PLM students welcome policy allowing them to choose which uniform to wear

The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila's (PLM) decision to allow its students to choose which uniform to wear aims to make the campus a safer and more inclusive space for them.

According to a report by Dano Tingcungco on 24 Oras on Monday, the Intramuros-based school still requires its students to be in uniform Mondays to Thursdays—but made its uniform policy "gender-free," allowing them to decide whether to wear the polo and trousers, or the blouse and skirt. 

On Fridays students can be out of uniform. They may also obtain permission not to wear the uniform at all if they have religious, cultural or medical reasons not to.

The new policy took effect last November. Before bringing back face-to-face classes, the school had conducted a survey among its students about the dress code. The students voted overwhelmingly to keep the uniforms, while about four out of 10 had urged a "gender-free" uniform policy. 

"It was significant enough. Why ignore that?" PLM president Emmanuel Leyco said. "Payagan natin na mamili sila."

As a result, he said, "Hindi na sila distracted na, 'Kailangan ma-accept ako, kailangan tanggapin ako'...it made them even more motivated to excel in their studies."

Students welcomed the policy.

"Gusto ko magpalda pero natatakot ako, paano kung hindi ako papasukin," student Justine Caminos, a transgender woman, recalls thinking.

Now, she added, "Mas naging confident ako sa pag-aaral ko, mas naging komportable ako kasi eto na ang uniform na gusto kong suotin. At the same time, mas confident na ako i-express ang sarili ko, wala na yung pag-o-overthink."

Karen Curallo, a straight cisgender student, also welcomed being given the option. "Mas prone pag commuting, makikitaan ka, ang daming nagka-catcall kapag naka skirt," she said. "And also for me mas comfortable po ako na naka pants."

Students may also go for the hair color of their choice—and they're not limited to the dark or "Asian colors" either.

"Mahirap kasi makipag-communicate sa ibang tao pag hindi ka confident sa sarilimo," said bright-haired student Eula Corder. "So kapag nae-express ko po sa kanila na ganito akong klaseng tao, mahilig ako sa mga bright colors, mahilig ako makipag-usap sa mga tao...kaysa po dati na ang boring lang ng color."

PLM also has gender-neutral restrooms, in addition to gendered restrooms that are not limited to the sex assigned to a person at birth. — BM, GMA Integrated News