This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. V, No. 3, February 20-26, 2005
Student power produced
results in Baguio last week then Nursing and midwifery students succeeded in
reducing “affiliation fees” by several thousands of pesos.
BY ABI TAGUBA BENGWAYAN
BAGUIO CITY - In a time of tuition increases
nationwide, nursing and midwifery students of the Baguio Central University (BCU)
had a 71 percent reduction in fees due to their concerted efforts. Students will pay only P6,732 ($123.08,
based on an exchange rate of P54.695 per US dollar) and P200.50 ($3.66) for
tuition and registration fees, respectively, instead of the affiliation fee
originally pegged at P24,232.50 ($443.05). Refunds will now be sought for students who
have already paid the original amount. The affiliation fee covers 24 days of
affiliation duty in hospitals. The amount was stipulated in a “business
contract” BCU College of Nursing and Midwifery Dean Jeanette Bongalos had forged
with the Golden Bay Hotel in Manila through a certain Liza Vasquez. In a dialogue with Commission on Higher
Education (CHED)-Cordillera Director Magdalena Jasmin, students were informed
that the affiliation fee should only cover tuition and registration, unlike the
original fee which included transportation, lodging, and meals. Bongalos,
including other college deans, were present at the dialogue. Jasmin was also surprised why the students
were made to complete their affiliation duty in Manila when they can have it in
Baguio. She added that other courses can be completed in Baguio. Requirement to stay at hotel Last February 7, some students were not
allowed to have their affiliation duty because they did not stay at the Golden
Bay Hotel. In a statement, the Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral
ng Narsing at Midwifery (SMNM, or Association of Students of Nursing and
Midwifery) and the Democratic Action Party for the Youth (DAP-AY) said that
there is no legal basis for the school administration to require them to stay at
the said hotel. The groups pointed out that they have the right to explore other
options to avoid such expenses while having their affiliation duty. This was also reiterated by City Councilor
Jose Molintas who supported the students through a resolution “calling for the
adoption of a uniform policy or guidelines regarding the school campus to
protect the public and to avoid unnecessary expenses on the part of the parents
and students.” Since last week, nursing and midwifery students through the SMNM
and the DAP-AY have brought their concerns to the City Council. Students from other universities like UP
Baguio, Easter College, Inc. and University of the Cordilleras also supported
the BCU students. Harassment Protesting students were
reportedly harassed by the BCU administration. BCU President Margarita Fernandez
even wrote the CHED last February 5 asking that SMNM Governor Chester Tuazon be
sanctioned for leading rallies in school while a scholar of the Study Now Pay
Later Plan (SNPLP) under CHED. Jasmin however replied to Fernandez last
February 17 that the latter’s claim that Tuazon participated in any “subversive
activity” was not substantiated. “Starting peaceful assemblies, rallies and
demonstrations at school premises for lawful purposes is not a subversive
activity under the Grounds for Termination of the Scholarship/Study Grants of
the Rules and Regulations Implementing the Various Programs”, Jasmin’s letter
read. With impending tuition hikes in other
colleges and universities, SMNM and DAP-AY leaders called on their fellow
students to unite and “stand solidly” against excessive and unjust fees.
Nordis/Bulatlat © 2004 Bulatlat
■
Alipato Publications Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.
Baguio Students
Win Fight vs P24,000 Fee
Northen Dispatch
Reposted by Bulatlat
“Pati scholarship ko, gustong tanggalin (Even my scholarship was targeted
to be removed),” remarked Tuazon, who is in his third year as a Nursing student.
Other students were threatened of being kicked out, he said.