A group of progressive faculty and academic employees at the University of the Philippines (UP) urged UP to "assert a higher budget" to guarantee the safe resumption of full face-to-face classes.

The group called Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND), on Friday, Sept. 30, also asked the university administration to provide "clear, concrete, and decisive policies" to speed up the return of students and employees on its campuses.

CONTEND also asked for details on how the UP administration will ensure the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff, and how will the operation of transportation routes, food facilities, and other essential services be restored.

The group also encouraged the UP administration to stand together with the rest of the UP community in resisting "budget cuts and in calling for a higher budget not just for UP but for the rest of the education sector."

Meanwhile, CONTEND commended UP for deciding to bring back 100 percent in-person classes.

This move, the group said, was a little late but still a victory for students, and other UP community members who have been promoting "ligtas na balik-eskwela't opisina."

On Sept.29, UP announced the return of 100 percent face-to-face classes for all undergraduate courses effective this upcoming second semester of the academic year 2022-2023.

UP noted on the said announcement that further information about the return of classes and learning delivery mode for graduate programs is being finalized.