It is understandable that alumni of Silliman University feel proud about their school. As the oft-repeated line goes, “If there is no Silliman what will Dumaguete City be? And if there is no Dumaguete where will Silliman be?” Definitely, Silliman University belongs to the category of shapers of Dumaguete City, along with other universities and colleges that make up this University Town.
Silliman today is challenged by conflict due to the failure of the Administration and the SU Faculty Association (SUFA) to reach a Collective Bargaining Agreement. Conflict, disagreements, and disputes are natural and are inevitable in any group or organization.
In any conflict, there are people caught in between who are most affected. Our only consolation is our belief that faculty strike won’t last for long. This is now the challenge of Silliman to apply the very lessons they teach their students, such as conflict management, human resource management, and business administration, among others.
For decades, Silliman University had been garnering awards and recognition from various organizations for their contributions to society. I’m sure they can find solutions to this conflict. What is happening now is a blessing in disguise because conflict is usually a turning point for change. Borrowing the campaign slogan of President Rodrigo Duterte, “Change is Coming,” this may also what will happen soon at Silliman.
Be glad and rejoice, Sillimanians, for change is coming and it will be soon. All we can do for now is to pray for God’s guidance.
The congressman of the second district, Manuel T. Sagarbarria is a Sillimanian, he graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences with a B. S. Chemistry degree. He is also confident that a happy comprise for both parties in Silliman can be achieved.
Conflict is so costly and it always has a negative effect to those involved. But learning lessons from it, no matter how it hurts or how painful it might be, will make us wiser and better.
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Author’s email: rrm.vergo 24@ gmail.com
