Brent Soriano, News, Communication Management Office
Hybrid town halls were held on June 19, 2026, bringing together university officials, faculty, administrative personnel, and students of Sintang Paaralan to discuss the proposed National Polytechnic University (NPU) Bill. Key points of the roundtable discussion centered on governance, fiscal autonomy, and institutional identity.
Faculty and administrative staff raised appreciation for the proposed inclusion of an administrative seat in the Board of Regents, while also inquiring about key provisions of the bill. Atty. Joanna Marie Liao, Chief Legal Counsel, University Legal Counsel Office (ULCO) emphasized that while international frameworks on polytechnic education are useful, “it is imperative to have a definition based on local contexts.” She also clarified that legal terms such as “privatize” and “outsource” cannot easily be changed as they are part of legislative language. However, they are exploring other terms that may be more germane given possible confusion on the proposed charter.
Discussions also addressed the legal basis of the proposal, noting that the NPU Bill seeks to amend the Higher Education Modernization Act (HEMA) Law, enabling greater flexibility in managing university finances and resources.
Faculty members stressed a broader definition of polytechnic education, arguing that it should not be limited to technical fields alone. One statement emphasized: “Polytechnic does not merely produce machine operators; it integrates the arts and humanities with technical skills,” underscoring the institution’s interdisciplinary and civic mission.
Student representatives presented mixed reactions. John Paul Asuzano, President of Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral (SKM) - Sta. Mesa Campus and others opposed the bill, while some expressed conditional support. Concerns were also raised regarding potential effects of institutional autonomy on student rights and campus policy enforcement, one example included gender inclusion and safe spaces.
University officials reiterated that gender inclusion policies would remain unchanged, citing existing gender-sensitive frameworks already implemented within the institution. Further, other policies helpful to establishing safer and more inclusive spaces will be championed by the university. University officials also appealed to students to formally file complaints via report@pup.edu.ph or through concerned offices to ensure proper documentation and resolution of these grievances.
The discussion reflects the UN SDGs, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). It highlights ongoing efforts to ensure that higher education reforms remain inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the needs of the academic community. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of balancing institutional modernization with academic freedom, equitable access, and participatory governance.
Moving forward, stakeholders are expected to continue engaging in consultations to refine the bill’s provisions and ensure that any institutional reforms balance modernization with academic freedom, inclusivity, and the long-term welfare of the university community.
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