Despite mounting calls to review health permit policy, UST admin vows to comply with Manila ordinances

*Photo by Grehmalyne Carandang/ THE FLAME*

DESPITE APPEALS by labor leaders to review or revoke the Manila health permit ordinance they have described as “costly” and “discriminatory,” UST reiterated its commitment to fulfill the requirements of laws and policies, including ordinances from the city government.

In its first-ever statement on the controversy, UST said it ensures the implementation of “relevant measures” to achieve “timely compliance” alongside ongoing dialogues with stakeholders.

“True to her tradition of excellence and integrity, the University of Santo Tomas is committed to meet the requirements of the laws and policies of regulatory agencies, including ordinances from the Manila City Government,” the statement posted on Facebook on Wednesday, Aug. 7, read.

The statement was issued four months after employees were instructed to comply with the policy by the UST Office of the Vice Rector for Finance through a memorandum.

Last April, all University academic and non-academic personnel were directed to follow Ordinance 8793 or the Sanitation and Disinfection Code of the City of Manila. Under the ordinance, workers must pay P625 to secure a sanitary permit, which must be renewed every year. Meanwhile, licensed professionals are given the alternative to pay for a professional tax receipt instead.

Employees must submit a valid ID, stool and urine samples and a filled-out drug test form and biometrics to the Manila Health Department on or before July 31.

All non-compliant UST personnel will be blocked from accessing the MyUSTe Portal, the University’s official online service, according to a document stamped by UST and two Manila offices.

Prior to the issuance of UST’s statement, labor groups in the University have repeatedly asked for a dialogue with the administration, the latest being the Ugnayang Nagkakaisang Manggagawa – University Santo Tomas Hospital (UNM-USTH), which urged the administration to “show leadership and solidarity” to its workers whose rights are supposedly being “violated” by the ordinance.

READ: Revoke ‘exploitative’ health permit ordinance, UST Hospital union urges Manila city government

Organisasyon ng Nagkakaisang Empleyado-UST, a coalition of three labor groups of the University, including UNM-USTH, has also called on the administration and Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna to reconsider the implementation of the ordinance, citing the “financially burdensome” medical procedures and “below average” facilities of the designated public health laboratory.

Some UST labor leaders have also claimed that the University did not consult them before deciding to impose the MyUSTe lockout, calling the prohibition “unfair” and “senseless” since it could impede their work in the future. They have also warned that the policy could disrupt the smooth operations of the University.

READ: Unfair,’ ‘senseless:’ UST labor leaders slam MyUSTe portal lockout for employees without health permit

As of July 29, more than half or 1,701 of the 3,261 UST personnel have not followed the ordinance, according to data obtained by The Flame. Of this number, 1,409 are faculty members, 226 are members of the support staff and 66 are administrative officials and personnel.

Last week, the Council of Teachers and Staff of Colleges and Universities of the Philippines, a coalition of teaching groups from higher education institutions, also expressed support for UST employees’ call for a review of the policy, saying its implementation is “counterproductive” and has “discrepancies.”

The Office of the Mayor has yet to issue a statement on the issue. F