The University of the Philippines Board of Regents, in its 1407th meeting, March 25 at the Asian Institute of Tourism, UP Diliman, selected incumbent UPD Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan II to serve a second term until April 2, 2029. The UP BOR is the highest governing body of the university.
Vistan and fellow candidate for the UP Diliman chancellorship, UP Resilience Institute Executive Director Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, were interviewed separately by the BOR. The consensus decision, made in closed-door deliberations, was announced by Secretary of the University and of the Board of Regents Roberto MJ Lara, who accompanied Vistan to meet with the UPD student representatives and campus press waiting for the decision outside AIT building’s main entrance.
Vistan thanked the whole UP community for the trust and support he received. He said he will immediately meet with multisectoral groups to come up with measures for UPD to best respond to the impact of the ongoing energy crisis. Responding to students’ questions, Vistan said he will continue to listen to them and consult with the various sectors so that they can work together in addressing current issues.
Representatives from various UP Diliman-based multisectoral organizations conduct a mobilization at the AIT driveway, March 25. The UP Board of Regents was in the building to hold its 1407th meeting. The three sectoral regents of the university, Faculty Regent Early Sol Gadong, Student Regent Ron Dexter Clemente, and Staff Regent Rey Espanto, along with leaders of organizations headed by UPD University Student Council Chairperson Joaquin Buenaflor, delivered speeches on issues and demands coming from their respective sectors. Photos by Misael Bacani, UPS-MCO.
“Please trust that I will work for all your best interests,” Vistan assured the students, whom he said were the most important stakeholders of UP. “Let us take care of each other so we can get through this crisis,” he asked them. “Let’s start working on what we have to do.”
Weeks prior, Vistan and Lagmay presented their platforms and plans for UPD in forums and interviews with the UPD-based campus press.
Multisectoral protest action
Representatives from various UPD-based multisectoral organizations assembled to conduct a program outside the AIT building’s main lobby to raise issues and demands coming from their respective sectors. Faculty Regent Early Sol Gadong, Student Regent Ron Dexter Clemente, and Staff Regent Rey Espanto conveyed messages at the protest action before proceeding inside to attend the BOR meeting.
Among the issues raised by the speakers were: the UP Faculty Merit Promotion system, updates on the Performance Based Bonus for 2023, lack of promotion for administrative staff and plantilla items, unfinished infrastructure and lack of spaces and equipment for students and faculty, delayed salaries and funds for research projects, and projects that are seen to negatively impact members of the community.
UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan II (rightmost) addresses the UPD student representatives. Photo by Misael Bacani, UPS-MCO.
They likewise called for the Board and candidates for chancellorship to continue dialogues with the various sectors of the UP community, heed their concerns and recommendations, and stand in solidarity with the people in issues of national scope, such as seeking accountability for corruption and addressing socio-economic issues.
The UP budget proposal for fiscal year 2027, UP internal operating budget for fiscal year 2026, and academic matters were among the agenda approved for discussion by the BOR at the start of its meeting.
