Pardiñas, Clarence C.

POLSC 11 THV
2013-02355 Mr. Ranjit Rye

The National Day of Walkout, being practiced annually, focuses on condemning the
major issues concerning the state and its citizens. Aside from the students, various communities
like the Lumad and the teachers are present to voice out their imminent concerns to the
government. Issues concerning the UP System and its students are also raised during the
walkout. This year, UP students are protesting against the possibility of reviewing the current
agreement between UP and the Department of National Defense, which prohibits police and
military to enter the school premises without prior coordination with the school authorities. If the
review proceeds, then the campus would be in danger of militarization. Police and military could
easily meddle and intervene with the affairs of state universities, no questions asked. Academic
freedom could also be in shambles.

In our current political climate, the negative notion on the act of activism is being
strengthened by the likes of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Philippine National Police
(PNP) Chief General Oscar Albayalde. Earlier this month, Senator dela Rosa is proposing a law
that should allow state forces to enter schools in order for them to orient the students regarding
the government and its advocacies. Ultimately, he wants to put an end to the allegedly massive
radicalization and recruitment being conducted by the left-leaning groups commonly found in
state universities.

Activism nowadays is becoming more and more crucial due to the current actions by the
government. The continuous bad connotation on activism being set out by the media and the
government heavily affects the strength and credibility of our voices. Even within the UP
community this year, the spirit of activism is still alive but the amount of students engaging
themselves with the protests are clearly diminishing. Students either think that it is not the ​cool
thing to do or that they have other better things to spend their time on. I understand that there are
other ways of channeling civic engagement but we should continue to help people understand
that activism is a healthy form of civic engagement. Doing a walkout is essential for the side of
the masses because it is our way to establish our stand and convey our feedback to the lapses and
wrongdoings of the government. An act of protest helps the masses become empowered and
eventually, it could bring back the power in the citizens. The mindset that should be propagated
is that the people are truly the ones in charge and have the political efficacy to drive great
changes. We do not need to overthrow the government; we just need to go back to our roots and
assert our social dominance.