OUTGOING UST Faculty Union (USTFU) members have entered into talks with the University administration for the vaccination of faculty members against Covid-19, the union’s outgoing president Dr. George Lim said.
“As one of the last few actions of your current board, I am pleased to inform you that we have already initiated talks with the University regarding the procurement, distribution and actual vaccination of our academic staff against the Covid-19 infection,” Lim said in a message to the union membership on Feb. 26.
“Further discussions with our University officials will be made by our incoming board,” he added.
Newly elected USTFU President Asst. Prof. Emerito Gonzales said faculty members were united over the need for vaccination.
“[Faculty vaccination] is a priority plan of the incoming USTFU officers and directors, as well as of the outgoing officers,” Gonzales told the Varsitarian.
“As of now, hindi pa nakakaupo ang new USTFU board of officers and directors, but we shall take the vaccination issue in the first meeting of the new board after we are sworn in,” he added.
Gonzales said “lots of consultations” needed to be made with the UST administration and the Manila city government.
Among the platforms presented by Gonzales’ Sulong USTFU party during the union elections was the free vaccination of all faculty members, which would be charged to the hospitalization benefits of the faculty.
He also hinted at the University’s plan to vaccinate its employees and students.
“It is also the plan of the UST administration for all the employees, faculty members and students of UST, in cooperation with the city government of Manila,” he said.
In a meeting with UST officials last February, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said that teachers would be among those prioritized for vaccination in the city’s Covid-19 vaccination drive.
“Teachers will be included in the first batch for the vaccine. Whether you’re a Manilan or a non-Manilan, as long as you’re working here in Manila, you will be included in the list for vaccines,” he said.
The national government’s vaccine priority list prioritizes frontline health workers, teachers, social workers and other government workers, essential workers outside health, education, social welfare (working in agriculture, food, tourism sectors), socio-demographic groups, overseas Filipino workers and uniformed personnel and their families.
