SEVERAL LABOR groups representing UST employees said their members are considering to file a court case against the controversial Manila health permit ordinance, which they called an “unjust” policy that could cripple the University’s academic operations.
In a press release, some union leaders in the University reiterated their opposition to Ordinance 8793 or the Sanitation and Disinfection Code of the City of Manila, which requires all academic and non-academic staff to obtain a health permit or professional tax receipt every year.
“The ordinance thrusts UST, one of the country’s most populated universities, in a possible crisis crippling its academic operations. Over 1,000 UST faculty members may not be allowed to teach this semester for failing or refusing to secure a health certificate, which many of them consider illegal or unjust,” it read.
“The ordinance will affect thousands of other workers in Manila, not only those in universities, once fully implemented under Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna.”
The press release was issued by labor leaders from Organisasyon ng Nagkakaisang Empleyado-UST (ONE-UST), a three-way coalition of the University, and Council of Teachers and Staff of Colleges and Universities in the Philippines, a union of employees from Philippine private higher institutions.
Under the ordinance, workers have to pay P625 to renew their health permit yearly, during which they must present their valid ID, stool and urine samples, a filled-out drug test form and biometrics. Licensed professionals may be exempted from obtaining a health certificate if they opt to secure a professional tax receipt.
According to a document stamped by UST and two Manila offices, all non-compliant personnel who fail to secure a health permit after July 31 would be barred from accessing the University’s official e-service, or MyUSTe portal, a sanction heavily criticized by some Thomasian labor leaders.
Workers who fail to comply will also face fines ranging from P3,000 to P5,000 and a possible revocation of their sanitary permit for the second offense.
In a previous Facebook post, ONE-UST said it is committed to “seek justice in court” as a response to the University’s first-ever statement on the issue, where it vowed to fulfill the requirements of laws and policies, including ordinances from the city government, and ensure the implementation of “relevant measures” to achieve “timely compliance” alongside ongoing dialogues with stakeholders.
ONE-UST said the University administration has expressed willingness to engage in a dialogue to address the concerns raised by its members. However, the labor union said it has yet to receive a notice from the Office of the Rector on the meeting with UST employees.
“Our concern remains that UST workers may be left to seek justice in court independently. We cannot allow our faculty members to become sacrificial lambs to an unfair and unjust ordinance,” the coalition said.
Data obtained by The Flame showed that 1,701 of the 3,261 UST employees have not obtained a health permit or PTR as of July 29. There are 1,409 faculty members out of this total.
Stressing the supposed selective implementation of the ordinance, ONE-UST also urged the city government to reassess or revoke the health permit policy since employees from other universities have not been directed to comply with it.
“Simultaneously, we are exploring ways to engage with the City Council of Manila, urging them to review and suspend the ordinance’s implementation for educational institutions in the meantime,” the employees’ group said.
According to ONE-UST, several University workers will join a prayer rally on Friday, Aug. 9, in front of the Lacson gate at UST to express opposition to the ordinance. F
