Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) students have filed an official manifesto that calls for a nationwide academic strike, removal of military officials in posts meant for public health officials, and reallocation of the anti-communist task force's P19 billion fund, among others, as they expressed concern about the "poor government's response" to the pandemic and "multiple calamities."
In a document accessible online and posted by the university's official student publication, The Guidon, the manifesto has been made in light of the alleged "criminal neglect of the state" in its "COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) response," "impact on education," typhoon preparation and response, and "economic impact."
"First, to strike means to stand in solidarity with our fellow students who cannot continue their academics because of the multiple, successive calamities that ravaged the country, which the national government failed to address efficiently, thus maximizing the damage they have wrought," part of the 18-page manifesto read as explanation about the strike.
"Second, to strike (or, in this case, to support the strike) means to encourage more students to join. The bigger we are in number, the harder we will be to ignore, the more pressure we exert—on the right institutions, this time.”
"Third, to strike is to implore those in positions of authority, both inside and outside the Ateneo, to look at the education system and its many flaws. The current educational system is neither radical nor ideal, but by striking, we force those in authority to consider the fact that these are extraordinary times...and we should not have to adapt to remote learning because it does not suit us, because we are ill-prepared for it,” it added.
As the students believe that the only way "the Ateneo can make itself relevant" is by committing "itself to serving the Filipino masses," they laid down various demands which they said the national government should meet.
In education, they want an implementation of a nationwide academic break and the ending of "no-work, no-pay" policy on a nationwide scale, among others.
Regarding the pandemic, the students want an implementation of effective medical response, based on the recommendations and counsel of epidemiologists and other medical experts; the cessation of military-centric solutions to medical problems, including the removal of military officials in posts meant for public health officials; and the rechanneling of government funds, including the P4.5 billion confidential and intelligence funds, toward the health sector.
Meanwhile, the student's typhoon demands include: the provision and insurance of food and non-food needs as well as financial support for the poor, especially those who live in urban informal settlements; the reallocation of the P19 billion anti-communist task force's fund to disaster risk response and relief operations; the declaration of a climate emergency coming from the national government.
The students, whose petition to hold an academic strike have already received more than 500 signatories, said that strikers will continue taking part in various collective actions, "with consideration to their capabilities and their material condition," until the demands are met.
An academic strike, they said, will start on November 25, while mobilizations will be held by November 30.
The recent manifesto, the students, is a “development” of their previous two documents. They added, it contains “thorough reports not only of our shared experience, but also its impact on education nationwide, its impact to the Ateneo, the rationale for the academic strike to ensue, and our demands from the national government.”
"It more clearly directs the demands towards the national government, and calls for solidarity among all members of the Loyola Schools, including the faculty, the staff, and the administration," it said.