UP Cebu overcomes difficulties, celebrates 2nd year of autonomy

THE University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu celebrated the second anniversary of its autonomy last Monday.

School officials, members of the faculty and students were challenged to work for the common good.

“It’s time to move on,” said Atty. Ian Anthony Sapayan, UP Alumni Association Cebu chapter president. “Autonomous and able to determine its own fate, UP Cebu has arrived,” he said.

He said the efforts of Enrique Avila, former UP Cebu dean, for the school to achieve autonomy should not be overlooked.

In March 2011, nine faculty members and staff filed an administrative complaint against Avila.

In August 2011, UP president Alfredo Pascual ordered Avila’s dismissal, along with Prof. Ernesto Pineda, and Alsidry Sharif, UP Cebu’s acting budget officer.

Survivor

“Having said that, I now urge all of you to cast aside your differences and collectively work for the common good of UP Cebu. We are but one community. Let us put an end to the bickering. Let us show that we can overcome,” Sapayan said.

Pascual failed to attend, but community leaders from Barangay Lahug, Cebu City and Cebu Province were there.

Sapayan said the people who are connected with UP Cebu should always remember their past and try to learn some lessons from it.

He said the friction between stakeholders in recent events is but a small piece of UP Cebu’s almost 100 years of existence.

“Those of you who have been here long enough know that UP Cebu has been through darker times,” Sapayan said.

He said that in the peak of martial law, another dean was removed. Political pressure in response to a student editorial even led to the closure of UP Cebu, he said.

“But throughout its trying history, UP Cebu’s stakeholders have always shown that they can overcome their differences and work for the common good,” he said.