UM students walkout versus base 20

Davao City- Hundreds of students from the University of Mindanao (UM) staged a barricade and a walk-out Tuesday to manifest their strong opposition against the administration’s latest Base-20 and Retention policies.

The Base 20 policy directs the teaching staff to implement the 80% passing grade while the Retention policy mandates that three (3) failing grades in any major subject will result to the “forced” shifting of the student.

“According to the administration, these policies would improve the quality of education in UM. But the truth is that this is just another policy that smokescreens the deteriorating quality of education in the university and the country as a whole. The base 20 and retentition policy will benefit the profit-hungry UM administration who will face a deluge of students taking and retaking their courses,” said Glen Rubio of Anakbayan- University of Mindanao

Without undergoing due consultation process with the studentry, UM has implemented these policies therefore sparking rage from the students.

The students barricaded the UM Main campus in outright defiance against the profit-hungry and repressive administration of the university.

“We challenge the UM admin and CHED to make immediate and appropriate actions. The students will employ other forms of actions to demand for the scrapping of these repressive policies. Such policies cannot resolve the real problems besetting the education system owing to the massive commercialization of education. Specifically, the schools’ curriculum, facilities and modes of teaching must be developed within the framework of a pro-poor and nationalist educational system,” said Rubio.

Noy: Day 1

As a Mindanaoan youth, I expect the administration of Noynoy Aquino to urgently prosecute the previous administration for its atrocities committed against the people.

Concrete actions are also expected to address the education crisis. He may allot emergency funds for education in his first 100 days and he should also push for the automatic allocation of the 6% of our GDP for education spending.

Mindanao, which plays a vital role in the agricultural sector, needs the new administration to implement a genuine agrarian reform program that will stand for the interests of the farmers.

For the working class, it is imperative that the proposed P125 nationwide wage increase be immediately approved. In contrast to what is being practiced in Hacienda Luisita, fair working conditions and the right to organize unions should be championed at all times.

And of course, I expect the new administration to deal with the peace and order situation particularly here in Mindanao. We call on Aquino to make all necessary actions to ensure the resumption of peace talks on both the MILF and the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Youth gives Arroyo failing grade; challenges Aquino to prosecute her

“Finally, the end is here and Gloria must face the final curtain,” this was the statement of Karlos Manlupig, Regional Spokesperson of League of Filipino Students, as youth led by Kabataan Partylist, LFS and Anakbayan today staged a march-protest as a send-off for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“We deplore Arroyo for further neglecting the millions of youth in her 9-year rule who were forced to quit school and suffer the miserable working and farming conditions in our country,” said Sheena Duazo of Kabataan Partylist.

In a study conducted by the National Union of Students in the Philippines, only 1 out of 10 Filipino students were able to get a college degree under the US-Arroyo administration.

“This our solid basis in giving Arroyo a failing mark in her performance as the president of the country,” Duazo said.

Manlupig explained that Arroyo’s exit from Malacanang today does not mean that the people will easily forget her atrocities. “Arroyo and her rabid lapdogs must pay dearly for their sins. And we will do all necessary actions to ensure that they face what they deserve,” Manlupig added.

The youth groups also challenge Noynoy Aquino to make sure that Arroyo be severely punished for all her crimes to the Filipino people.

“The “daang matuwid” presented by Aquino have to mean the prosecution of Arroyo,” added Manlupig.###

Skimboarding in Digos City

Sauntering by the shoreline with my mom, we saw some teens braving the waves of Digos City using round and short type of surfboards called skimboards. I immediately took my cam and clicked using the multi-shot function.

Skimboarding is a water sport where many Filipino youth are doing well. Contests and workshops are being conducted regularly in different spots here in Mindanao.

After watching them ride the waves, I am now planning to swap my old skateboard for a skimboard.