THE UST Faculty Union (USTFU) has given back P10 million in excess funds to its members, covering union dues collected since 2010. USTFU President Dr. George Lim said the savings were distributed because the union had “enough funds.”
“The P10 million is only what we saved during our term of office,” he said in an interview with the Varsitarian.
The distribution of the fund began last Oct. 10, with union members claiming their checks from their respective faculty club presidents after accomplishing a membership identification form.
The distribution of checks to retired professors began last Oct. 15 at the USTFU office.
The payout was based on teaching loads of union members. The maximum amount was set at P18,000, based on a full 24-unit teaching load.
Tenured professors, lecturers hired before 2001, retirees, and administrative officials with teaching loads from 2010 to 2015 were eligible to a share in the savings.
Christmas donation
Meanwhile, Barangay Poblacion in Batan, Aklan was chosen to receive USTFU’s P1-million donation to victims of typhoon “Yolanda.”
The donation, which came from the union’s Christmas party budget last year, “took some time” to be released because USTFU implemented a selection process.
“One of our requirements is a clear and concrete plan on how they will use the money. We want the money to be used for the people in the community,” Lim said.
The beneficiary was chosen from a list of communities nominated by professors, which was screened by a committee formed by USTFU.
“We are just waiting for the email of [the plan of Barangay Poblacion]. One of our officers will go there with a trust agreement, and the first check will be addressed to the parish.”
The donation will be made through the Immaculate Conception Parish, whose parish priest is Msgr. Pedro C. Frac.
“The beneficiary is the community not the parish priest. The parish priest is only our vehicle,” Lim said. “The money has always been there. We were just waiting for them. We don’t want the P1 million to go to waste. We want the money to benefit the real people.” Arianne F. Merez
