Operation: Balik Eskwela An Inter-agency Round Table Discussion ISO Complex Conference Room 4 Ateneo de Manila University Monday,

June 3, 2013 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon I. Attendance Heart Dio from Student Council Alliance of the Philippines/NAPC-YSS Gibby Gorres from NAPC-YSS JC Tejano of the Bukluran UP System Jason del Rosario from MOVE UP - UPLB Hannah Barrantes from the San Beda Student Council Gabriel Kintanar and Aila Mallari from the UST Central Student Council Cedric Martinez from the PUP College of Comm. Student Council Dylan Salcedo from UP Alyansa - UPD Raymart Macasaet from UP Manila University Student Council Sarah Sanchez from NYPD San Beda College Joben Odulio from Alliance of Student Leaders Representatives from Agencies Engineer Rolando Liveta from CHEd Attorney Robinson Vias from CHR PSSUPT Nestor Bergona, Chief of Special Operations Division from PNP PSUPT Felipe Cazon Jr from PNP Comm. Kit Cruz from NYC II. III. Introduction and Welcoming Remarks by Ms. Heart Dio Introduction of Agencies and Student Groups by Mr. Gibby Gorres Mr. Gorres also laid out the context and program of the dialogue as follows: Crime and Security- FRV, pickpocketing, murder, rape kidnapping Student Services- scholarships and loans, counseling Students Rights- discrimination against LGBT, PWD and women Legislative and Policy Agenda- STRAW, SUC budget Dialogue A question raised by Mr. Gab Kintanar (UST) directed to Atty. Vias of the Commission of Human Rights. He queried if there are existing

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policies in the CHR that can help stop discrimination and alleviate the situation of people with disabilities that students are just not aware of. Mr. Tejano (UP) also directed his question to CHR. He asked if the student handbooks are indeed reviewed by CHR. Also, he said that there is a situation in UP Law where the 5000php reservation fee isnt deductible from the tuition, and asked if there are certain laws that could be explored with regards to the issues raised above. CHR Rep Atty. Vias said that there were certain concerns that only CHED rep could answer, like the handbook regulation. On the other hand, regarding the situation wherein the St. Theresas College Cebu student who wasnt allowed to march on her graduation, they can conduct an investigation. He (CHR) said that he would make a recommendation letter to their officers to investigate. Answering Mr. Kintanars question, he answered that there are anti-discriminatory laws that promotes the rights of PWD. The Republic Act 9262 is another law that covers that certain issue. The CHED Rep Eng. Liveta also said that there is a law protecting the rights of PWDs. He also said that they are working with the National Council on Disability Affairs to come up with a policy on the admission of PWDs in colleges and universities. He also raised that the administration should try to resolve the issue within the school. If it is an immediate problem, people could directly go to CHED. An issue was also raised by Ms. Hannah Barrantes (San Beda). She said that the information dissemination of certain CHED policies does not reach the students. She asked if CHED has a system of making its policies known by the students. Also asked if it was possible for CHED to include the university student councils to include them to the list of addressees of the policies. The CHED Rep Eng. Liveta said that over time, they try to connect to the students through their website, mails the specific school, and through their regional offices. When asked about the student budget, NYC said that even if the Students Rights and Welfare Bill is not yet a law, they still have existing policies that assure the right of the students. He also said that the school administration should also have policies that promote student rights. If some policies prove to be detrimental, they have mechanisms from various government agencies. On the topic of information dissemination and the security of the students, the PNP said that they have time and again used the broadcast media to make their latest policies and security tips known. They also have police assistance desks, and nationwide deployment of

policemen who were first briefed on the security guidelines. They also said that they also disseminate flyers, have open hotlines and even radio and TV shows. When asked about their efforts in information dissemination of their policies, the CHR representative said that they also have their own Brgy. Human Rights Action Center in coordination with the local government units. They also have a website which is http://chr.gov.ph With the absence of some laws that promote the right of students the CHR said that they can provide legal assistance. The NYC said that they can intervene even if their real mandate is policy making. The PNP said there is always the Integrated Bar of the Philippines who can give legal assistance. On the query on the ability of CHED to repeal anti-women rules on student handbooks, the representative said that they can work on it if there are recommendations. He reiterated that all rules on the student handbooks should not be contrary to law. As to the questions raised by several SCAP members on the acts of vandalism in PUP, safety of dormitories in UST, safety and security of students of San Beda during Mendiola rallies, the police answered that, respectively, they need the help of students, LGUs and PNP conduct regular dormitory inspection, and that police are always on the lookout during demonstrations.

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Here are the action points raised by after the dialogue 1. To institutionalize this inter-agency round table discussion every semester for the students to have an avenue to air out concerns; and together with concerned agencies, we will be able to address policy gaps and develop programs that will improve our Education Sector. 2. To strengthen the partnership of SCAP with these government agencies. 3. To improve existing mechanisms and protocols in filing cases and complaints regarding violations on students' rights and welfare. 4. For CHED to make student councils and student governments direct recipients of CHED Memoranda and policy announcements for better information dissemination. 5. To develop a more detailed program to capacitate the students in terms of interventions in legislative and policy proceedings

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The meeting was adjourned at 12 noon.