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GAZETTE The University of the Philippines
VOLUME LII NUMBER 7 ISSN No. 0115-7450
DECISIONS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS
Table of Contents
1363
rdBOR Meeting, 26 August 2021
I. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING OF THE BOARD
A. 1362nd BOR Meeting, 29 July 2021
1. On the Request for Reprogramming of UP System Administration’s Unexpended Balances of Prior Years’ Obligations………...
2. On the Continuation of the Grant for Teaching Enhancement and Academic Support………..
B. 1357th BOR Meeting, 28 January 2021
1. Creation of a Technical Working Group (TWG) to review the proposed Resolution drafted by the Sectoral Regents on the UP-DND Agreement, and to recraft and refine the same, if necessary ………..
C. 1343rd BOR Meeting, 28 March 2019
1. On the Proposed Enhanced Faculty Sick Leave Benefit and Enhanced Service Recognition Pay………
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II. MATTERS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
A. GENERAL GOVERNANCE
1. Appointment of University Officials ……….
1.1 Appointment of Prof. ELPIDIO M. AGBISIT, JR. as Dean of the College of Agriculture and Food Science, UP Los Baños, effective 27 September 2021 until 26 September 2024
1.2 Appointment of Dr. FE M. DELA CUEVA as Director of the Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Food Science, UP Los Baños, effective 26 August 2021 until 25 August 2024
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B. ACADEMIC MATTERS
1. Proposed UP Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research……….
2. Proposed Grant of Authority to the Different CUs to Waive Specific Laboratory Fees………...
3. On CHED-funded Research Projects………..
1.3 Request for Extension of the CHED-NCCA Salikha Grant Titled “Sama Origins and Transformations: Evidence from Genes, Languages and Culture” under Dr. Corazon De Ungria, NSRI-UP Diliman, until June 2022
1.4 Request for Extension and Budget Realignment of the CHED-NHERA II Project Titled “Marine Fisheries Assessment of Panay: Building Local Fisheries Information Through Research Capability Enhancement in HEIs” under Dr. Ricardo Babaran, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UP Visayas, until 28 February 2022
1.5 Memorandum of Agreement between the University of the Philippines Diliman through the College of Human Kinetics (CHK) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the project titled “Guidelines for International Continuing Professional Education (ICPE)”
4. Establishment of the Abba’s Orchard Professorial Chair in Mechanical Engineering, UP Diliman………
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1363rd BOR Meeting,
26 August 2021 Decisions of the Board of Regents UP Gazette
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iii C. FISCAL MATTERS
1. Request for Reprogramming of UP System Administration’s Unexpended Balances of Prior Years’ Obligations in the Amount of P135,000,000.00….
2. Request for Reprogramming of UP Manila’s Unexpended Balances from Prior Year’s Obligations from the General Fund in the total amount of P491,699,000.00……….
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C. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
1. Appointment of Mr. Mario V. Navasero as Scientist II in the Scientific Career System, pursuant to Executive Orders 708 and 901, effective 17 May
2019……… 10
III. MATTERS FOR CONFIRMATION OF THE BOARD
1. Confirmation of the approval of the President of the graduation of students whose names are included in the lists submitted by the following Constituent Universities, who have completed all the requirements for their respective degrees/titles as of the end of Second Semester AY 2019-2020, Midyear 2020, First Semester AY 2020-2021, and Second Semester AY 2020-2021, or as of the end of term specified, and recommended by their respective University Councils:………...
a. UP Los Baños b. UP Manila
c. UP Open University
2. Matters Approved by the Board of Regents by Referendum:
07 August 2021
“Urgent Approval of UP’s request to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) of P295.7M for the expansion of genomically-informed biosurveillance in the country through the provision of the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) equipment and manpower to PGC-Visayas and PGC- Mindanao to make their facilities and resources at par with those in PGC”…….
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IV. MATTERS FOR INFORMATION OF THE BOARD
1. Change of Name of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, UP College of Medicine- Philippine General Hospital………
2. Proposed AY 2021-2022 Academic Calendar of the Professional Masters in Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management (PM-TMEM) Program………
3. Deed of Donation between the Orchards of Abba Corp. and the UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc., for the establishment of the Abba’s Orchard Professorial Chair in Mechanical Engineering, UP Diliman……….
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V. OTHER MATTERS
1. Proposed Enhanced Faculty Sick Leave Benefit (eFSLB) and Enhanced Service Recognition Pay (eSRP)………..
2. Memorandum of Agreement between the University of the Philippines and the City Government of Davao for the establishment of the Davao City Public Hospital in UP Mindanao Campus………..
3. On the Additional Agenda Items of Regent Dupo………
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DECISIONS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS 1363
rdMeeting, 26 August 2021
I. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING OF THE BOARD
A. 1362nd BOR Meeting, 29 July 2021
1. On the Request for Reprogramming of UP System Administration’s Unexpended Balances of Prior Years’ Obligations
1.1 President Concepcion said that this item is already in the agenda under Fiscal Matters and has been discussed in BOR Finance Committee meeting held on 17 August 2021.
2. On the Continuation of the Grant for Teaching Enhancement and Academic Support
2.1 President Concepcion explained that this item was not included in the agenda because it was referred first to the Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs (OVPLA) for review if it is in accordance with the DBM circular limiting internet support to P300 per month. He added that the problem is only with the internet subsidy given to faculty and staff because the internet subsidy for the students is covered under UniFAST. This will be included in the agenda once the report of the OVPLA is available.
B. 1357th BOR Meeting, 28 January 2021
1. Creation of a Technical Working Group (TWG) to review the proposed Resolution drafted by the Sectoral Regents on the UP-DND Agreement, and to recraft and refine the same, if necessary
1.1 President Concepcion updated the Board that Regent Francis Laurel is already part of the TWG and that the second meeting will be scheduled the soonest possible time.
C. 1343rd BOR Meeting, 28 March 2019
1. On the Proposed Enhanced Faculty Sick Leave Benefit and Enhanced Service Recognition Pay
1.1 President Concepcion stated that this has been discussed and endorsed by the BOR Finance Committee in its meeting held on 17 August 2021 and is included in the agenda under Other Matters.
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II. MATTERS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
A. GENERAL GOVERNANCE1. Appointment of University Officials
1.1 Appointment of Prof. ELPIDIO M. AGBISIT, JR. as Dean of the College of Agriculture and Food Science, UP Los Baños, effective 27 September 2021 until 26 September 2024
1.1.1 President Concepcion said that the search process for the next Dean of the College of Agriculture and Food Science was conducted and there was only one nominee, Dr. Elpidio Agbisit Jr., who is the incumbent Dean, whose term is expiring on 26 September 2021. Dr.
Agbisit was favorably recommended by UP Los Baños Chancellor Jose Camacho for a second term.
1.1.2 As President, President Concepcion endorsed the recommendation of the UPLB Chancellor for the approval of the BOR. Regent Pagdanganan moved for the approval of the appointment of Dr.
Elpidio Agbisit Jr. as Dean of the UPLB College of Agriculture and Food Science. There being no objections, the same was approved.
Board Action: APPROVED
1.2 Appointment of Dr. FE M. DELA CUEVA as Director of the Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Food Science, UP Los Baños, effective 26 August 2021 until 25 August 2024
1.2.1 For the next Director of the Institute of Plant Breeding, President Concepcion mentioned that the Search Committee submitted two (2) nominees: Dr. Fe M. Dela Cueva and Dr. Antonio G. Lalusin. The term of the incumbent Dean, Dr. Rodel Maghirang, expired on 7 July 2021 and the current Officer-in-Charge is Dr. Fe Dela Cueva.
Chancellor Camacho recommended Dr. Fe M. Dela Cueva to be the next Director of the Institute of Plant Breeding. As President, he endorsed the recommendation of the UPLB Chancellor for BOR approval. There being no objections to the motion duly made and seconded, the appointment of Dr. Dela Cueva as Director of the Institute of Plant Breeding was approved.
1.2.2 Regent Go inquired whether it is part of the job of the search committee to recommend to the Chancellor or to the President the best candidate for the position because it seems that the search committee is just submitting to the Board all the names of the candidates that have been nominated. President Concepcion responded that the Board, in the past, has prohibited the search committee from making a recommendation and from polling the faculty because it is divisive and might cause potential problems for
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II. MATTERS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
(cont’d) A. GENERAL GOVERNANCE (cont’d)1. Appointment of University Officials (cont’d) . . .
1.2 Appointment of Dr. FE M. DELA CUEVA … (cont’d)
the Chancellor, the President, or the Board in case there are differences in opinions or choices. The decision then was for the search committee to submit its findings and let the members of the Board determine for themselves who the best candidate is. He remarked that in the past, it was the job of the President to scout around for the best Director or Dean and recommend to the Board of Regents. If the recommendation of the President is not acceptable to the Board, the Board will simply reject the nominee of the President, and the President will look for another nominee. But that was changed when the BOR adopted a policy to constitute search committees to assist the BOR on the appointment of university officials.
Board Action: APPROVED
B. ACADEMIC MATTERS
1. Proposed UP Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
1.1 President Concepcion informed the Board that the proposed Code for Responsible Conduct of Research originated from UP Manila but is now being adopted by the UP System for application by the entire System. The proposed Code has been extensively discussed during the BOR Briefing held on 24 August 2021.
1.2 There being no objections to the motion to approve duly made and seconded, the same was approved.
Board Action: APPROVED
2. Proposed Grant of Authority to the Different CUs to Waive Specific Laboratory Fees
2.1 President Concepcion clarified that there are two (2) proposals being requested from the Board for approval: 1) the proposed list of specific laboratory fees to be waived; and 2) the grant of authority to the different CUs to waive specific laboratory fees. He added that these proposals were discussed in the BOR Briefing held on 24 August 2021.
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II. MATTERS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
(cont’d)B. ACADEMIC MATTERS (cont’d) . . .
2. Proposed Grant of Authority to the Different CUs to Waive Specific Laboratory Fees (cont’d)
. . .
2.2 Regent Go inquired about what specific laboratory fees are requested to be waived. President Concepcion explained that the proposed laboratory fees for waiver are those being charged to students who are no longer qualified under Republic Act 10931, known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. He further explained that not all laboratory fees are recommended for waiver even if they are not being used. Some laboratory fees are collected by the units for various reasons, such as for the maintenance of the laboratories used for remote teaching and payment of licenses and software subscriptions.
2.3 Vice President Bautista informed the Board that there are 2,122 courses for which laboratory fees are collected across the system, out of which 1,379 may be waived, while the remaining 743 laboratory fees will still be collected for the purposes mentioned by President Concepcion.
2.4 Based on the data presented to the Board, Regent Go proposed that CUs be provided only with the approved list of laboratory fees that may be waived and not to include the list of laboratory fees that will not be waived so as not to create any confusion. For clarification, President Concepcion proposed an amendment to the resolution of the Board on the matter, to wit: “Grant of authority to the different CUs to waive laboratory fees included in the list of laboratory fees that may be waived.”
2.5 Regent Co raised a possible complication on the proposed wording of the resolution since the units or colleges might change their minds in the future or they might find after further study that a certain laboratory fee that they previously declared as not waivable may become waivable in the future, or vice versa. She then proposed to give the CUs more leeway to decide for themselves what laboratory fees may be waived or may not be waived.
2.6 Regent Go said that if there are additional laboratory fees that the CUs would like to recommend for waiver, then they can submit to the BOR for approval since the BOR regularly meets every month. President Concepcion said that, from his understanding of the report, the authority that the Board is delegating to the CU is limited to the list of those laboratory fees that are determined by the CUs as waivable. Regent Co said that she understood that the CUs can always go back to the BOR for approval, but she also believes that the CUs have the capacity to determine what laboratory fees may be waivable or not waivable given that they are the ones implementing it on the ground.
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II. MATTERS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
(cont’d)B. ACADEMIC MATTERS (cont’d) . . .
2. Proposed Grant of Authority to the Different CUs to Waive Specific Laboratory Fees (cont’d)
. . .
2.7 As a compromise, President Concepcion proposed that, instead of delegating to the CUs, the Board can delegate to the President the authority to waive specific laboratory fees that are determined as not waivable now but may be considered as waivable later on, subject to reporting to and review by the Board. Regent Go posed no objection to the motion.
2.8 After further deliberations, the wording of the BOR resolution was finalized, as follows:
“Grant of authority to the different CUs to waive specific laboratory fees included in the list of laboratory fees that may be waived. Any addition/deletion of laboratory fees from the list shall be subject to the approval of the President and shall be submitted to the BOR for confirmation.”
2.9 Regent Go moved for the approval of the proposed resolution. Regent Co stated that she posed no objection to the same. There being no objections to the motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved the grant of authority to the different CUs to waive specific laboratory fees included in the list of laboratory fees that may be waived. Any addition/deletion of laboratory fees from the list shall be subject to the approval of the President and shall be submitted to the BOR for confirmation.
Board Action: APPROVED. Any addition/deletion of laboratory fees from the list shall be subject to the approval of the President and shall be submitted to the BOR for confirmation.
3. On CHED-funded Research Projects
3.1 President Concepcion explained that the request for extension until June 2022 of the CHED-NCCA Salikha Grant entitled “Sama Origins and Transformations: Evidence from Genes, Languages and Culture” under Dr. Corazon De Ungria of UP Diliman, has been approved by CHED, but CHED requires BOR approval before implementation.
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II. MATTERS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
(cont’d) . . .B. ACADEMIC MATTERS (cont’d) . . .
3. On CHED-funded Research Projects (cont’d) . . .
3.2 In response to Regent Go’s query as to the amount of the grant, Vice President Bautista clarified that there will no request for additional funds, only the request for extension to enable the proponents to complete the manual, which will be valuable for researchers. She said that she will provide Regent Go the information on the amount of the research grant, nonetheless.
3.3 Vice President Bautista informed the Board that when Chair De Vera instructed the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) to review all CHED-funded research proposals of the University before submission to the BOR for approval, the OVPAA created a review committee specifically for CHED-funded proposals. All those included in the agenda have been reviewed by this committee.
3.4 At this point, Chair De Vera rejoined the meeting. He explained that CHED enacted the policy that requires that new research proposals must have prior approval of the Board of Regents of the University before submitting to CHED for funding. This is to ensure that the research projects are consistent with the priorities of the University and not just the interest of individual researchers. Another policy requires that projects that request for extension or realignment must have BOR approval before submission to CHED. This way, the BOR is made aware that such projects are not being finished as scheduled. If the projects are not finished on time and the projects have unliquidated funds, then the University cannot get any subsequent funding from CHED.
3.5 Chair De Vera shared that the common reason why existing projects are delayed is because of the restrictions on travel or field work due to quarantine classifications. In such cases, CHED advises the proponents to recalibrate their methodology or change some parts of the projects to adapt to the current health situation. He added that some of the projects are unrealistically being pushed in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic which causes delays. In the case of UP, he trusts that the team of Vice President Bautista will oversee the monitoring and reviewing of the research proposals submitted to CHED for funding. Vice President Bautista assured that the review committee of OVPAA will be monitoring all research projects that go to the Board or CHED for approval.
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II. MATTERS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
(cont’d) . . .B. ACADEMIC MATTERS (cont’d) . . .
3. On CHED-funded Research Projects (cont’d) . . .
3.6 Regent Aguiluz inquired if the justifications for the request for extension are properly documented, to which Vice President Bautista replied in the affirmative. In the future, she said that they will also include in the BOR briefers the justifications and supporting documents.
3.7 At this point, Regent Go excused himself from the meeting since he has to participate in the initial meeting of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
3.8 After further discussions, Vice President Bautista asked Chair De Vera about the weight of the review by the OVPAA Review Committee in CHED’s consideration of the research projects. She cited as an example the research project under the Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes (PCARI) that was approved by the BOR at its last meeting wherein the OVPAA Review Committee commented on the timeline of the project, but PCARI projects have its own technical working group (TWG) that decides and approves PCARI projects. Chair De Vera said that he will give significant weight if the review group of UP will recommend revisions and provide comments for the improvement of the research proposal because, in the end, it is the priorities of the University that should matter. For PCARI projects, what he is looking for in the proposal is its linkage with other state universities and colleges (SUCs) and the benefits that SUCs will get from the project. Vice President Bautista said that, upon the instructions of the Board and as requested by Chair De Vera, the OVPAA Review Committee is now seriously reviewing all research proposals that will go to CHED for funding.
3.9 Chair De Vera thanked Vice President Bautista for putting in place a system of reviewing and monitoring research proposals requesting for CHED-funding. He then moved for the approval of all CHED-funded projects listed in the agenda. Regent Pagdanganan seconded the motion.
There being no objections, the following three (3) CHED-funded projects were approved:
a. Request for Extension of the CHED-NCCA Salikha Grant Titled
“Sama Origins and Transformations: Evidence from Genes, Languages and Culture” under Dr. Corazon De Ungria, NSRI-UP Diliman, until June 2022
Board Action: APPROVED
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II. MATTERS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
(cont’d) . . .B. ACADEMIC MATTERS (cont’d) . . .
3. On CHED-funded Research Projects (cont’d) . . .
b. Request for Extension and Budget Realignment of the CHED- NHERA II Project Titled “Marine Fisheries Assessment of Panay:
Building Local Fisheries Information Through Research Capability Enhancement in HEIs” under Dr. Ricardo Babaran, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UP Visayas, until 28 February 2022
Board Action: APPROVED
c. Memorandum of Agreement between the University of the Philippines Diliman through the College of Human Kinetics (CHK) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the project titled
“Guidelines for International Continuing Professional Education (ICPE)”
Board Action: APPROVED
4. Establishment of the Abba’s Orchard Professorial Chair in Mechanical Engineering, UP Diliman
4.1 President Concepcion raised some concerns on the requests of units or colleges for the establishment of professorial chairs named after a person or private entity that is funding the stipend of the professorial chair holder.
First, he said that it is high time that the Board set a standard minimum amount of stipend for professorial chair holders and to ensure that the donation for the purpose should be tenable for not less than three (3) years.
His second concern is that the donation from a private entity for the establishment of a professorial chair does not go directly to UP but to a foundation of the unit or college to which the professorial chair is to be established. He worries that the stipend coming from the foundation may be subject to withholding tax. If it were to come from UP, then it would be tax-free since a professorial chair is considered an academic grant which is tax-free under the UP Charter. He added that donating to UP will be more to the advantage of the professorial chair holder.
4.2 Vice President Bautista explained that the amount of P120,000 per year for three years is acceptable to the faculty. She said that the One UP Professorial Chair granted by the University offers the same amount. As to the concern whether it is tax-free if the donation is made through a foundation, she said that most foundations of the units secure a certification from the Department of Science and Technology to make professorial chairs tax-free.
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II. MATTERS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
(cont’d) . . .B. ACADEMIC MATTERS (cont’d) . . .
4. Establishment of the Abba’s Orchard Professorial Chair ... (cont’d) . . .
4.3 President Concepcion proposed to address these concerns through a technical working group or a focus group discussion that will review and study the guidelines for professorial chairs. In the meantime, he moved for the approval of the establishment of the Abba’s Orchard Professorial Chair in Mechanical Engineering in UP Diliman. There being no objections, the same was approved.
Board Action: APPROVED
C. FISCAL MATTERS 1
1. Request for Reprogramming of UP System Administration’s Unexpended Balances of Prior Years’ Obligations in the Amount of P135,000,000.00 1.1 President Concepcion explained that the original proposal from the Office
of the Vice President for Planning and Finance (OVPPF) was P130 Million but during the BOR Finance Committee meeting held on 17 August 2021, and upon motion made by Regent Laurel, the proposed amount was increased to P135 Million.
1.2 Regent Pagdanganan moved for the approval of request of the UP System Administration for the reprogramming of the unexpended balances of prior years’ obligations in the amount of P135 Million. Regent Laurel seconded the motion. There being no objections, the same was approved.
1.3 On a related matter, Regent Aguiluz inquired whether the reprogramming of funds is related to the news article regarding COA’s report on unliquidated funds of the University. President Concepcion replied in the negative. He explained that the news article pertains to the COA audit observation concerning three P5000 emergency assistance that the Board approved in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Board Action: APPROVED
_________________
1 In all resolutions involving the disbursement of funds, it is understood that the same must be subject to all existing government accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations.
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II. MATTERS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
(cont’d) . . .C. FISCAL MATTERS 1 (cont’d) . . .
2. Request for Reprogramming of UP Manila’s Unexpended Balances from Prior Year’s Obligations from the General Fund in the total amount of P491,699,000.00
2.1 President Concepcion explained that the reprogramming request of UP Manila was extensively discussed by the BOR Finance Committee in its meeting held on 17 August 2021 and is favorably endorsed for BOR approval.
2.2 Regent Pagdanganan moved for the approval of the reprogramming of UP Manila’s unexpended balances from prior years in the General Fund in the amount of P491,699,000.00. Regent Laurel seconded the motion. There being no objections, the request was approved.
Board Action: APPROVED
D. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS2
1. Appointment of Mr. Mario V. Navasero as Scientist II in the Scientific Career System, pursuant to Executive Orders 708 and 901, effective 17 May 2019
1.1 President Concepcion endorsed the approval by the BOR of the appointment of Mr. Mario Navasero as Scientist II under the Scientific Career System (SCS), pursuant to Executive Orders 708 and 901, effective 17 May 2019.
1.2 In response to the query of President Concepcion as to why it needs BOR approval if the SCS is under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Vice President Bautista explained that the approval of the salary differential by the mother agency is subject to approval by the BOR.
1.3 There being no objections to the motion to approve duly made and seconded, the appointment of Mr. Navasero as Scientist II was approved.
Board Action: APPROVED
_________________
1 In all resolutions involving the disbursement of funds, it is understood that the same must be subject to all existing government accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations.
2 These appointments have gone through the standard University peer review process from the Department to the College, the Constituent Universities concerned, and the University System. In cases where there was doubt about the process followed or about the fairness of the recommendations, the papers were returned to the unit concerned for review and recommendation.
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III. MATTERS FOR CONFIRMATION OF THE BOARD
There being no objections to the motion to confirm duly made and seconded, the Board CONFRMED the following:
1. Confirmation of the approval of the President of the graduation of students whose names are included in the lists submitted by the following Constituent Universities, who have completed all the requirements for their respective degrees/titles as of the end of Second Semester AY 2019-2020, Midyear 2020, First Semester AY 2020-2021, and Second Semester AY 2020-2021, or as of the end of term specified, and recommended by their respective University Councils:
a. UP Los Baños (endorsed by the UP Los Baños University Council at its 146th meeting held on 26 July 2021)
b. UP Manila (approved by the UP Manila University Council at its 114th meeting held on 14 July 2021; the additional list approved via referendum on 10-12 August 2021)
c. UP Open University (approved by the UPOU University Council at its 64th meeting held on 21 July 2021)
Board Action: CONFIRMED
2. Matters Approved by the Board of Regents by Referendum:
07 August 2021
“Urgent Approval of UP’s request to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) of P295.7M for the expansion of genomically-informed biosurveillance in the country through the provision of the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) equipment and manpower to PGC-Visayas and PGC-Mindanao to make their facilities and resources at par with those in PGC”
Board Action: CONFIRMED
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IV. MATTERS FOR INFORMATION OF THE BOARD
The Board NOTED all matters for information of the Board that were emailed to all Regents on 24 August 2021 (Memorandum No. OSU2021-07-08).
1. Change of Name of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, UP College of Medicine- Philippine General Hospital
2. Proposed AY 2021-2022 Academic Calendar of the Professional Masters in Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management (PM-TMEM) Program
3. Deed of Donation between the Orchards of Abba Corp. and the UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc., for the establishment of the Abba’s Orchard Professorial Chair in Mechanical Engineering, UP Diliman
V. OTHER MATTERS
1. Proposed Enhanced Faculty Sick Leave Benefit (eFSLB) and Enhanced Service Recognition Pay (eSRP), as follows:
a. Increase the Expanded Service Recognition Pay (eSRP) from 10 days to 15 days for Administrative Staff and REPS, effective 26 August 2021;
b. Provide eSRP to faculty members for their years of service as Administrative Staff and/or REPS, effective 26 August 2021;
c. Provide eSRP to faculty members for their years of service as Faculty Administrators, effective 26 August 2021; and,
d. Rename the Faculty Cumulative Sick Leave Benefit (FCSLB) to Faculty Cumulative Leave Benefit (FCLB), effective 26 August 2021.
1.1 President Concepcion informed the Board that the BOR Finance Committee discussed each proposal at length in its meeting held on 17 August 2021.
1.2 Regent Pedrano sought clarification on the effectivity of each proposal. She asked if it is possible to make each proposal effective from 01 January 2020 until 31 December 2020. President Concepcion replied in the negative, citing COA rules which prohibit the retroactive application or effectivity of the grant of economic benefits.
1.3 There being no objections to the motion to approve duly made and seconded, the four (4) proposals listed above were approved.
1.4 On behalf of the administrative staff and REPS, Regent Pedrano thanked the Board for approving the additional 5 days for eSRP. She said that this would be of great help for them.
Board Action: APPROVED
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V. OTHER MATTERS
(cont’d). . .
2. Memorandum of Agreement between the University of the Philippines and the City Government of Davao for the establishment of the Davao City Public Hospital in UP Mindanao Campus
2.1 President Concepcion reminded the Board that the BOR approved earlier this year the proposal of the City Government of Davao to establish a Davao City Hospital within the UP Mindanao campus, which shall be a teaching hospital for the exclusive use of the proposed UP Mindanao College of Medicine. The City Government of Davao will provide the funds to develop, build, construct, implement, and maintain the said public hospital, as well as funds for hospital operations, among others. He said that Vice President Zamora is on standby for any inquiries concerning the terms and conditions of the proposed MOA.
2.2 Regent Co asked why the City Government of Davao has chosen the UP Mindanao campus as development site for the Davao City Public Hospital.
President Concepcion replied that it is tied to UP’s plan to establish a College of Medicine in UP Mindanao. He added that setting up a College of Medicine would require a tertiary hospital, and the fastest way to build a teaching hospital is to tie up with the City Government of Davao which is aiming to establish a Level 3 Hospital in Davao.
2.3 There being no more additional questions, President Concepcion asked if there are objections to the motion to approve the proposed MOA between UP and the City Government of Davao. There being none, the MOA on the establishment of the Davao City Public Hospital in UP Mindanao campus was approved.
Board Action: APPROVED
3. On the Additional Agenda Items of Regent Dupo
3.1 Regent Dupo brought to the attention of the Board the issues raised by the representatives of the All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) during faculty consultations, as follows:
i. The Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) between UP and AUPAEU has been delayed because the UP System Administration is asserting that fringe benefits should not be included in the CNA. The Academic Union is concerned that excluding fringe benefits from the CNA might deprive the Union of the flexibility it needs in negotiating the amount of fringe benefits.
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ii. Regent Dupo also expressed apprehension regarding the suspension of tenure rules until 31 December 2021 since many of the faculty are still having problems complying with tenure rules due to the ongoing pandemic. The faculty are asking whether there would be a continued systemwide suspension of tenure rules after 31 December 2021 or if it would be done on a case-to-case basis thereafter.
iii. The faculty are asking whether there is a systemwide intervention for helping employees in distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for those who have contracted the virus. They are also looking for intervention regarding the work-life balance of the faculty, especially with the implementation of the work-from-home arrangement wherein the line between work and family life is becoming very thin and faculty members are nearing burnout.
iv. For smaller CUs with fewer faculty appointments, even the lecturers are now handling twelve (12) units of academic load. Since the compensation for lecturers are sourced from the lump sum, the faculty are asking whether the UP System can provide additional funding to enable the smaller CUs to hire more lecturers.
3.2 On the CNA with the Academic Union, President Concepcion explained that the law does not allow that non-negotiable fringe benefits such as rice subsidy and grocery allowance be included in the CNA. He informed the Board that the University already has a problem with the Commission on Audit (COA) in Mindanao when it issued a Notice of Suspension for the grant of CNA incentive to qualified UP Mindanao employees based on two grounds: 1) that the inclusion of non-negotiable economic benefits in the CNA is not allowed under the law; and 2) the CNAs covering the payment of the said incentive were invalid. COA asserts that under the implementing rules set by the Public Sector Labor-Management Council (PSLMC), the prescribed period of validity for CNAs is only three (3) years, whereas UP’s CNAs have a 5-year validity. He said that, according to the lawyers, the law does not provide that CNA can only be for a period of three (3) years, and the implementing rules of PSLMC cannot be stricter than the law. There is already a pending motion filed by UP with the PSLMC allowing the 5-year validity of UP’s CNAs. In fact, the validity of the recently ratified CNA between UP and the All UP Workers Union is still 5 years. On the matter of fringe benefits, President Concepcion said that the inclusion of fringe benefits in the CNA lacks legal basis, and the University cannot allow that anymore. He assured that the existing economic benefits may still be granted to UP employees even outside the CNA provided it is approved by the BOR in accordance with the provisions of the UP Charter.
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Volume LII, No. 7
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3.3 Regarding the additional benefits, President Concepcion said that he is willing to call a meeting with the AUPAEU to discuss additional economic benefits outside the CNA negotiation. However, he shared that the University received an audit observation memorandum (AOM) from COA stating that the grant of the three P5000 emergency assistance to regular and contractual employees amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has no legal basis. In response, the University has invoked the authority granted to the Board of Regents by the UP Charter (RA 9500) as provided for under Section 13 (m) of the UP Charter stating that “all incomes generated by the national university or by its subsidiaries shall, upon their collection, be retained by the national university and disbursed at the discretion of the Board for the professional growth and development, health, welfare, and other benefits of the students, faculty members and other personnel.” COA argued that neither the power of the Board of Regents granted by the UP Charter, nor its fiscal autonomy is absolute because, if the Department of Budget and Management decides not to release any funding to UP then UP cannot go to court and compel the DBM to release the money. The benefits provided to UP employees should be in consonance with the national government policy and at par with the benefits provided by other government agencies.
3.4 President Concepcion informed the Board that the ongoing rally of the Unions outside the Quezon Hall is for the grant of the Help Support Grant in the amount of P20,000. However, the Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs has warned in an opinion that if the BOR grants the P20,000 additional benefit, and UP loses its pending motion with COA regarding the three P5000 emergency assistance, then the President and the BOR will be considered in bad faith and will face legal liability. 3.5 President Concepcion added that even if COA rules in favor of UP, which will
provide legal basis for the grant of additional economic benefits, the next problem would be the source of funding. The Unions are saying the UP has savings and income, but these might be insufficient if the budget being allotted to UP by DBM is way lower than what was requested by the University. The income from UP Town Center and Techno-Hub are earmarked for the projects and programs of the University and its operations, including the conversion of job order workers to UP contractuals.
3.6 Regarding faculty appointments, VP Bautista shared that during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the System administration granted a systemwide moratorium for those who are “up or out” or have already reached their maximum residency. The moratorium was later extended to cover the end of the 2nd Semester of AY 2020-2021 or until June 2021. Upon advice of the President’s Advisory Committee (PAC), the end of the extension period was changed to December 2021, for humanitarian reasons. She informed Regent Dupo that they will conduct a special meeting discussing the academic roadmap, which will include the suspension of academic rules.
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3.7 On the topic of funding for teaching assistants/teaching fellows and lecturers, Vice President Bautista informed the Board that they are requesting the CUs and their departments to submit the list of their teaching assistants/ teaching fellows and lecturers so that they may gauge the CU’s ability to finance their compensation through their budgetary slacks and lumpsum funds. President Concepcion said that they assured the CUs that they will support them, should they not have funds for the budgetary requirements of their additional faculty complement.
3.8 Regarding the COVID-19 assistance, President Concepcion shared that there is no decision to grant such, since there is no DBM memorandum which would serve as its basis, which Vice President Yunque affirmed. However, Vice President Yunque said that there are University policies which cover the COVID-19 assistance.
3.9 President Concepcion informed the Board that UP Diliman and UP Los Baños have isolation facilities for faculty or employees living on campus who tested positive. There is also a testing center that is funded by UP Diliman, which operates outside the Molave Dormitory, with the Philippine Genome Center processing the specimens. Employees who have mild cases are housed at Silungang Molave, while those with severe symptoms are assisted by the University Health Service and referred to hospitals, such as the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and Lung Center of the Philippines. Currently, there are no benefits granted to those who tested positive for COVID-19 but President Concepcion said that he expects the Bayanihan 3 law, which has yet to be released, to provide the legal basis for some benefits for those affected.
He added that he is coordinating with congressmen to inquire if it is possible to include assistance to COVID-19 patients since not all their medical expenses are covered by PhilHealth. On top of these, Vice President Yunque stated that UP employees can also avail of the Enhanced Hospitalization Programme (eHOPE) which provides a subsidy in the amount of Php80,000.00 per year for the employees’ hospitalization and Php10,000.00 for their medicine.
3.10 Regent Aguiluz asked if the suspension of tenure rules includes the publication requirement. VP Bautista replied that the schedule for the required notice of acceptance for the publication is not until December 2021; instead, it depends on the “up or out” moratorium. President Concepcion clarified that those able to comply with the requirements during the moratorium period are the ones considered for tenure.
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26 August 2021 Decisions of the Board of Regents UP Gazette
Volume LII, No. 7
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3.11 Regent Aguiluz raised the issue of UP Manila faculty members serving as doctors or nurses who experience difficulties with the publication requirement due to the limited number of articles being published by journals, and the University requiring that articles/papers be published in international publications. She expressed her hope that the University look into such requirements, as well as into the equitable distribution per issue of the journals, especially in UP Manila, so that there is proper representation of units across the CUs. President Concepcion agreed and remarked that it may be time for another journal to be organized in UP Manila. Regent Dupo also expressed her agreement and said that it is time to provide support to faculty members who have the necessary data but are unable to produce research due to time constraints.
Board Action: NOTED
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Hon. J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA III Chair, Commission on Higher Education
Hon. DANILO L. CONCEPCIÓN, Co-Chair President, University of the Philippines
Hon. JOEL VILLANUEVA
Chair, Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture
Hon. MARK O. GO
Chair, House Committee on Higher and Technical Education
Hon. REYNALDO C. LASERNA President, UP Alumni Association
Hon. RAUL C. PAGDANGANAN Member
Hon. FRANCIS C. LAUREL Member
Hon. MARIA ARLISSA D. AGUILUZ Member
Hon. AIMEE LYNN BARRION-DUPO Faculty Regent
Hon. RENEE LOUISE CO Student Regent
Hon. MYLAH R. PEDRANO Staff Regent
The University of the Philippines
Gazette
is Published by the
Office of the Secretary of the University University of the Philippines
Quezon Hall, UP Diliman Campus, Quezon City
UP SYSTEM
Prof. DANILO L. CONCEPCIÓN President
Prof. MA. CYNTHIA ROSE B. BAUTISTA Vice President for Academic Affairs
Prof. LISA GRACE S. BERSALES Vice President for Planning and Finance
Prof. NESTOR G. YUNQUE Vice President for Administration
Prof. ELVIRA A. ZAMORA Vice President for Development
Prof. ELENA E. PERNIA Vice President for Public Affairs
Prof. HECTOR DANNY D. UY Vice President for Legal Affairs
Atty. ROBERTO M.J. LARA Secretary of the University and of the BOR
CONSTITUENT UNIVERSITIES Prof. FIDEL NEMENZO
Chancellor, UP Diliman
Prof. JOSE V. CAMACHO, JR.
Chancellor, UP Los Baños
Prof. CARMENCITA D. PADILLA Chancellor, UP Manila
Prof. CLEMENT C. CAMPOSANO Chancellor, UP Visayas
Prof. MELINDA dP. BANDALARIA Chancellor, UP Open University
Prof. LARRY N. DIGAL Chancellor, UP Mindanao
Prof. CORAZON L. ABANSI Chancellor, UP Baguio Prof. LIZA D. CORRO Chancellor, UP Cebu
