are diverse, the relentless quality of our individual passions unites us through decisive and collective action for the greater service of the University and the Nation.

We draw strength from the diversity of our knowledge and passions. We ensure that every voice is amplified, that every opinion is heard. Through the distinctiveness of our individual forms of activism we all make significant contributions to the higher purpose, as catalysts for sustained development in the University and the Nation.

Reason without passion brings about inaction. Passion without reason breeds irresponsibility. The synergy of Reason and Passion fuels Inclusive Activism – the essential code of the Iskolar Aktibista.

Listen to the clamor for real action resounding throughout our beloved University. Feel the flames of passion stirring within you.

Iskolar Aktibista, this is a call-to-arms. Do you have the courage to answer?

SCHOLARS IN ACTION. DRIVEN BY PASSION.

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KAISA sa USC 2012 - 2013

USC CHAIRPERSON
Maria Shaina “SHAINA” Santiago
4th year BS Tourism
Asian Institute of Tourism


USC VICE-CHAIRPERSON
Ana Alexandra “ALEX” Castro
3rd year BS Psychology
College of Social Sciences and Philosophy


USC COUNCILORS

Allyssa Joy “AJ” Quinito
2nd year BS Business Administration and Accountancy
College of Business Administration

Carl Anthony “CARL” Reyes
4th year BS Tourism
Asian Institute of Tourism

Carla Janine “CARLA” Zipagan
3rd year BS Home Economics
College of Home Economics

Carlos Enrico “CARLOS” Clement
4th year BS Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering

Cheryl Mojica “CHERYL” Siy
2nd year BS Electronics and Communications Engineering
College of Engineering

Fercival “VAL” Yutan
3rd year BA Political Science
College of Social Sciences and Philosophy

Jermaine “JL” Villareal
2nd year BS Business Administration and Accountancy
College of Business Administration

Julliano Fernando “Jules” Guiang
3rd year BA Public Administration
National College of Public Administration and Governance

Mary Grace “MARGA” Bellosillo
3rd year BA Speech Communication
College of Arts and Letters

Ma. Regina “REG” Punzalan
3rd year BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
College of Science

Sarah Louise “SARAH” Mendoza
4th year BA Public Administration
National College of Public Administration and Governance

Simon Stephenson “SIMON” Tiu
4th year B Sports Science
College of Human Kinetics


COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES

Erika Mary “ERIKA” Erro
3rd year BS Tourism
Asian Institute of Tourism

Sara Zemirah “AYKA” Go
2nd year Certificate in Fine Arts, major in Painting
College of Fine Arts

Carla Monica “CARLA” Gonzalez
3rd year Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management
College of Home Economics

Gayle Krystle “GAYLE” Grey
4th year B Sports Science
College of Human Kinetics Representative

Ma. Beatriz “BEA” Obcena
1st year BS Community Development
College of Social Work and Community Development

Justin Alfred “JAP” Palino
4th year Mining Engineering
College of Engineering

Ihna Alyssa Marie “IHNA” Santos
3rd year BA Public Administration
National College of Public Administration and Governance

Serene Ezra “REN” Bondad
3rd year BS Chemistry
College of Science

Allan “ALLAN” Ibanez
3rd year BS Statistics
School of Statistics

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KAISA.UP

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/kaisaUP

Policy Brief: Invest in the future of this nation! Six percent of GNP to education!

Education is central to economic and human well-being of a country. It is an important means towards development as it enhances citizens’ capacity to absorb new technology and processes. It is also an important ends in itself because it provides citizens with the capacity towards self-actualization and self-dignity.

Even President Noynoy Aquino recognizes the importance of education. In his budget message for the proposed 2012 National Budget, he said: “Investing in education… remains one of our central strategies to combat poverty and build national competitiveness.”

But these promises will remain mere hot air if no money is appropriated for them. And here are the cold facts.

Education Budget

Much has been said about the paramount position that education occupies in human capital development. Thus in 1996, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a standard: six percent of a country’s Gross National Product (GNP) should be allocated for education spending.

The Philippines, however, failed to meet this standard: From 2006 to 2010, the government spent an average of P185 billion for education, representing a mere 2.29% of the country’s average GNP for the same time period. This means that the government must spend at least P300 billion moreto bridge the gap to put us at par with the UNESCO standard.

For the proposed 2012 budget, the administration is appropriating P308.95 billion for education spending, accounting for only 3.17% of the country’s GNP (NSCB figures as of 2010). This means that the government must spend at least P276 billion more to finance the expenditure gap!

In the age of the knowledge economy, those with the greatest knowledge and capacity will gain a competitive advantage to high value and productive professions. But how can government expect its citizens to compete against the world if it does not properly invest in human capital development? By refusing to properly finance public education, has our own government condemned its citizens to a life of servitude to foreign employers?

UP Budget

In our own backyard, we have first-hand experience on the effects of government’s systemic abandonment of public education. From 2006 to 2011, UP has riled with insufficient funds that it badly needs, receiving an average of P5.72 billion from the government, versus P17 billion that it actually needs.

Except for FY 2009 when the government provided more funds for UP because of its centennial in 2008 and with the approval of the UP Charter (Republic Act No. 9500) later in 2008, the rest of the period from 2006 to 2011 has shown how government has neglected the country’s premiere state university.

For 2012, the government is proposing an appropriation for UP of P5.5 billion, most of which will account for faculty and staff salaries (PS, P4.8 billion), while everyday expenses (MOOE) will account for P698 million. Another big problem for UP and all other SUCs will be our inability to build new buildings and buy new equipment because the government did not appropriate any amount for capital outlay.

How then can the government expect the scholars of this nation to fulfill their obligation to the country to be the best and the brightest? How can the government expect to produce innovative and cutting-edge knowledge and processes from its premiere state university if it does not properly finance it?

We cannot totally rely on alumni and donor support. Nor do we have to rely mainly on productive utilization of our idle assets. At best, these sources must only be used to augment UP’s budget. They should not be used as substitutes for State support. Even our own charter, Republic Act No. 9500, mandates that “funds generated from such programs, projects or mechanisms shall not be meant to replace, in part or in whole, the annual appropriations provided by the national government to the national university” (Section 22, Paragraph f).

Policy Proposals

KAISA calls on our legislators to invest in our country’s youth by prioritizing education spending. For the 2012 National Budget, our legislators should appropriate P81.05 billion more to education to increase it to 4 percent of GNP as a partial fulfillment of the UNESCO standard by realigning the following provisions:

1. P9.17 million under the Office of the President for monitoring the Visiting Forces Agreement, as this can be done by either the VFA Commission or the Department of Foreign Affairs.
2. P3.48 million under the Office of the President for raising awareness of the EDSA People Power, as this can be done by the Department of Education.
3. P100 million under the Office of the President for confidential and intelligence fund.
4. P92.9 million under the Presidential Commission on Good Government, whose functions can be transferred to the Office of the Solicitor General.
5. P53.3 million under the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, whose functions can be transferred to the Presidential Communications Operations Office.
6. P102.02 million under the National Anti-Poverty Commission, since its intentional functions can be absorbed by financing human capital investments such as education.
7. P103.89 million under the Philippine Racing Commission, whose functions can be transferred to the Games and Amusements Board.
8. P590 million under the Department of Social Welfare and Development for its conditional cash transfer, since its intentional functions can be absorbed by financing human capital investments such as education.
9. The remaining P80 billion can be borrowed to bridge the gap. If the government must borrow, it should borrow primarily to invest in human capital development.

For the succeeding fiscal years, we are proposing that the government increases education spending by at least 1 percent of GNP until it meets the 6-percent UNESCO standard.

For UP, we are proposing that the financing gap of P11.5 billion under the proposed 2012 National Budget be sourced from the following provisions:

1. P100 million under the Office of the President for confidential and intelligence fund.
2. P400 million under the Department of Social Welfare and Development for its conditional cash transfer, since its intentional functions can be absorbed by financing human capital investments such as education.
3. The remaining P11 billion can be borrowed to bridge the gap. If the government must borrow, it should borrow primarily to invest in human capital development.
4. The budget for PGH operations should be financed from different sources, and separated from the UP System budget since it provides services to the whole country.

In the long run, separate legislations should be enacted to provide more priority to human capital investments:

1. Repeal the automatic debt servicing provisions in Presidential Decree No. 1177 and in Executive Order No. 292, series of 1987.
2. Enact a law that will ensure the sustainable financing of education by adopting the UNESCO standard.
3. Rationalize appropriations of offices whose roles and functions can be fulfilled by existing agencies.
4. Enact laws repealing or amending the functions of government agencies by combining, merging, or abolishing redundant offices, and use the extra money to shore up human capital investments.

Education is an important means towards development; we must fight for the right of every Filipino to live a better life, for this generation and beyond.

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For more information and updates, like our pages:

http://www.facebook.com/6willfix

http://www.facebook.com/KAISA.UP

Six Will Fix! (6% of GNP to Education)

Six Will Fix the leaking roofs, the cracking walls, the un-flushing toilets.
Six Will Fix the budget cuts, the rising lab fees, the tuition fee increases.
Six Will Fix unfavorable policies towards education.

BELIEVE IN 6: http://www.facebook.com/6willfix

Totoo bang spiya ng Espanya si Josefina? O isa siya sa mga matatapang na babaeng katipunera ng ating bansa? Sabay sabay natin yang alamin kung sino nga ba si Josephine Bracken, o Miss B!

Para sa Ika-39 na taon ng The UP REPERTORY Company, Inihahandog namin ang isang dulang pinamagatang Miss Dulce Extranjera, o ang Paghahanap kay Miss B, sa panulat ni Sir Anril Tiatco at direksyon ni Aling Simang. Sa September 8,9,10,12 na yan! Aldaba Recital Hall! For tickets and inquiries, text 09061656157.:)

Anonymous asked: good eve po. regarding the STFAP. A po ako last sem, nklgay po sa CRS ko ngaun is STFAP Bracket B (confirmed). What does that mean? Ipapasa po ung requirements?

galing sa crs site: 

“Clarification regarding STFAP bracketing for non-freshman undergraduate students

Non-freshman undergraduate students (SN 2010 and below) who did not apply for STFAP will still be set to Bracket B as default for the assessment of 1st semester 2011. However, you will be required to prove that your family income is less than PhP1,000,000 by submitting supporting documents at any time within the 1st semester or before the start of 2nd semester registration.

Like you, the CRS Team is also waiting for announcements/confirmation from the STFAP office regarding the list of requirements.

So if you have any inquiries regarding this matter, kindly visit the STFAP FAQ page instead or contact their office (contact details are in the same page). We do promise to update the CRS homepage once the STFAP office informs us of the new protocol for default bracketing”