PLM opens the AY; asserts its autonomy

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) commenced the Academic Year 2023 - 2024, welcoming its returning students and around 2000 freshmen, Aug. 29.

Students were greeted by the performances of the newly established College of Music headed by its Dean, Prof. Harold Galang.

PLM Board of Regents Chairperson Atty. Jose Ngaw welcomed the students for their first day of class and the start of the academic year.

University President Emmanuel Leyco concluded the morning ceremonies by welcoming the PLMayers and thanking employees who prepared the program, classroom, and facilities in the PLM for the opening of the classes.

In line with the celebration of National Heroes Day last Aug. 28, Leyco stated to not forget the Filipino heroes who fought for the freedom and sovereignty of the country. He added that the heroes of the education sector should also be remembered.

“Huwag din po natin kakalimutan ang bayani ng sektor ng edukasyon, pinangungunahan po ng ating mga guro, pinangungunahan ng ating mga estudyante, pinangungunahan kasama ang ating mga kawani ng pamantasan upang ipagpatuloy ang ating pong magandang ginagawa, magandang record ng Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila,” Leyco said. 

In addition, Leyco also emphasized facing the issues threatening the independence of the University with everyone and called all stakeholders to assert together its autonomy and direction established for more than fifty years. 

Last Aug. 15, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) sent a letter revoking the exception of PLM in complying with the policies on institutional recognition of Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs). PLM’s failure to comply would result in the commission recommending to the Governing Board on Free Tertiary Education the delisting of the university as its beneficiary.

The administration has already sent a reply to the letter. The University President refuted the claims that students will now pay tuition fees in an online briefing last Sunday and reiterated it in his remarks.

“At ito rin po. Mayroon man pong issue ang mga tao na sasabihin [nilang ay] magbabayad na raw po ang mga estudyante ng tuition [fees]. Hindi po yan totoo,” Leyco explained.

READ ALSO: ‘Hindi po tayo maniningil ng tuition mula sa mga estudyante’ - Pres. Leyco

The administration also asserted that PLM is a chartered university created by a national law and not by a local ordinance and should not be recognized only as an LUC. Therefore, the university should not be delisted as a beneficiary and students could still enjoy free higher education.

"Kaya po kung mayroon mang pong mga issue, kung mayroon man pong maaring makapaglihis sa direksyon na tinatahak ng ating pamantasan, sama-sama rin po natin linawin ito at wala rin pong makakasagabal sa patuloy na pagpapatupad ng patakaran ng PLM," the University President added.

Leyco said that students will not be asked to pay tuition fees as there are laws affirming their right to free education. 

“Mayroon nga [r]in po na ang sinsabi ay hindi raw po makakasweldo ang mga mangagawa, wala pong katotohanan ang mga alingasngas na iyan,” the president also clarified the issues on the salaries of the employees.

In the same online briefing, Leyco reassures university stakeholders that they are exhausting all available measures to remedy the concern.

In an interview, the Supreme Student Council (SSC) President Vince De Guzman welcomes new faces in the university, “Una sa lahat, ako’y nalulugod na syempre sa ating pagbabalik klase dito sa ating pinakamamahal na pamantasan ay marami kaagad tayong nakitang mga bagong mukha. Lalo na yung ating mga freshman na alam natin na napaka-excited din nila dahil sa kanilang first day of classes [din].” 

De Guzman also emphasized that student concerns and issues must also be addressed in the opening of classes.

“Pero kailangan pa natin tingnan lahat ng mga problema na kinahaharap ng bawat estudyante dito sa pamantasan lalo na ngayon ang mga concern sa enrollment,” De Guzman said.

The SSC President also shared the concerns of ‘floating students’ who have issues with the enrollment procedures.

“Pati na rin sa pagkakaroon ng mga issues o ng [ating mga] PLM demands din na panawagan din ng ating mga mass organizations,” the SSC President added.

De Guzman said that the opening of classes is also an opportunity to discuss the needs of every stakeholder in the Pamantasan, “At syempre nakikiisa tayo rito, lalo na sa pagbubukas ng klase, dahil isang panuruang taon na naman ang kailangan nating pagdaanan at syempre dito, matatalakay talaga natin lahat ng pangangailangan ng bawat isa.” 

The students also held a protest, the First Day Fight, together with the SSC, mass organizations, and accredited student organizations.