A. Contracts/Agreements
V. OTHER MATTERS (cont’d)
1. Proposed Enhanced Faculty Sick Leave Benefit (eFSLB) … (cont’d) . . .
1.5 Regent Go inquired whether the University is allowed to adopt the practice of the private sector of accruing the expected liability every year and amortizing employees’ benefits over a certain period. President Concepcion replied that they are now studying the source of income that can fund the additional benefits which they can put in a sinking fund or trust fund. But in the meantime, he requested deferment of action on the matter since the administration is not yet ready in terms of identifying a steady source of funding to support the additional benefits.
1.6 With the explanation of President Concepcion, Regent Go expressed his support for the proposed increase from 10 days to 15 days of eSRP but subject to the final determination by the UP System administration on a steady source of funding.
1.7 On the query of Regent Dupo regarding the timeline of the study and consultation on the matter, President Concepcion responded that he does not have the actual timeline yet, but he will submit to the BOR once it is finalized.
1.8 Regent Jimenez shared that during the BOR Briefing, it was made clear that the matter of the proposed eFSLB and eSRP will not be decided by the BOR in this current meeting. The matter was included in the agenda only for reporting and updating purposes. He also recalled that President Concepcion is yet to identify a steady source of income to sustainably fund the additional benefits even beyond his term as President. He understood that while it may be true that there is a possible budget to fund such benefit until 2022, the concern of the President is the steady source of funding beyond his term. President Concepcion agreed that the BOR cannot simply approve to grant the additional five days only up to 2022 or approve with a colatilla of “subject to availability of funds” because that will be problematic in the future. The moment the BOR approves the additional five days of eSRP, it will become part of the regular benefits of the employees forever.
1.9 Regent Co supported the request of Regent Pedrano to hopefully finish the study before the year 2021 ends so that those administrative staff and REPS who will be retiring this year may enjoy the additional five days of eSRP upon their retirement. President Concepcion stated that aside from the source of funding, they will also look at the legal basis for giving such benefit because the Commission on Audit is now starting to question the legal basis of economic benefits given by the University that are over and above existing benefits provided by law. However, he assured the Board that his administration will try its best to finish the study and the consultation before the year ends and to submit the same for the consideration of the BOR.
1.10 Regent Jimenez advised that, based on the proposals presented and discussed during the BOR Briefing, the University prioritize its limited resources, by giving primacy to the administrative staff and REPS because they need it more and they have smaller salaries compared to the faculty.
25 1. Proposed Enhanced Faculty Sick Leave Benefit (eFSLB) … (cont’d)
. . .
Board Action: NO ACTION. The President to further study the source of funding for the additional benefits and to report to the BOR before the year ends.
2. On the Status of University Housing
2.1 President Concepcion reported that the University offers limited slots for the housing requirements of both the academic and non-academic personnel due to its limited housing facilities. Since the slots are limited, the CUs with faculty and staff housing units have promulgated their own set of rules and guidelines on the awarding of the said housing units. On the part of the UP System, he reported that there have been efforts and initiatives to provide for additional housing facilities to accommodate more faculty and staff. In fact, during the time of former President Alfredo Pascual, the University got a funding from the national government for the construction of a three-storey faculty and staff housing in UP Diliman. He said, however, that the project has not commenced yet because the designated development site for the housing facility is occupied by informal settlers and the problem is the relocation site and relocation houses for them. Even the identification of the relocation site took a while. The relocation site in Pook Malinis was eventually identified and with the help of the Quezon City government, each family was provided with P5000 cash assistance and hauling services to help them relocate and rebuild their houses at Pook Malinis. Even the Department of Public Works and Highways helped in building the relocation houses and the University facilitated the electricity and water connections for them. However, despite all these efforts, there are still about 24 families that have not yet vacated the development site.
2.2 On his long-term plan on faculty and staff housing, President Concepcion said that if ever there will be plans for additional housing facilities inside the campus, it will be a condominium-type housing in order to accommodate more employees but using smaller lot areas. UP’s land assets with informal settlers may be offered to investors who are willing to spend money for building tenement houses therefor in exchange for their use and lease of the land from the University.
2.3 Regarding the prioritization and equity of access on the housing units, President Concepcion explained that he will have to confer with the different Chancellors who have housing facilities in their campuses on what their priority lists are, how they do the prioritization, who are entitled to priorities, and who exercise discretion on the awarding of housing units.
26
V. OTHER MATTERS
(cont’d) . . .2. On the Status of University Housing (cont’d) . . .
2.4 Regent Jimenez suggested including in the report of the Chancellors the repair and maintenance of employee housing because he received many reports of dilapidated houses not being maintained by the tenants and the leasing out of residential units to commercial establishments that are already protruding in the streets, which could be fire hazards. He also suggested looking into the long-term housing program of the University for the employees, as well as for the communities in Iloilo and in Mindanao. By housing plan, he meant a housing plan that fits UP’s concept of human habitability, presentability, and aesthetics because these could improve employees’ efficiency and loyalty.
2.5 President Concepcion shared that the biggest challenge of the University on the use of its lands for any development projects is the relocation of informal settlers occupying these UP lands. He shared that in the case of the PGH Diliman project, there are about 81 families of informal settlers inside the 4.5 hectares of space allotted for the PGH Diliman. He said that he already talked to the Quezon City government regarding the relocation of the 81 affected informal settlers only to find out later that the previously identified vacant space is no longer vacant and that the number of affected families has increased. He noted that there are problems in the manner by which the security guards and UP police have been guarding UP’s property. If nothing is done to address the problem on informal settlers, the University will lose its lands with commercial value to informal settlers and the options available to the President or to Chancellors to use its lands as an instrument to raise funds or income for the University will be limited.
2.6 After further discussion, Regent Jimenez proposed to require the Chancellors to submit an initial but comprehensive report on their housing programs, particularly in terms of availability, equity of access, repair and maintenance, and the long- term plans of CUs on the housing needs of their employees, including funding requirement and funding source.
2.7 President Concepcion supported the motion of Regent Jimenez. There being no objections, the motion was approved.
2.8 Regent Laurel remarked that since the UP System is requiring all CUs to submit their respective campus development plans, he suggested asking the CUs to include the housing plan as part of their campus development plans.
Board Action: NOTED. The Chancellors are directed to submit a report on housing facilities within their CUs, including availability, equity of access, repair and maintenance, and long term plans on improving housing availability for their faculty and staff.
27 . . .
3. Board of Regents Resolution recognizing the service rendered by Dr. Teodoro J.
Herbosa as Executive Vice President of the University of the Philippines
3.1 Regent Laurel submitted for BOR consideration and approval a resolution giving recognition to the service rendered by Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa as Executive Vice President of the University of the Philippines. The resolution is in grateful appreciation of the work that he has done as Executive Vice-President for four (4) years, especially during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the work that he continues to do for the UP Manila College of Medicine. Regent Aguiluz seconded the motion. The draft resolution was flashed on screen and read aloud by Secretary Lara.
3.2 Regent Co said that while she joins Regent Laurel in giving appreciation for the contribution of Dr. Herbosa in the medical field, she expressed concerns regarding public perception because of the controversial issues in the social media involving Dr. Herbosa. Regent Laurel clarified that the University is merely recognizing the outstanding service of Dr. Teodoro Herbosa as Executive Vice President and has nothing to do with the social media issues.
3.3 Regent Jimenez recognized the concerns raised by Regent Co to be valid. He then suggested identifying certain passages in the resolution that may be tweaked or modified to alleviate her concerns.
3.4 Regent Aguiluz manifested that not commending the excellent service rendered by Dr. Teodoro Herbosa would be a greater disservice. While she does not see the reason why it should not be published as it is, she agreed with the suggestion Regent Jimenez to reword or revise certain passages of the resolution.
3.5 For her part, Regent Dupo supported the recognition of the contributions of Dr.
Herbosa, but she agreed with Regent Jimenez to allow the draft resolution to be subjected to the comments of Regent Co and to look at some of the wording used.
3.6 After further discussion, President Concepcion moved to refer the draft resolution to Regent Jimenez and Regent Co for redrafting, and to resubmit the revised draft to the BOR for approval. Regent Laurel seconded the motion.
3.7 Towards the end of the meeting, Regent Jimenez resubmitted the revised draft resolution for consideration and approval by the other members of the BOR.
Secretary Lara read the revised resolution, as follows:
“Whereas, Professor Teodoro Javier Herbosa, MD FPCS FPCEM has served as Executive Vice President of the University of the Philippines, System since 2017 with competence and professionalism, thereby helping fulfil its mission as the nation’s premiere research, teaching and public service institution;
28
V. OTHER MATTERS
(cont’d) . . .3. Board of Regents Resolution . . . (cont’d) . . .
Whereas, as Executive Vice President of the UP System, he played a key role in planning and executing the UP System’s responses to meet the challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic, coordinating the operations of its skeletal force, the implementation of Work-From-Home scheme, observance of strict quarantine protocols and the critical transition from the traditional residential to the new, off-campus, remote learning delivery modes, among others;
Whereas, as a medical doctor and alumnus of the UP College of Medicine, he has served the University and the people for over 30 years in various capacities, including as Undersecretary of the Department of Health, and as professor at the UP College of Medicine, which he continues to this day;
Whereas, over and above the call of duty, he has volunteered his services as Special Adviser to the National Task Force Against COVID 19, thereby placing himself in the frontlines of the national effort to defeat the pandemic;
Whereas, Professor Teodoro Javier Herbosa, now returns to teaching as Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the UP College of Medicine, and continues to serve as Special Adviser to the National Task Force Against COVID 19, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the University of the Philippines System, Board of Regents:
1. Commends Professor Teodoro Javier Herbosa MD for his professionalism, competence, and dedication as Executive Vice to the University; and
2. Expresses its sincere appreciation to Professor Teodoro Javier Herbosa, MD for his many positive contributions and admirable efforts to help the University fulfil its great mission to “shape the minds that shape the nation.”
3.8 Regent Co inhibited from further discussion and approval of the resolution explaining that, upon consultation with her constituents, it would be difficult for the Office of the Student Regent to be involved in the drafting and approval of the said resolution given the sentiments of the students on the issue involving Dr.
Herbosa. President Concepcion likewise recused himself from participating in the deliberation and the adoption of the resolution.
29 . . .
3. Board of Regents Resolution … (cont’d) . . .
3.9 The motion being duly made and seconded, the resolution giving recognition to the service rendered by Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa as Executive Vice President of the University of the Philippines was adopted. President Concepcion and Regent Co abstained. President Concepcion manifested that Regent Villanueva and Regent Mark Go did not participate in the deliberation and adoption of the resolution.
Board Action: APPROVED 4. Status Report on COVID-19 Vaccination across CUs
4.1 President Concepcion reported that he already requested the Chancellors to submit a report to the BOR on the status of vaccination plans in their respective campuses. For his part, he said that the University had initially planned to procure COVID-19 vaccines and to vaccinate its faculty, students, and staff. However, they were faced at the outset with many issues and challenges such as the need for data on the actual number of people who are willing to be vaccinated, the type of vaccines to be procured, the handling and deployment of the vaccines, the vaccination sites, and others. The UP System through the Office of the Vice President for Administration initially conducted a survey of the faculty and staff regarding vaccination, the results of which validated the national survey data that less than 30% Filipinos are willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. It also showed that UP employees have varied brand preferences which makes the challenge even greater because some of the preferred brands are not yet available in the country. Another important consideration is the cost of the vaccines, the initial batch of which would already amount to approximately P90 Million, not including the cost of handling and storage.
4.2 President Concepcion added that many of the faculty and staff who are residing outside UP campuses have been vaccinated already in their respective local government units (LGUs). He advised the CUs to partner with their respective LGUs and offer their campuses as vaccination sites. The UP Diliman and UP Los Baños administrations responded to the call and partnered with the Quezon City and Los Baños City governments, respectively, to offer their gymnasiums as vaccination hubs for their localities. The vaccines will come from the LGUs for free and will follow the vaccination prioritization framework of the government.
4.3 For the vaccination of students, President Concepcion stated that the main problem is the shuttling of the students to their respective campuses for the vaccination. As a solution, they thought of asking the help of civic organizations or the LGUs with very good vaccination centers to vaccinate UP students in their localities. He also said that there are several private entities who are willing to sponsor the vaccines for students, particularly the student-athletes. However, they have yet to clarify with the IATF whether the privately procured vaccines may deviate from the prioritization framework set by the DOH simply because they are the ones that procured the vaccines.
30
V. OTHER MATTERS
(cont’d) . . .4. Status Report on COVID-19 Vaccination across CUs (cont’d) . . .
4.4 Regent Aguiluz inquired if UP will adopt a policy for mandatory vaccination since UP Manila is planning to return to partial face-to-face classes, and some faculty and clinicians expressed concerns for their safety and protection if they are not all vaccinated. She also asked the policy of UP for those students who are not willing to be vaccinated. President Concepcion said that the IATF committed to prioritize the NCR and other urban centers in the allocation of vaccines, and UP campuses with vaccination hubs will surely benefit from that. Regarding mandatory vaccination, he said that there may be a constitutional issue in requiring students to be vaccinated in order to attend face-to-face classes. As a matter of fact, the Department of Labor and Employment already issued a memorandum that an agency cannot require a worker to be vaccinated to report back to work. Similarly, he said that the University cannot require a student to get vaccinated before he or she is allowed to attend a face-to-face class.
4.5 Regent Co concurred with President Concepcion’s statement that there may be constitutional issues in requiring students to get vaccinated before allowing them to return to their classes. She shared, however, that during consultations held by her office, graduating students at the UP Manila School of Health Sciences (SHS) raised their need to be vaccinated as they are required to go to the communities to provide basic health services as part of their course programs. She asked about the plan of the University to help them complete their course requirements to be able to graduate. In response, President Concepcion stressed that since the University does not have its own vaccines and the vaccines are provided for free by the national government through the DOH. UP cannot simply vaccinate students, faculty, and staff without following the conditions and prioritization framework of DOH. The moment these conditions and prioritization are violated, the government will stop providing vaccines and UP will be left on its own. He commented that since the SHS students provide basic health services to the communities, they should be classified as frontliners under A1 category and be given priority vaccination by PGH.
4.6 President Concepcion also confirmed Regent Co’s understanding that the standing policy of the University for now is to encourage students to register and get vaccinated at their respective LGUs. He said that they will also verify with the IATF whether the vaccines procured by private entities may deviate from the priority listing of the government. Regent Laurel informed the Board that overseas alumni of UP Los Baños have volunteered to ship vaccines to the Philippines for the students, but the problems are the distribution and administration issues that were brought up by the President, especially since UP students are scattered all over the country.
4.7 At this point, Chair De Vera rejoined the meeting.