USC CCA: New Sneak Peeks - UP Centennial Planner

Bid a booth and earn with no sweat!

Please pass this good news to ALL UP organizations. Also, subscribe to upfair2008@yahoogroups.com.

Guidelines for Belen-Making Contest

TO ALL COLLEGE STUDENT COUNCILS:

This year, we will once again be having a belen-making contest to be spearheaded by the University Student Council (USC) and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA) as part of the University's Christmas festivities. This is open to all College Student Councils. The theme for this year's contest is Sandaang Pasko, Nandito na Tayo.

Entries must not exceed a maximum size of eight (8) cubic meters. Special consideration will be given to entries that are composed of predominantly recycled materials. Three of the best belens will be chosen by judges based on the following criteria:

30% for Construction
Breakdown: 15% for durability and stability
15% for craftsmanship

30% for Appearance
Breakdown: 10% for use of surroundings in consideration of design and
visibility
20% for formal design

40% for Originality
Breakdown: 20% for innovation on traditional belen format
20% for approach to theme

The judges will go around the campus to rate the entries based on the given criteria on December 10 (Monday) according to the OVCSA Memorandum regarding the Christmas activities. However, the USC requested that the judging be set on from December 13 (Thursday) to December 17 (Monday) instead to give ample time for College Student Councils to prepare for the Carolefest on December 14 and the Lantern Parade on December 19.

I have personally talked to VC Elizabeth Enriquez and she said that it is highly possible to move the judging on December 13, but no official announcement has been given yet. We will inform you immediately once the OVCSA formally agrees on the extension.

The winning colleges will be announced during the program for the Lantern Parade.

As for the Carolefest, hard copies the contest mechanics, registration form, proposal form for the PhP 3,000 seed money, and the contest piece have been distributed to the College Student Councils last November 26 and 27. If you did not receive copies, please approach your respective College Representatives. Again, we are working on having the deadline for registration extended by the Office for Initiatives for Culture and the Arts (OICA) to December 10 instead of December 7, which is too early for most College Student Councils. Contest mechanics are final according to the OICA, but we will keep you posted on registration date changes.

For queries, contact USC Councilor Jeff Crisostomo at (0906)3127928. Information on prizes and any changes in the contest details will be relayed to the College Student Councils as soon as possible through your respective College Representatives and through the League of College Councils e-group. Matters regarding these activities will be discussed during the next League of College Councils Meeting on December 4. The time and venue will be relayed to your LCC Representative by USC Vice Chairperson Viktor Fontanilla.

Good luck and best wishes to all College Student Councils in your activities this Christmas season!


In Solidarity,

Jeffrey C. Crisostomo
Councilor, University Student Council 2007-2008
Chairperson, USC Committee on Culture and the Arts
1st Year, MA Urban and Regional Planning (SURP)
Graduate, BA Sociology (CSSP)
University of the Philippines - Diliman
lunar_calypso@yahoo.com | jeff.crisostomo@gmail.com
(0906)3127928

Contact the USC CCA at updusc_cca@yahoo.com.ph.
Visit http://usccca.multiply.com!

The UP Centennial Planner is not just a planner...

SR Report on the 23 Nov 2007 BOR Meeting

Office of the Student Regent
University of the Philippines System
Vinzons Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

On the Student Regent's Motion to Remove Automatic Tuition Increases Based on the Year's Prevailing Inflation Rate

Again, the leadership of the University of the Philippines has demonstrated its obstinacy in recognizing the role of the Iskolars ng Bayan in implementing new policies that involves its students, particularly its new tuition policy. According to the UP President and the UP Chancellors, they would rather retain automatic tuition increases so that the University shall not be tied once again to relentless annual increases in prices in the economy. In answer, the Student Regent retorted that regardless of inflation or whatever other reasons the UP administration has to justify annual increases, such measures must still fall under the scrutiny of Iskolars ng Bayan who may not necessarily be the ones affected by proposed tuition measures. All must remember that the concepts of democratic access to education and democratic representation fall squarely on the responsibilities of our student institutions, even if the students involved in tuition increases are merely prospective UP students still, because the enjoyment and assertion of such a fundamental right encompasses past, present and future Iskolars ng Bayan. However, as always, the UP President unceasingly plays up the usual excuse that even if there were no need to consult the unaffected upperclassmen, they still consulted all of them in the last year's tuition increase. As such, she says, there is no need by law for the University to even consult prospective incoming freshmen and upperclassmen in the subsequent tuition increases, especially as they are not affected by it anyway.

With these statements of unthinkable obstinacy, the Board of Regents failed to pass conclusive judgment on the motion of the Student Regent, except for the same trite reassurance of the UP President that they shall integrate the recommendations of the Student Regent in their re-evaluation of the new tuition policy in the coming months. It must be noted that mere reassurances are all the UP Administration has offered the Iskolars ng Bayan despite our painstaking efforts of submitting a comprehensive policy review-counterpropo sal to the UP Administration and our relentless and sustained campaign for the complete junking of UP's tuition policy.

Notwithstanding of all these, a small yet substantial victory was achieved for the Iskolars ng Bayan in this Board of Regents meeting. Despite failing to pass judgment on the motion of the Student Regent, members of the Board sided with the Student Regent in asserting this point -

"All tuition increases, even those based or less than the year's prevailing inflation rate, shall always be subject to the approval of the Board of Regents."

This interpretation of the Board of Regents is a far cry to the originally envisioned concept of the UP Administration that tuition increases based on the inflation rate are deemed implementable on new freshman student of the University even without the benefit of democratic deliberation. With this interpretation, therefore, consultations with students in the event of any tuition increase proposal shall always be inevitable in ensuring that due process is adequately followed by the Board of Regents. In this interpretation, the only thing that is clearly automatic is the " option of the UP Administration to propose yearly tuition increases based on the prevailing year's inflation rate," as the power to raise tuition and other fees lies only on the deliberative wisdom, not of the UP Administration, but of the Board of Regents, to which the Student Regent belongs.

In all of these, therefore, while yearly automatic tuition increases remain in the new tuition policy, it has clearly lost its substance as a means of skirting democratic consultations with the students. This interpretation affords all Iskolars ng Bayan a continuing role in the assertion of their rights to education no matter how seemingly unsubstantial tuition increase proposals may appear.

Rest assured that as long as all Iskolars ng Bayan remain united and steadfast in their resolve and action to continuously challenge the legitimacy of the tuition increase, victories like this shall always be achieved.

The victory is in the details. A monster has been defanged.

Onwards to the complete junking of the UP TOFI!
Stop the Commercialization of Education!

All Leaders' Conference on November 29

An All Leaders' Conference will be held on Nov. 29, Thursday, 5:30 pm at the Vinzon's Rooftop. We will discuss ACLE for the second semester and updates regarding the UP Fair Booth Bidding.

Carolfest 2007, Belen-Making Contest Updates

The 2nd University Carolfest will be held this December 14, 2007 (Friday) at 6:00 pm at the University Theater. Mechanics should have been distributed already by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA) to the College Deans, Secretaries, and Student Councils last November 19 (Monday). Please forward your concerns to the USC Committee on Culture and the Arts (CCA) by texting them to (0906)3127928. We will discuss them with the offices concerned so they can address them as soon as possible. The OICA and the OVCSA opted to retain almost all parts of last year's mechanics and also the contest piece (Kumukuti-kutitap)

Deadline for confirmation is on December 7, 2007. We will distribute the contest piece, registration forms and budget proposal forms (for the PhP 3000 seed money request) by this week.

Also included in the memorandum circulated by the OVCSA are guidelines for the Acad Oval booths and the Lantern Parade theme. Mechanics for the Belen-Making Contest will be available by next week.

The USC Committee on Culture and Arts (CCA) will leave a copy of the memo at the USC Office (2nd floor Vinzons Hall) which will be available for photocopying tomorrow at 4:00 pm in case you haven't received a copy from the OVCSA. You may also check with your respective deans if they already have a copy.

Thank you!

Walk for Sumilao, Walk for Justice

Walk for Sumilao Land, Walk for Justice

20 November 2007

Approaching Quezon Province

Yesterday, 19 November 2007, while the Sumilao Farmers were traversing the whole stretch of Balogo, Sapacao to Tara, Sipocot, they encountered challenges and situations that needed their full attention. One of the marchers, Toto Hapayon, and one from the support groups, Dr. Grace Bag-ao, were rushed in the hospital in Naga City.

The marchers observed that Toto Hapayon is alarmingly losing weight, while Dr. Bag- ao, fondly called by the marchers as Dok G, suffered a broken shin. She was advised to undergo an operation. .

Like the previous day, the typhoon affected the pace of the marchers. They negotiated the muddy roads from barangay Sapacao to Sipocot, and at certain times, they had to pass flooded streets.

When they reached the day's destination, FUERZA and Social Action Center (SAC) organized a short program intended to educate the locals in the municipality. To better appreciate their struggle, they showed to the public some video documentaries featuring the Walk for Sumilao Land, Walk for Justice Campaign/pilgrimage. Ka Rene Peñas, together with some other Sumilao Farmer leaders, narrated the history of their struggle and why they chose to walk from Bukidnon to Manila.

The program was attended by private and other LGU personnel. An inspirational message was solicited from the support groups.

Meanwhile, Sumilao Farmers' support groups in Manila staged a mobilization in front of the National Office of Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Quezon City Circle. This was participated by various NGOs and POs supporting the cause of the Sumilao Farmers in reclaiming the 144-hectare land in Sumilao, Bukidnon. They used slippers to symbolize the sufferings of the Sumilao Farmers from Bukidnon to Manila walking on foot. The DAR Secretary, however, did not show up - a clear manifestation of the proof that the top government official who does not care so much about the plight of the Sumilao farmers, and to the rest of the farmers across the country.

Sumilao Update

19 November 2007

Before starting their walk yesterday, the farmers heard a Eucharistic celebration at 5:00 in the morning. It was the first time that they heard a mass before starting their journey. Usually, they hear masses upon their arrival at the place where they shall stay for the night.

It was perhaps a good start for their day's walk because they were able to endure the harsh weather. Thus, despite the outpouring of heavy rain and strong winds, they arrived safely at Balogo, Pasacao, Camarines Sur, their next stop, with high spirits.Aside from the bad weather, the place was not very safe, because of the alleged presence of members of the New Peoples Army. Even the members of the Philippine National Police were hesitant to accompany the farmers at the time they entered Sta. Rosa. But, the local priest personally ensured that the farmers shall safely arrive in Balogo. They arrived at Balogo around lunch time. After eating their lunch, they took a short rest, before starting with their scheduled activity for the afternoon.

First, they had a general assembly where they discussed how they could continue their walk despite the unfriendly weather. For instance, they talked about how many kilometers they should walk if the heavy rains will continue.

It was also discussed in the general assembly who among the marchers shall compose the 'pool of speakers' for the week. This is part of the commitment to enhance their skills in articulating their struggle to the public. And in order to deepen their knowledge on the intricacies involved in their struggle, and to share their individual and collective insights of their journey, they regularly conduct learning sessions.

Later in the afternoon, Mr. Ben Longid, Roland Quilanan, Boyet Ambayec, who introduced themselves as representatives of Senator Gringo Honasan, visited the farmers and gave the senator's donation.

Before retiring to sleep, there was a meeting of the team leaders, where they assessed the disposition and feeling of each and every marcher. It came out that all of them are still very much willing to continue, despite physical stress, and emotional pain for missing their family.

Partial Luzon Leg

Camarines Norte

20 November - Sipocot to Ragay - 31 kilometers

21 November - Ragay to del Gallego - 30 kilometers

22 November - del Gallego to Tabogon - 20 kilometers

Quezon Province

23 November - Tabogon to Lopez - 32 kilometers

24 November - Lopez to Gumaca - 20 kilometers

25 November - Gumaca to Atimonan - 33 kilometers

26 November - Atimonan to Lucena - 30 kilometers

27 November - Lucena to Tiaong - 37 kilometers

Laguna

28 November - Tiaong to San Pablo - 15 kilometers

29 November - San Pablo to Los Baños - 21 kilometers

Revisiting the Sumilao Case:

Petitioners are the community residents and qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) who are directly affected by the conversion. The petitioners in this case are landless farmers, farmworkers, and community residents in San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon. Being such, they undoubtedly have a paramount interest on the instant petition as they are the immediate community residents who are directly affected by the conversion of the land. Being such, they undoubtedly have a paramount interest on the instant petition.

Further, the petitioner-farmers being the landless residents of San Vicente, Sumilao, are the qualified farmer beneficiaries under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law:

SEC. 22. Qualified Beneficiaries. - The lands covered by the CARP shall be distributed as much as possible to landless residents of the same barangay, or in the absence thereof, landless residents of the same municipality in the following order of priority:

agricultural lessess and share tenants;

regular farmworkers;

seasonal farmworkers;

other farmworkers;

actual tillers or occupants of public lands;

collective or cooperatives of the above beneficiaries; and

others directly working on the land.

It is also worth mentioning that petitioners Paterno Tuminhay and Renato Peñas are the incumbent Barangay Kagawads of San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon, hence, they have the moral and political obligation to be vigilant on matters affecting their jurisdiction.

On this note, several DAR policy issuances pertinent to protest to conversion of agricultural lands recognize the legal standing of the community residents and landless farmers on the matter:

DAR Administrative Order No. 1, series of 1990

Article VIII. "Protest or opposition against the application for conversion may be applied by any person who may be displaced with the Provincial Agrarian Reform Adjudicator (PARAD) xxx"

DAR Administrative Order No. 12, series of 1994 Article XIV. "The Regional CLUPPI shall evaluate written protest filed by any person who may be displaced or affected by the proposed land use conversion"

DAR Administrative Order No. 1, series of 1999

Article IV. Section 18. Who May File. - Any person who will be displaced or directly affected by the proposed land use conversion such as occupants, tenants, farmworkers, identified beneficiaries, bona fide residents of adjoining properties or communities may file a written protest against the application for conversion xxx Provided, that in case the protestant or oppositor is an identified beneficiary under the agrarian reform program of the land applied for and who failed to file a written protest within the said period due to fraud, accident, mistake or excusable neglect, he shall have the right to intervene at any time during the pendency of the application.

DAR Administrative Order No. 1, series of 2004

Section 16. Protest. Persons affected by the proposed land use conversion, such as identified beneficiaries, farmers, agricultural lessees, share tenants, actual tillers, occupants or residents of adjoining properties or communities, may file a written protest xxx. An oppositor who is an identified Agrarian Reform Beneficiary (ARB) of the land applied for conversion, and who failed to file a written protest within the period due to FISTS, may intervene at any time during the pendency of the application

Although the above-cited provisions refer to the legal standing of identified beneficiaries, farmers, agricultural lessees, share tenants, actual tillers, occupants or residents of adjoining properties or communities to protest to applications for conversion of agricultural lands, the same principle applies to petitions for cancellation of approved conversion orders.

The present petition for cancellation of the conversion order is synonymous to a protest by the community residents and landless farmers themselves who were directly affected by the failure of NQSRMDC and its successor-in-interest SMFI to comply with the conditions of the conversion order to the great detriment of the community residents and landless farmers who could have benefited from the land which remained idle and uncultivated for 10 years.

The fact the SMFI plans to illegally transform the whole 144-hectare property into a piggery farm right in the midst of the farmers' residents, in violation of the authorized development plan in the conversion order, raises immediate concern to the petitioners. The active participation of the actual residents and the landless farmers in filing the instant petition, as they are the ones who are directly affected thereby, confirms their legal standing to petition its cancellation.

The petitioners also bring the instant petition under the doctrine of intergenerational responsibility as enunciated in the case of Oposa vs. Factoran. Essentially, the principle means that we hold the natural resource treasures of the earth in trust for the benefit, enjoyment and use of the generations of humankind yet to come. Petitioners herein, as the actual residents and qualified farmer-beneficiaries of the 144-hectare land, represent not only themselves but also future generations who are directly affected by NQSRMDC and SMFI's illegal conversion of the land, and who are the future beneficiaries thereof.

Furthermore, the effect of granting the petition for revocation of the conversion order is the reversion of the land to the status of agricultural lands and shall be subject to CARP coverage as circumstances may warrant. The petitioners and their future generations will be the beneficiaries of the subject land's CARP coverage under Section 22 of RA 6657. The cancellation of the Conversion Order will result in the reversion of the land to agricultural use which is coverable under CARP. In other words, the cancellation of the Conversion Order will redound to the benefit of the Sumilao Farmers and their future generations, otherwise, they will suffer the consequences if the Conversion Order will be upheld.

UP Fair Booth Bidding Update: 21 Nov 2007

ATTENTION All ORGS!!!

Bid Booklets are now available at the USC Office. Please claim them.

Submission of Bids is extended!! November 23, 2007, 5 pm na ang submission.

The next All Leaders Conference will be held on November 28, 2007 instead of the previously announced Nov. 23.

PLEASE READ!!!

All orgs are required to AT LEAST merit 100 points for each of the bagsakan sets. Meaning, you should be present every weeek for the bagsakan. This is to ensure that we will be able to collect sufficient amount of goodies that will be distributed during the Community Fair and for emergency purposes.

There will be no maximum number of t-shirts that could be ordered. However, a maximum of ONLY 10 Centennial planners will be credited to your organization if you decided to buy. But of course we are not limiting you to buy for your own perusal and satisfaction.

Tanghalan Tanghalian with the UP Concert Chorus!

Place your orders! UP Centennial LImited Edition 2008 Planner

UP Fair Committee established

The University Student Council has started preparing for the much-awaited UP Fair to be held from February 11 to 16 at the Sunken Garden. The UP Fair committee is an Ad Hoc committee whose officers are appointed by the Chairperson. The over-all head of the committee is Councilor Ipay Bolibol. The head for the marketing is Councilor Jo Latuja and College of Arts and Letters Representative Bang Dizon; School of Library and Information Science Representative Gerald Pena for programs; Institute of Islamic Studies and College of Education Representative Pau Mendoza for booth; College of Human Kinetics Representative Mec Fajardo for logistics; College of Fine Arts Representative Ella Sombillo for publicity; and National College of Public Administration and Governance Representative Ryan Ferrer and College of Home Education representative Migs Eslava for security.

In line with this, the USC will hold an ALL LEADERS CONFERENCE (ALC) on 16 November 2007, Friday,5:30pm at the USC office, 2^nd floor Vinzons Hall, to discuss pertinent information about the guidelines of acquiring booths for the UP Fair. USC shall also present its activities and campaigns for the second semester. Kindly send at least one representative to this ALC.

Should you have any inquiry, kindly visit the USC office at the Vinzons Hall or contact Pau at 0915 241 2003 or Tani 0906 489 2545.

Join the UP Centennial Planner Team!

Student Regent Selection Schedule

Office of the Student Regent
Vinzons Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City
_____________________________________________________________________**

TO ALL UP STUDENT COUNCILS:

*The schedule of the Student Regent Selection for the 2008 UP Student Regent are as follows:

November 12-23 Call for Nominations at the College Units

November 26-30 College Search Committee Deliberations on College-Level SR Nominees and Submission of Report and Recommendations to the University Search Committee

December 3-14 University Search Committee Acceptance of Nominations*, Deliberations and Submission of Report and Recommendations to the Office of the Student Regent

December 14 (5pm) Final Day of Submission of Report and Recommendation to the Office of the Student Regent

December 21-22 System-Wide Student Regent Selection (Tentative Venue: UP
Cebu)

**nominations to the University Search Committee are subject to the rules provided by the CRSRS.

Please be guided accordingly. For inquiries, contact 09158513904.

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

J.M. Terry L. Ridon
*Student Regent
University of the Philippines*

Rent your textbook for free at USC's TREC

UPSE students can text Marian at 09274006709 for inquiries.
Textbook Rental and Education Center (TREC) is a service brought to you by the
University Student Council.

General Assembly of Student Councils held at UP LB

The School of Economics Student Council (SESC) recently attended the General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) last October 29-30 at the Makiling Hall, Student Union Building, UP Los Banos. Convened by the Office of the Student Regent (OSR), the GASC tackled proposed amendments to the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS). SESC's contingent was composed of Chairperson Mario Garcia, Senior Batch Representative Sarsi Adan, and Freshmen Batch Representative Cathy Alcantara. Yours truly registered with the University Student Council, UP Diliman (USC-UPD). Chairperson Shan Abdulwahid, Vice Chairperson Viktor Fontanilla, councilors Third Bagro, Aisa King, Noel Reyes, Paolo Mapula, Jo Latuja, Nina Acasio, Ipay Bolibol, Jeff Crisostomo and college representatives Dindin Grey, Mae Palgan, Jordan Ursua, Oliver Co, Migs Eslava, Gerald Pena, Bang Dizon, Ralph Penafiel, and Anton Dulce also registered with the UPD-USC.

To access pertinent files regarding the GASC, click on the following links. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open them.

Agenda

House Rules

Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS)

Proposed Amendment of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council-UP Diliman to CRSRS

Proposed Amendment of the School of Economics Student Council-UP Diliman to CRSRS

Proposed Amendment of the College of Arts and Sciences-UP Manila to CRSRS

How CSCs and USCs voted on proposed amendments

*To access the links above all in one file, click here.


To know more about the GASC and what the School of Economics Student Council has in store for you this coming semester, attend the first School of Economics Student Assembly on November 12. Loads of fun, information, and surprises await you!