Security guards in UP Diliman are shouldering costs passed along by their security agency for expenses they were not meant to pay for, the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Guardia (SNG) ng UP Diliman revealed.

The union reported, for instance, that guards had to shoulder the four-digit cost of mandatory drug tests and neuropsychological exams that they take annually. Testing expenses are expected to be covered by the security agency as part of its terms of reference with the university, SNG President Domingo Padua told the Collegian.

Cluster 1 guards working in the inner core of Diliman under Grand Meritus Security Agency saw deductions to their pay as high as P2,500 for the tests, according to Padua. Meanwhile, guards working in other parts of the campus under Advanced Remote Managed Security Services reportedly paid P1,100 for urine drug testing alone.

In contrast, outside drug tests at government-owned facilities cost as little as P250.

“Pero ang question natin doon sa kanila ay bakit napakamahal?” Padua said.

The tests are performed by an external company and not by the University Health Service, which allegedly violates the terms of reference. The local infirmary, however, does not currently offer either testing service.

The Collegian reached out to the Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) for a copy of the terms of reference between Grand Meritus and the university, but the office denied the request due to data privacy and security concerns.

Guards under Grand Meritus also saw salary deductions for certain paraphernalia, which include medicine kits and parts of their uniform. But which specific items they are being charged for is unclear, as the calculation for the deductions was not shown to them.

Employers are not allowed to deduct uniform and equipment costs from an employee’s salary without their express consent under the Labor Code.

“Tinatanong ng mga gwardya: Napakalaki ng mga kaltas sa kanila, eh bakit hindi nila ilagay sa payslip, kung para saan ba yun?” Padua said. “Hindi matapos-tapos yung kaltas. Hindi nila masabi kung magkano talaga yung halagang yun.”

UP Diliman guards have long dealt with labor disputes in the past due to layoffs and salary delays under previous security agencies. While payroll has improved under the current management, problems persist, as provisions in the terms of reference—such as those concerning transportation and the body cams which UP paid for—remain unhonored.

Relievers, who fill in for regular guards in their absence, also do not receive contributions to their government benefits, such as Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, and Social Security System, after Grand Meritus informed them that it will not be paying its portion despite their status as employees.

The union has already met with the vice chancellor for community affairs and the PSSO, who plan to call in the agency to resolve the disputes and address the violations of their agreement with the university. It continues to call for transparency regarding the deductions and for the costs to be reimbursed to the guards, starting with the drug tests.

“Huwag naman natin abusuhin yung mga gwardya na kulang-kulang na nga yung mga sinasahod,” Padua said. “Dapat hindi dumating sa punto na pinagkakakitaan pa sila ng tungkol doon sa mga hindi naman nararapat na kaltas.” ●

First published in the April 24, 2025, print edition of the Collegian.