UP Budget Slashed by Half, Raising Concerns Over Infrastructure and Research

The proposed budget for the University of the Philippines (UP) for the upcoming year has been significantly cut by half, from an initial request of P53.5 billion to P26.5 billion. UP President Angelo Jimenez expressed concerns that this substantial reduction could jeopardize the completion of long-delayed infrastructure projects and the capacity-building of its research programs. Jimenez told reporters on Friday that the budget cut could undermine the university's core operations and stated his intention to strongly advocate for amendments to the budget proposal in Congress. Specifically, the lack of sufficient funds is expected to impact the renovation of aging facilities, the construction of new research centers, and personnel development programs aimed at fostering world-class research. As the nation's premier public university, UP plays a crucial role in nurturing talent and conducting academic research essential for the country's development. This budget reduction could potentially affect the quality of higher education and, consequently, the overall competitiveness of the Philippines, making the future deliberations a subject of keen interest.