International Student Movement

Strikes on the Philippines

~ thousands take to the streets against fees and cuts ~

A huge alliance including groups such as the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) and the League of Filipino Students (LFS) called for strikes at the University of the Philippines (UP), which has campuses across the country. The protest is directed against announced cuts in public spending for education as well as the increasing privatisation of education and all its negative side effects in general. The call to strike can also be accessed here.
Also students and workers at the Polytechnic University (PUP) joined, where strikes already began on Nov.22nd.
These protests are nothing new. Remember March 2010? This clip will help.

The strikes are part of the "Global Wave of Action for Education".

~ December 1st ~

Thousands across the country went on strike and protested on the streets again. Hundreds stormed the Senate of the Philippines in the capital Manila.

Video: gmanews.tv

Hundreds came together at the University of the Philippines in Diliman:

 

 

 

 

In Iloilo City about 1000 students, teachers, and school employees of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), West Visayas State University (WVSU), and the West Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST) walked out of their classes.

 

 

 

Thousands from various institutions also came together to protest in Manila:

 

~ November 30th ~

Hundreds of students and workers took to the streets in Davao City (Philippines) in protest against fees, cuts and the increasing privatisation of education. As part of the rally discussions in groups and a concert with political music were held.

 

 

 

 

pictures also on facebook

~ November 26th ~

For the second day in a row students and faculty staff across the Philippines went on strike and onto the streets. About 5000 people marched through the city centre of the capital Manila alone and stormed the Finance Department. Speeches were held there for hours.

Videos: gmanews.tv (II, III)

 

more pictures on facebook

In Baguio City the president of the Philippines was disruppted by protesters while inaugurating a famous fast food restaurant. Those were immediately attacked by police forces, which resulted in 15 students being injured.

sources: gmanews.tv (video) - abs-cbnnews.com (video)

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~ November 25th ~

STRIKE BULLETIN

State schools on strike

Round up of campus strikes as of 5:30 pm

Thousands of students, faculty, workers and administrators of state schools walked out of classrooms today and declared a strike against the government proposed budget cuts for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).  

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

5000 students, professors and employees from 14 colleges walked out today and barricaded the PUP main gate with broken chairs and facilities. They are currently holding a rock concert as a part of their strike’s activities. Led by PUP president Dante Guevarra, the students vowed to continue protests the next day.

 

more pictures on facebook - video: gmanews.tv

University of the Phililippines Manila

2000 students and professors walked out and paralyzed the College of Arts and Sciences building. The students and professors are still occupying the building and will hold a vigil until the next day. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano came to give support. (mainstream report: abs-cbnnews.com)

video: gmanews.tv (II: Quezon City)

University of the Philippines Diliman

4000 students, professors, administrators and deans walked out and barricaded the University Avenue near the Oblation statue to symbolically signal the start of their strike. Congressman Mong Palatino came to give support and deliver good news of Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)’s support of the strike. Dormers will also walk out of their dorms and hold a protest sleep-in at the Palma Hall. Protests will continue the next day at the Malcolm Hall during the University Council meeting where professors will deliberate their stand on the SUC budget cut.

 

 

more pictures on facebook - video: gmanews.tv

Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute for Science and Technology

1000 students walked out and shut down EARIST. The students are still barricading the gates of EARIST in protest of the SUC budget cut.

Quirino High School

800 high school students of Quirino High School walked out in protest of the 210,000 peso budget cut to their Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures (MOOE) budget, and in support of the University strikes saying that they oppose the SUC budget cut and want to go to college.

Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)

In a press conference held today at the Rizal Technological University, officials of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) and Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino announced that SUCs throughout the country will be staging campus strikes “to urge the government to increase the operating budget and allocate adequate funds for the capital outlay of our cash-strapped state schools.”

Students are set to march to Mendiola tomorrow, November 26, to “flex muscles” in preparation for a bigger strike and rally on December 1, when the Senate is expected to hold plenary sessions on the 2011 budget.

more pictures on facebook

reports taken from the website of the League of Filipino Students