The 
Philippines 
has 
only
 one 
national
 university
 and
 not
 several.
 Our
 government 
first
 and foremost, 
must demonstrate
 concretely
 that
 it
 truly 
recognizes
 the
 strategic
 value
 of
 UP to
the
 future of the
 country
 and the Filipino nation.
 Neighboring countries
 have
 realized
 many
decades 
ago
 that 
their
 own
 national
 universities
 are 
a
 national 
treasure. We 
need
 to
 learn
 from
 them
 and
 follow
 their
 lead.

— UP Diliman Chancellor Caesar Saloma. Read his complete statement here