Articles
House Resolution No. 909
Introduced by Anakpawis Representatives Crispin B. Beltran, Rafael y Mariano; Bayan Muna Representatives Teddy A. Casino, Satur C. Ocampo, Joel G. Virador; Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Liza Largoza-Masa
RESOLUTION
DIRECTING THE HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISTLATION, INTO MEMORANDUM NO. IJL-025-05 ISSUED BY U.P. DILIMAN VICE CHANCELLOR FOR COMMUNITY AFFAIRS IDA MAY J. LA’O UNREASONABLY RELOCATING MEMBERS OF THE SAMAHAN NG MGA MANININDA SA U.P. CAMPUS (SMUP, INC.) AND RECOMMEND MEASURES TO PROTECT THE WELFARE OF THE MANININDA’S OPERATING AT U.P. CAMPUS IN DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY
WHEREAS, Ida May J. La’O, Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs of the University of the Philippines-Diliman issued Memorandum No. IJL-025-05 addressed to 16 members of the Samahan ng Manininda sa U.P. Campus (SMUPC, Inc.) operating along the U.P. academic oval directing their eviction and relocation and imposing them an in-extendible, non-negotiable deadline ending the last day of September 2005. According to La’O, the said memorandum is being promulgated for the general welfare of the U.P. faculty, staff and studentry;
WHEREAS, Vice Chancellor La’O has not mentioned in any communication, nor discussed with the manininda the exact relocation plan. Neither did the Vice Chancellor consider the permit issued by the Business Concessions Office (BCO) to the maninindas allowing them to operate from January 1 to December 31 of the current year. These permits were supposedly renewable yearly should the maninindas abide with the guidelines issued by the BCO. The BCO is under the supervision of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs.
WHEREAS, the 16 maninindas have the support of 10,672 students who strongly oppose the administration’s plan to have the vendors evicted and relocated. The students under the leadership of the University Student Council (USC) have signed a manifesto stating the same. However, even as La’O claims to be after the general welfare of the students, she remains indifferent to the sentiments of the students who declare their support for the maninindas;
WHEREAS, the USC has also issued an open letter addressed to Ida May J. La’O on the matter, but La’O still so far not responded;
WHEREAS, there exists a question regarding La’O’s capacity to impose and implement such kind of directives. La’O is allegedly a contractual employee according to some members of the academe, which led the latter to question her appointment as the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs;
WHERAS, the eviction of the 16 maninindas is designed to give way to bigger concessionaires or concessionaires who can meet the P 1 million owner’s/stockholder’s equity minimum requirement set by the Business Concessions Office in the application for eligibility to bid requirements for food service establishments;
WHEREAS, the 16 maninindas are unable to meet the P 1 million equity minimum requirement; and it is almost impossible for them to make competitive bids for stalls in the kiosks;
WHERAS, the eviction of the 16 maninindas in favor of the bigger concessionaires will adversely affect the students because prices of products and commodities sold will be higher than the usual prices, given that there is also a planned increase of rental fees commensurate to the expenses incurred in the construction of the said kiosks;
WHERAS, the memorandum ordering the eviction and “relocation” of the 16 maninindas is made in favor of the bigger concessionaires in newly-constructed kiosks is a clear manifestation of the U.P. community.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the House of Representatives Special Committee on Poverty Alleviation conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into Memorandum No. IJL-025-05 issued by U.P. Diliman Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Ida May J. La’O unreasonably relocating members of the Samahan ng mga Manininda sa U.P. Campus (SMUP, Inc.), and recommend measures to protects the welfare of the maninindas operating at U.P. campus in Diliman, Quezon City.
Adopted,
REP. CRISPIN B. BELTRAN
Anakpawis Partylist
REP. RAFAEL V. MARIANO
Anakpawis Partylist
REP. TEDDY A. CASINO
Bayan Muna Partylist
REP. LIZA LARGOZA MAZA
Gabriela Women’s Party
REP. SATUR C. OCAMPO
Bayan Muna Partylist
REP. JOEL G. VIRADOR
Bayan Muna Partylist