An estimated 1,200 University of the Philippines (UP)-Baguio students, teachers and employees participated in a walk-out for higher education funding, budget transparency, and the administration’s accountability February 26. This was the largest demonstration in recent years at UP Baguio.

Led by the Alliance of Concerned Students (ACS), the groups marched from the College of Social Sciences (CSS) to the front of the Iskolar ng Bayan (IB) Lobby at UP Baguio. They primarily denounced the misuse of university funds that was exposed in December 2024 in the Commission on Audit (COA) 2023 Annual Audit Report.

The COA report contained the observation that the UP Baguio administration did not spend the ₱100.41 million fund allocated for the campus. The COA orders the return of said funds to the national treasury because the university did not benefit from and used it.

The report also revealed “irregular, unnecessary, and excessive” expenditures that were not disbursed per the law. This includes illegal allocation of very large amounts for honoraria and allowances. There are also other anomalies and misuse of UP Baguio funds.

“More than two months after [the report’s] release…[the administration] remains silent,” the ACS stated. They urged the leadership to face their constituents and address their urgent needs.

According to the group, this is a democratic right that has been repeatedly ignored by the administration in recent months. UP Baguio administrators did not attend the past Town Hall Discussion (THD) to supposedly discuss and explain the issue.

“Three sectors walked out to show that we will not just allow the (squandering) of our budget. Will we just allow (this) without explanation from the administration? We will not let this slide,” Anakbayan-UP Baguio’s Brenn Cabanayan said in an interview with UP Baguio Outcrop.

Along with the protest, the UP Baguio University Student Council (USC) chairperson, UP Baguio Outcrop editor-in-chief and UP Baguio Council of Leaders chairperson submitted a 5-Point Budget Agenda to the UP administration. It contains the call for the administration to seriously address the COA issue and report, and proposed steps for democratic and open use of university funds.

The ACS thanked their fellow UP Baguio students, teachers and employees for their vigorous participation in the walk-out. “Our collective freedom from the four corners of the classrooms is proof that we have the strength and unity in forging a democratic university,” the group said.