Legislative Assembly discuss CCTV cameras manifesto, elevator policy

The Legislative Assembly (LA), in its session held on June 13, discussed the manifestos regarding the installation closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras around Manila and the creation of an elevator policy on the Student Handbook.

The LA conducted a discussion about the amendments made to the social media manual in use by the University Student Government (USG). This was focused on the effective communication between the USG and students using its social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Included in the discussion were the liking and sharing of social media posts by officials, the use of official headers, the administration of such accounts, the use of the official USG website, the use of text blasting especially for emergency posts, and the promotion of such social media accounts.

Afterwards, the discussion was on the manifesto on the installation of CCTV cameras as proposed by Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada. While all legislators expressed approval regarding the installation of such cameras, many apprehensions were raised on the floor. These included the practicality of the project’s implementation, its effectiveness in deterring crime, and its proneness to corruption.

Several legislators emphasized the need for budget transparency, accountability of persons responsible for the project, emphasis on project guidelines to be followed, and publishing of specific locations where the CCTV cameras are to be installed. The resolution calling for the manifesto’s approval and release was deferred to the next session.

Finally, the LA discussed the creation of an elevator policy to be included in the student handbook revision. Legislators presented the results of an online survey regarding the act of line cutting and round tripping. Among over 1,200 students, 92 percent encountered round tripping while eight percent did not. A large percent of the student body—70 percent—found the act to be unacceptable.

With this, 49 percent believed round tripping should be a minor offense while the remaining 51 percent did not. Of the survey, 57 percent also believed line cutting should be considered an offense.

Some legislators argued that students should be able to report round tripping students to an officer of the Student Discipline and Formation Office. There was a concern that a minor offense might be excessive, but BLAZE2015 representative Kiara Lin responded that students should be smart enough to know better. She assured that there would be a campaign period when the elevator policy, together with other revisions in the student handbook, will be promoted to the students. Also, it was established that there are currently plans to install signs near the elevators to remind students of the said policy.

The discussion on the elevator policy was lengthened by a disagreement over the definition of round tripping for the student handbook. Eventually, the definition used agreed upon was: “Round tripping is the act of staying in the elevator for the purpose of going to a direction opposite the initial direction of the elevator.”

The resolution on handbook revision discussions for the inclusion of Lost and Found guidelines and policies was stricken off of the agenda list for the session. The next LA session will be on Friday, June 20, at the STC campus.
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In the June 6 LA session, possible inclusion of make-up and alternative classes policies in the upcoming student handbook revisions was discussed. Students and professors must reach an understanding when the make-up classes should take place and whether a graded requirement could be given during alternative and make-up classes.

The proponent of this LA resolution on make-up and alternative classes was the Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Committee.

The election for Commission on Elections (COMELEC) commissioners for each college were also conducted in both the June 6 and June 13 sessions.

With reports from Lorenzo del Carmen