UP students, staff in Sept. 21 activities excused from classes, work

Students, faculty, and staff of University of the Philippines campuses may be excused from classes and work should they choose to participate in activities marking the signing of the proclamation of Martial Law in 1972.

In a memorandum released on Thursday, UP president Danilo Concepcion encouraged "all administrators, faculty, students, and staff throughout the System to participate in meaningful and peaceful activities for this purpose on that day in their respective campuses."

UP had proclaimed September 21 as UP Day of Remembrance to "celebrate and perpetuate the memory of those who contributed to the resistance against martial law and to the struggle for civil liberties and human rights."

Concepcion said there would be no suspension of work and classes, but those who would join the commemorative activities wobe excused.

"While there will be no suspension of work and classes, members of the UP community may be excused from their work or their classes for the duration of the activity (with the exception of personnel engaged in frontline and emergency duties)," the memorandum read.

Former President Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation no.1081, which placed the Philippines under Martial Law, on September 21, 1972.

Martial Law was put into full effect on September 23, 1972, after the nationwide address of Marcos announcing the declaration. —NB, GMA News