CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Student leaders of the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) brought concerns over campus security, student publication issues and proposed changes to the university’s charter to Senator Bam Aquino during a dialogue at the university’s main campus.
The University Student Council (USC) executives met with Aquino, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, to discuss issues affecting students and their concerns over House Bills 9414 and 9861.
The two measures, both filed in the 20th Congress, seek to declare UEP as the National University for Sustainability Studies and revise the university’s charter. The bills were filed in 2026 and remain pending before the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education.
During the dialogue, USC representatives raised concerns over disruptions during the university’s “Balik Kampus” event, a reported campus security breach and what the student council described as alleged attempts by the university administration to censor The Pillar, UEP’s official student publication.
The USC also presented its position against House Bills 9414 and 9861, outlining concerns it said could affect students and the academic community.
The student leaders submitted to Aquino a package containing a formal letter detailing the issues discussed, copies of the two House bills, Student Council Assembly Resolution No. 001 and an executive summary of their concerns.
The dialogue comes as Aquino continues to focus on education issues in the Senate. As chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, he has led hearings and legislative initiatives addressing concerns such as classroom shortages, education funding and access to basic education.
Following the meeting, the USC issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to student welfare and rights and said it would continue raising the concerns of UEP students.
The council also urged students to remain engaged in discussions concerning the university and national education policies.
The student council’s engagement with Aquino provides a venue for UEP student representatives to bring campus-level concerns before a national policymaker while the proposed measures affecting the university remain under consideration in Congress.
House Bills 9414 and 9861 are proposals and have not become law. Current legislative records list both measures as pending before the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education.
(EUGENE M. ENANO)
