RECTOR Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. ended the debate on whether the University should comply with Manila’s health certificate requirement, saying in the maiden speech of his second term that UST would support it.
While discussing the fifth point of his six-part “Vision 2028” agenda, Ang touched on City Ordinance 8793, which requires workers to pay for health certificates every year.
“We have to work harmoniously with our government. We cannot fight the Manila LGU (local government unit), but we will have to support [the] Manila health certification requirement,” he said on Sept. 9.
UST labor unions under the Organisasyon ng Nagkakaisang Empleyado ng UST (ONE-UST), are opposed to the ordinance, which they argued was unfairly enforced in UST.
Ang’s statement marked his first public comment on the issue.
Responding to Ang’s pronouncement, UST Faculty Union President Emerito Gonzales said that while he acknowledged the Rector’s stance on the issue, concerns over the ordinance’s implementation remained.
“We, the three union presidents, respect the view of the Father Rector on the health permit issue; we understand where he is coming from,” Gonzales told the Varsitarian. “We may say na may mga reasons behind the health permit na nalaman na namin by this time.”
“Sila (UST administration), iba rin naman ang priority nila about it, which is substantial compliance, while we in ONE-UST advance what is more beneficial today and in the years to come for the ordinary workers, the small ones.”
City Ordinance 8793, enacted in 2021, was first enforced in UST in April when the Office of the Vice Rector for Finance instructed all employees to submit their health certificates by May 31. The deadline was extended twice.
On Aug. 2, UST addressed the controversy for the first time, releasing a Facebook post in which it pledged to comply with Manila government directives.
“True to our tradition of excellence and integrity, (UST) is committed to meet the requirements of the laws and policies of regulatory agencies, including ordinances from the Manila City Government.” Amanda Luella A. Rivera with reports from Marco Luis D. Beech and Carlo Jose H. Ruga
