Tojos, for example, has been an extension specialist at the College of Social Work and Community Development for more than 20 years. Despite her long years of service, her doctorate, and meritorious performance, she has not been promoted from salary grade (SG) 20 since 1996 supposedly due to lack of vacant position according to HRDO.

However, Cornel said that when the REPS and faculty reach their maximum salary grades, the university gives monetary incentives to supplement the fixed salary, as any adjustment in salary is subject to DBM approval.

No job security

Currently, 74 out of 460 REPS in UPD are contractual researches or hired per project.

Cornel said that while other REPS become permanent after their appointment, URAs are uncertain about their job security. “Marami sila (there are many) [URAs], pero kakaunti ang (but few with) plantilla [permanent positions],” she said.

To augment this shortage, the university hires contractual researchers and gets its budget for salary from the lump sum budget for personal services.

Even as the university allows REPS to become professors, Tojos said they lose their tenure after being appointed as faculty and revert to being temporary employees despite having been considered as “permanent public employees.”

Paredes, however, said that just as the professors of other universities who choose to teach in UP, REPS necessarily should start as temporary workers again. “Kung wala silang [REPS] teaching [experience], disadvantaged kaagad sila sa evaluation” (If they have no teaching experience, they are easily disadvantaged in evaluations), she said.

Invisible workers

Tojos, Taguiwalo and Paredes, however, believed that the issues of REPS are not addressed because of the lack of representation in the BOR and in any administration-created governing bodies.

Although the shelved UP Charter proposed the creation of a Staff Regent who would represent both the REPS and administration staff in the BOR, Tojos said such representation defeats the call of the REPS to be recognized as academic personnel. Instead the REPS are pushing for an Academic Regent under which they and the faculty are classified.

“First of all, the REPS should be recognized as one academic sector. Second, the REPS should be given leeway and opportunity for us to really do our function. Third, the REPS should have governance in the affairs of the university,” Tojos said. Philippine Collegian / Posted by (Bulatlat.com)

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