Org leaders say org recog to get harder

“It’s as if being watched by the state.”

This was how University of the Philippines Political Society (UP PolSci) president Reinna Bermudez described the new rule of notarizing organization files in the 2009 Draft of the Student Code.

Bermudez, who leads one of the smallest organizations in the college, said the organization recognition (org recog) process will be harder and the ‘dynamism’ of the student organizations will be lessened with the rules.

Miguel Losantas, president of UP Psychological Understanding for Growth and Distinction Society (UP Pugad Sayk) said rules like the notarization requirement were unnecessary.

“We would have a harder time because there would be an extra party involved in the process, say a lawyer,” said Losantas, who leads the largest organization in the college.

Beverly Lumbera, president and artistic director of UP Sirkulo ng mga Kabataang Artista (UP Sikat), added that the UP administration did not give a clear definition of the “minimum academic requirement" in the 2009 draft.

“This would all become a gamble for student orgs,” Bermudez said.

Bermudez said the new rules would reduce the number of organizations, and with the OSA and Office of Vice Chancellor screening the activities, organization activities would be less diverse.

On the other hand, all of them agreed that the current rules are much easier.

Losantas said, “I think we are having a hard time because we are many. But other than that, it’s not that hard.”

“Because of the extra rules, our activities might be limited. Our activities might be lessened. And it’s not good,” said Losantas.

Lumbera said this would be a challenge for them to sustain the interest of aspiring members, particularly the freshmen.

“It is not that okay but somehow, it will help for the growth of the organization,” she added. ▪

Article by: Jane Fabula