The student council’s negotiation with Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Roehl Jamon may have saved Balay Kabigan from closure, but worries regarding the wellbeing of emotional support animals (ESA) and the center’s funding concerns remain unresolved.
Balay Kaibigan is UP Diliman’s center for animal-related activities, where at least 872 dogs and cats were neutered and at least 150 of them were adopted since 2019. Last month, Jamon ordered the shutdown of Balay Kaibigan, prompting the University Student Council’s (USC) Environmental Concerns Committee to appeal its closure.
To ensure that the center remains open, the committee agreed for Balay Kaibigan to be relocated to the Diliman Environmental Management Office by Friday. This move, however, was initially opposed in their dialogue request as the place is a materials recovery facility, making the animals susceptible to ticks and fleas, which could cause life-threatening diseases.
“Mahalaga ang mental health as well as physical health [ng mga ESA], and sila ang nag-pro-provide ng environment na kaaya-aya sa mental health ng mga students lalo na pag stressed, depressed or overwhelmed sila sa mga nangyayari,” USC Councilor Siege Navalta said.
Another part of the resolution regarding Balay Kaibigan was initiating a review of the center’s expenses. This was far from how the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs (OVCCA) reportedly acted during their negotiation with Navalta.
Navalta said the office consistently denied allegations that Balay Kaibigan was not properly financially supported. Prior to Jamon’s order to close Balay Kaibigan, the center experienced instances of electricity and water being cut, food scarcity, and caretakers being unpaid.
“Sinasabi na napopondohan raw nang maayos, hanggang nung pinakita ko yung mga receipts na hindi nababayaran ang utilities, at merely relying on donations ang Balay Kaibigan. I-re-review daw niya (Jamon) ulit as may pinipirmahan siyang mga papel para pambayad pero wala namang nakakarating sa Balay Kaibigan,” Navalta said.
Moreover, USC reported that a caretaker did not receive his salary from January to May, and on the days when he will earn something—his pay was always at least a month late. Animals inside Balay Kaibigan were also not provided food, vaccinations, and necessary medicines since January. The OVCCA denied the nonpayment of Balay Kaibigan’s employees.
Other resolutions from the negotiation with Jamon include the transformation of Balay Kaibigan into a student-friendly place, the construction of an access road, and the transfer of housing and care of ESAs to the residence halls.
Despite all of these, Navalta ensured that these agreements would not be the last and that they remain firm in ensuring that animals inside the campus would receive only the best treatment.
“May resolution naman around pero still, we have to be vigilant. This also serves as a challenge towards the office to be responsible, transparent, and thorough sa kanilang expenses,” he added. ●
