VOLATILE FUEL PRICES and rising costs felt throughout the country are placing greater strain on employees of San Beda University (SBU), as workers seek support amid an economic climate that continues to outpace their wages.
As inflation continues to rise and tensions in the Middle East region brought about by the US-Israel attacks on Iran, the Philippines is left in limbo as the country’s oil supply is gravely affected by the ongoing global conflict, with its implications trickling down to the University’s employees.
It becomes their daily plight as prices of essential goods and services continue to rise nationwide, with increasing cost of living placing added pressure on salaries that have remained largely fixed amid changing economic conditions.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) allowed a full-shift to online classes to cushion the impact of the fuel price hike by reducing commute and overall energy consumption.
However, SBU has yet to fully implement a full-shift to online as academic and administrative operations continue, albeit in modified forms, but still face criticisms from employees.
According to San Beda College Union (SBCU) President, Mr. Bernard Tayag, rank-and-file employees have been among the most affected, particularly those whose wages “leave little to no room for sudden increases in expenses.” “Kami naman, mga rank-and-file na empleyado, talagang malaking dagok sa amin,” he said.
He added that unlike some sectors that received targeted government aid during the past fuel hikes, many ordinary workers were left to absorb the impact on their own.
Mr. Tayag noted that certain schools reportedly extended cash assistance to employees, offered emergency loans, or compressed work weeks to lower transportation expenses, which he says contrasts with SBU’s measures, or lack thereof.
“Ang mga empleyado ay wala naman… [nakuhang] ayuda sa management”, he said.
Mr. Nazareno Napone, a janitorial employee who has worked at the University for 34 years, noted that the rising cost of living has made supporting his family increasingly difficult.
“Hindi naman po kalakihan ng sweldo namin…sobrang taas po ngayon ng bilihin. Lalo na po gasolina at saka meron po akong tatlong anak binubuhay kasi solo parent po ako,” he stated.
As a solo parent with three children, Mr. Napone said monthly expenses for food, electricity, transportation, and allowances have become harder to sustain: “Kaya pag sumusweldo kami, nangungutang pa uli kami para pambayad lang.”
His experience reflects the situation of many long-serving employees who say salaries that once covered household needs now fall short much earlier than before.
For Ms. Jenny Guinsod, a librarian for the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Library, the rise in oil prices triggered a chain reaction across nearly all household needs.
Ms. Guinsod further expounded that what once sufficed for groceries now only covers basic staples as non-essential purchases, snacks, and small comforts have gradually disappeared.
“Kung dati [nakabibili] tayo ng mga extra food… ‘yung mga biscuits, ‘yung mga ganun’ diba? ‘Yung mga snacks nakakabili tayo noon.. ngayon… ang kasya na lang doon sa budget natin is yung pinaka-needs,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Lourdes Bataller, SBU Bookstore Assistant, explained that the rise in prices has changed how her household planned meals.
“Kailangan namin mag-adjust, so instead na nag-uulam kami ng… tatlong beses ng karne sa isang linggo, siguro isang beses nalang…the rest gulay na lang”.
For another librarian who wished to remain anonymous, while their circumstances have not yet reached a critical point, the strain remains tangible as the increase in the cost of daily necessities continue to steadily erode what was once enough to cover routine household expenses.
“Siguro dahil nagtatabi rin kami ng para sa mga resources na ganun, so hindi pa masyado. Sa ngayon ha, hindi pa masyadong ganun yung kahirap ng pag-ano,” they said, but they further added, “magugulat ka na lang na hindi mo pa nabili lahat ng pangangailangan mo, pero ayan, ganito na pala magulat ka… ganito na kamahal.”
In response to the plight of San Beda employees, the Union initiated an internal support system for its members through a credit program which aims to cater to the employees’ current financial constraints. However, the program has also faced challenges due to the organization’s limited resources, and is now nearing its ceiling.
“Ang natitira na lang talaga ay ‘yung maintaining balance. Parang ang kaagapay natin sa pangangailangan ng bawat miyembro, talagang nasagad eh… Kasi limited lang po ‘yun. Isang daang libo lang ‘yung pinapaikot natin,” Mr. Tayag said.
He also shared how the San Beda University Employees’ Credit Cooperative (SBUECC) within the Union was also utilized ahead of schedule in consideration of the members’ financial hurdle. “[P]ati ‘yung kooperatiba na dapat na hindi muna mag-uumpisa kasi inaayos pa namin ‘yung data, inumpisa na rin namin.“
Mr. Tayag further expanded as he discussed the measures that SBCU has undertaken in quest of the needed support, mentioning that the positions and needs of members and employees in general have already been brought to the attention of the University administration, albeit with a notable delay in response.
“Ang nangyayari kasi… parang mabagal ang aksyon. ‘Yung ibang eskwelahan, Marso pa lang nagpatupad na sila ng energy adjustment nga dahil nga sa taas ng konsumo ng gasolina, ang ginawa nila, nag-cut na talaga sila ng klase,” he remarked, referencing plausible resolutions for the affected employees.
“Kung ikaw ay na-accept mo na ang krisis na nangyayari, a-action ka ng mabilis para sa iyong mga empleyado.”
Meanwhile, a general memorandum was issued by the University on April 18, notifying the distribution of the tuition fee increase for Senior High School (SHS) Manila, freshmen students for four colleges, and graduate schools for A.Y. 2025 to 2026, amidst the call for the needed support.
Mr. Tayag then clarified that these distributions of the tuition fee increase do not form part of the support being appealed in the context of the current economic landscape.
“‘Yun naman ay hindi kasama doon sa hinihinging ayuda sa mga empleyado. dahil ‘yun ay increase na nagmula pa nung 2025. Ngayon lang nila naibigay…” he pointed.
The employees affected shared the same sentiment as they all called for needed support with contemplation to its feasibility.
“Wala naman kaming puwedeng mahingi na basta-basta dahil siyempre, kini-consider din namin… ‘yung kapakanan… ng admin. [S]iguro… alam din nila, ramdam din naman siguro nila, kung ano yung nararamdaman ng mga empleyado,” Ms. Bataller said.
This was echoed by the anonymous librarian, who added, “[S]ana naman madinig yung mga hinaing ng empleyado, lalong-lalo na dun sa nangyayaring crisis ngayon.“
Employees also raised a point to the University on the significance of the support in sustaining their families.
“[S]ana po matugunan niyo po yung pangangailangan namin. Sana po, matulungan niyo po kami para makaraos-raos din po kami para sa aming pamilya,” Mr. Napone remarked.
Mr. Tayag added as he addressed the employees how the Union is present for every employee of SBU.
“Kami naman ay, tutulong naman kami sa abot ng aming makakaya, sa mga problema na tinatahak ng bawat empleyado sa San Beda, union ka man, hindi ka man union, empleyado ka ng San Beda, may karapatan, may tungkuling tumulong sa abot ng ating makakaya. [M]aging matatag lang tayo sa pagharap ng problema,” he said.
As of press time, with the 124th National Labor Day being observed and the semester nearing its end, the Union continues to appeal for the adjustment of the current six-day arrangement to a five-day work week.
“Sana i-grant nila dahil tayo kasi ang mga [Non-Teaching Personnel] ay pumapasok ng anim na araw sa isang linggo. ‘Yung Sabado ay apat na oras. Kung [susumahin] mo, ‘yung apat na oras na ‘yun ay ganun din kung papasok ka ng full day,” Mr. Tayag furthered.
(with Andrea Dominique Romero)