Youth Voice Matters.

To Whom It May Concern:

 

This is a letter from your constituents, your people and the beneficiaries of the issue at hand. Before any argument has to be made, let’s set the general truth, from the people and for the people. The moment we speak of this, we lay the foundation of the country, and that is what we call as “tax.” We know how these taxes should be for the consumption of the general masses and on how it is delivered. Now, what does it has to do with the issue? Basically, UniFAST comes from taxes.

 

Now, we are not here to point out how we are dismayed on how the issue is handled, but we are here to point out how we, the students are at harm with what is happening. Truth be told, we do not have anything to do with the accusations and allegations made by two parties. We are not here to declare allegiance to CSU or CHED, or even to say that CSU is right and CHED is wrong, we are here to say why we need the service and why we must have the service.

 

Moreover, we are not here to debate the constitution and the memorandums duly certified or even declare that the Board of Regents are correct in their actions and vice versa, but we are here to let our voices be heard, let our minds speak and let us be the prime mover, in the first place, we, the so called “Iskolar ng Bayan” should have a say.

 

IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT YOU HEAR US OUT.

 

Such issue does not only involve CSU, as to its officers and CHED, but it also involves us, the students. Why is that so? UniFAST will never be created without the beneficiaries, which is what I am talking about early on. We should be heard how the situation could lead to greater damage, to us, as students of the university. Fact – checking again, SUCs should not collect any payment from their students, that means, we, the students, do not pay any single cent. And in its greatest common sense, how can the university finance and pay necessary services without it.

 

We know where should we stand, we know that it is not our part to take issues regarding legitimacy as stated with the laws and bylaws stated in every piece of legislation or orders from authorized people. We are here to voice out how it is painstaking for us to see that even we, cannot be given the proper service stated therein by the UniFAST, since the university is denied of the access to such.

 

Without such grant, which is freely given as stated by the laws, maintenance and even fees for the people in charge of imparting the knowledge for us will not be appropriately given. We know for a fact that for some, this can also seem to be a factor with the delivery of knowledge. This talks of why the professors endure long time of standing with no payment at all, so instead of giving the efforts, small portions could do. This is not for all, this is just an example on how the UniFAST issue can be a factor that of which reflects on how, we the students can grasp the quality learning we are dreaming about.

 

In addition to that, UniFAST funds most of the projects for the University which is all about the improvement of the quality of education. Like of which, the recently planned new CAHS building, without appropriate fund for that, we, the students that should be reaping that new building with the equipment and other medical tools is denied of such service. We are left with no choice but to be patient enough with the things that we have for now, which are outdated and can lead to errors which could impact the way we handle the lives of the people.

 

We know that online class is not an issue here, but, can you blame us if for a fact the issue still matters here? Example, if the teacher needs to meet us, considering that their salaries are covering some portions of the ways they can meet us, say, they finance their internet with their salaries, bills and all others, would it not be an added burden for them to fit the budget they only have so that they can provide the service that is expected from them?

 

Think this way, if UniFAST finances most and even the salaries of the teaching personnel, to what extent they can sacrifice for the students? To what extent they can say, it is fine, so as the students can learn. Everything has its end, and we fear that the said end is near. We cannot say, when will that be, but, the action we are expecting from you can counter that. Action speaks louder than words, please prove it to us. Prove it to the people, because it is also FOR THE PEOPLE.

 

These are but just a few of the things that the can be made through the current issue the university is facing. We are the real victims of the issue, not you, nor even the university. We are at risk, at harm and most importantly, the people that could reap consequence of any action that is being done.

 

WE CANNOT ENDURE LONG. WE NEED IT. IT IS TIME THAT THIS MUST BE ACTED IMMEDIATELY.

 

You may spit out facts when it comes to laws or memorandums in effect, but one thing is for sure, it deeply marked a scar that will not be forgotten in the history. It left a remark that no one can ever change, that, a government funding, not given to an appropriate beneficiary because the people in charge cannot make things for the beneficiaries. They cannot make way for the service they have taken oath to.

 

We respect your opinions, we respect your arguments, but in doing so, please, respect us, respect the urgency that it must be given. We respect that you acted with the TES, but it is just a few, majority of the subsidy still falls with the UniFAST.

 

WE, THE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN LONG SUFFERING. WHY THERE IS A NEED FOR US TO STILL APPEAL WHEN IN FACT THIS IS A RIGHT GRANTED FOR US BECAUSE IT IS ALSO FROM THE PEOPLE?

 

Moreover, you are trying to point out about how weak is you when it comes to the CHED En Banc, but the truth is, you are the person tasked to perform roles as CHED Chairman. This is just of common sense, we don’t invalidate the function you have, but, you are the face of CHED. You serve to be as the chairman right? And that speaks that, you are to point, you are to be given that responsibility. It is not a matter of you being singled out, but you being pointed out as the CHED Chairman and as a part of that collegial body. Accept it, you are the face and so, every success and failures slap you.

 

It is a common notion that we must accept whatever the courts shall speak, but the matter is, until when? The matter is, can we wait it so that we can really be granted that learning that we are pursuing ever since? It does not speak of the roles of any person or anyone committed a crime in here, this talks of how you, being able to find a common ground. Can we just say to a personnel, needing of medical attention to wait until when the court decide? So that we can grant you the salary that is duly for you? Should we say to an aide that cannot fund their basic needs anymore to wait? Those are the questions we need a direct answer because it can impact us. Why is that so? Because for every denied service comes as a consequence that, we, as the end user of the service can encounter.

 

Without UniFAST, the professor may not be able to finance paying fees so that he/she could go to school like fares and attend to the classes expected from him/her. So, instead of imparting knowledge, it will just be again another day that could threaten OUR FUTURE. Remember that, OUR FUTURE. Simple examples that deeply conveys the meaning and how it can impact us.

 

LET THE COURT DECIDE UNTIL WHEN?

 

At the end of the day, we can agree to this, the issue at hand cannot be solved without compromise. When courts decide, if no one from both parties can agree on a thing, eventually it will come a long way, which would greatly impact the studentry of the university.

 

THE LACK OF BIPARTISANSHIP ON THE MATTER GREATLY SPEAKS HERE

 

Just a brief history over the United States Senate, bills coming their house cannot be approved or debated to without the so called 3/5 of the whole house. That means, they need a total of 60 percent of the whole legislators to approve a bill, that means they need 60 people out of 100 legislators to pass a bill and they are composed of two major political parties, Democrats and Republicans, over the past 10 years, no one from a single party can get to 60 senators, which speaks that they need a compromise, otherwise, they intend to kill the bill and never let that bill come to law. They need to lobby some people from the opposing party to debate on a bill and pass it with simple majority.

 

AND THAT WHAT LACKS IN THIS ISSUE.

 

THE LACK OF COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP CAN DEEPLY IMPERIL AND DIVIDE THE CURRENT STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY AND SO IS THE STUDENTS.

 

Until when should we be silent? Until when should we not be allowed to speak of what is happening? We’ve come a long way to let our voices be heard, until when shall we be muted? We called for ease, you demanded to go, we respected it, we demanded to freeze, you called to go, we respected it because WE KNOW YOU ARE THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE, SO PLEASE, DO NOT LET US BEG TO WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS.

 

In our view, we are not right or wrong, but we are in the standpoint, we speak not to be approved, we speak not in favor of the university or the commission. We are speaking in favor of us, the students.

AS I BEGUN, FROM THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE. IT IS OURS! GIVE TO US WHAT IS DUE.

 

FROM AND FOR THE PEOPLE

 

Let that SINK IN.

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