Amid a looming P2.95-billion budget cut for the University of the Philippines (UP) under the 2027 proposed budget, the university will ask lawmakers to restore its P29.5-billion budget from last year to prioritize the completion of buildings under construction and strengthen its research capacity, according to its top official on Friday.
“There is a budget hearing next week. We are seeking more amendments to be able to catch up with at least the level of last year,” UP President Angelo A. Jimenez told reporters during the Korea-ASEAN Community of Policy Exchange (KACPE) in Pasay City.
Mr. Jimenez said UP will prioritize the completion of ongoing construction projects across its campuses, including libraries.
The university will also prioritize strengthening its research capacity as it shifts its identity toward becoming a research, graduate education, and innovation-focused university.
“So, now we are actually talking about focusing on the discovery of new knowledge and innovation of this knowledge so that it can actually solve problems for the Filipino people,” Mr. Jimenez said.
UP will seek to increase the P26.53-billion allocation proposed under the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), prepared by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), during the upcoming budget briefing for state universities and colleges before the Senate Committee on Finance on Sept. 25.
Students from various campuses of UP and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) staged a concerted walkout on Friday to condemn widespread corruption in the government and budget cuts to state universities and colleges, according to posts from their respective offices of student regents on Facebook.
PUP student regents said the university is also facing a P291.83-million budget cut, which they said could further worsen the university’s already difficult condition.
The walkout was held at UP campuses in Quezon City, the Visayas, and Mindanao, as well as PUP campuses in Manila, Quezon City, Taguig, Sta. Rosa, and Sto. Tomas.
The mobilization at UP Visayas and UP Manila is expected to continue until Sept. 21 to commemorate the 54th anniversary of the declaration of martial law. — Edg Adrian A. Eva