95.9 Green FM, the community radio arm of De La Salle University – Dasmariñas (DLSU-D), held KILATIS 2024 at the Tanghalang Julian Felipe (TJF) to assess potential student leaders for the academic year (AY) 2024-2025 last April 30, Tuesday.
Out of the 25 official candidates running, 21 of them were present in the forum-debate, from the University Student Government (USG) executive aspirants down to the College Student Governments (CSGs) hopefuls.
USG Executives: Hapal-Valle
The Hapal-Valle platforms focus on three aspects, namely, “USG na Para sa Estudyante”, which focuses on providing needs-based assistance for students to not be left behind; “USG na Para sa Bayan”, which delves into promoting mass-oriented activism; and “USG na Para sa Mabuting Pamamahala”, which highlights accountability and transparency for student governments.
Presidential candidate Abigail Hapal reiterated and emphasized the importance of participatory government for the student body, even claiming that the USG’s face is not supposed to be the president.
“I don’t want to be the face of DLSU-D University Student Government… It is the student body themselves who should serve as [the] face,” she said.
“The challenge for us is to make the University to truly be the institution that represents its students—basically championing their student advocacies, their student rights,” Hapal added.
Hapal also mentioned how the University is behind progress compared to other La Salle institutions, given the numerous gender-based discrimination cases that include cross-dressing. She stated that collective action, which is also compromised by the studentry, is needed in order to provide safe spaces since ordinances would not be enough.
In alignment with her needs-based program, she also clarified that she is ready to lobby for the abolishment of University policies that are deemed repressive for the student body, especially concerning student activism. She is firm that students have their fundamental rights to dissent.
Meanwhile, Valle highlighted two of their platforms, namely, the strengthening of different student sectors, especially the marginalized ones; and establishing “Samahan ng Kabataang Kabitenyo” which would be a consortium or alliance of various higher education institutions in Cavite that aims to address student concerns, be it within the University or from other colleges.
“Gusto namin na lahat ng estudyante may boses, at alam namin hindi kami basta-basta gawa nang walang impact. Gusto namin is made-deliver namin ‘yung progress and ‘yung service nang maayos at impactful,” he said.
The vice presidentiable also underscored the importance of accountability within student leaders through checks and balances, further noting that student leaders should do their mandated job and uphold the value of due process.
Additionally, he addressed the rising rate of attrition within the University by stressing that there is a need to ground themselves closer to high schools in order to ease it.
“[Mapapakita] namin sa bayan na ang De La Salle University – Dasmarinas ay isa sa mga nagp-produce ng quality students, quality professions. After all, excellent profession, servant leadership, at community service-based training ang aming plataporma,” Valle stated.
USG Legislative for CSCS: Alegre and Imperial
Luis Imperial, College of Science and Computer Studies (CSCS) senatorial aspirant, explained that he will help in improving the facilities in the college by using the budget of the USG to push computer hardware upgrades and computer software purchases for the usage of CSCS students.
Asher Alegre, running for the same position, opposed this, saying that USG’s budget should not be used in improving the facilities of the college, and he revealed that the administration has a budget in upgrading its facilities and equipment. He reiterated the purpose of tuition fee increase (TOFI), saying, “Kapag nagkaroon ng tuition fee increase, dapat may makikita ring pagbabago sa mga facilities dito sa La Salle… Kasama na rin dito ‘yung mga computer na ginagamit.”
Imperial justified the sustainability of his platforms by explaining that during his time in USG, he ensured that his platforms are “small and not a huge wishlist of items” that he may or may not push within a single AY.
“My platform only contains a few items… I’m not about the wishlist; I’m all about serving the people efficiently and effectively,” he said.
Meanwhile, Alegre shared that he wants to bring progressive change that lasts long. He furthered that what the students need is the implementation of beneficial programs.
CBAA CSG: De Leon-Sunga and Manaig-Pablo
College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) governor and vice governor aspirants, Khei De Leon alongside Alyssa Sunga, and Pearl Manaig with Janna Pablo, engaged in a debate as they shared their insights about the issues concerning University and national issues.
De Leon, running for CBAA Governor, proposed a platform aimed at improving internal communication by emphasizing the importance of hearing various versions in an organization.
She outlined a step-by-step procedure to receive the program council budget, including an ordinance establishing their own trust fund to ensure that all students will be given equal opportunities. The CBAA Governor aspirant further stated that this is part of their goal to make more leaders and empower them.
Sunga, the Vice counterpart of De Leon, aims to sustain support for athletes and reiterated her partner’s emphasis on refining communication between officers. Opposing the other tandem, she rebuts the criticism that funding the cause would be a challenge and suggests that sponsorships are available. Sunga is also committed to promoting transparency and efficiency in governance by ensuring that officers stay informed through the Gazette and maintaining regular communication.
On the other hand, Manaig aims to improve internal communication by ensuring that information and updates are disseminated to all student government officers, not only to selected individuals. She stated that leadership from the past influences the leaders of today and candidates should serve as an inspiration for future generations.
Meanwhile, Pablo questioned the platform by the other side, such as the proposed learning commons and free transportation projects. However, the rebuttal by De Leon-Sunga is that gadgets are only used in the commons, and in cases of broken transports, the Buildings and Facilities Maintenance Office (BFMO) is important in addressing this problem.
CCJE CSG: Ambayec-Buriel
Jian Ambayec, governor aspirant from the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), and her running mate Adelaine Buriel, addressed the concerns on student protection within their college.
On unjust warnings from the Student Welfare and Formation Office (SWAFO), Ambayec stated that the disciplinary office is known for having quotas. “We can protect the students by… following the proper dress code, and also… if you know that your dress code is within certain parameters that should be allowed. We can formally address this to SWAFO, which is a platform that they already have. We can contest these disagreements,” she said.
Moreover, when asked about the prevention of alumni interference, the governor-aspirant shared that their student government does not have any ties with their seniors and prioritizes the preservation of their autonomy. She also promised that their officers will consist of an equal number of students from Criminology and Forensic Science to ensure a proportional representation from the said programs.
Meanwhile, vice governor-aspirant Buriel mentioned that concerns regarding unjust warnings from SWAFO must be raised in an appropriate avenue for concerns instead of utilizing the online freedom wall.
Coming from a small college, she also noted that despite their budget restraints, their government will be ready to convince the administration for further support as their prospective projects could also be beneficial for the entire DLSU-D community.
In relation to this, they have also addressed how interacting and engaging with more students from different colleges, through their student government programs, could help minimize the stereotypes surrounding their college.
CEAT CSG: Pagaran-Arellano
Peona Pagaran, running for College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology (CEAT) Governor, and her counterpart Vian Arellano, stated that their platform revolves around three key initiatives, namely transparency, student welfare, and academic excellence. Specifically, the tandem aims to accomplish projects such as to fix water fountains around the Mariano Trias Hall (MTH) building, provide printers for CEAT students, and create an avenue for anonymous complaints.
Regarding the outdated and insufficient equipment for students, they stated that their platforms will be used to voice out these concerns and urge the admins to use the allotted fees for their respective purposes.
They also negated the TOFI as drastic progress regarding the classrooms and the new CEAT building lacks visibility until now. The CEAT building was supposed to be opened last AY 2019-2020, but it remains to be inoperable today.
Furthermore, Pagaran-Arellano aims to ensure transparency by publishing reports not more than a month after events and cultivate trust in the system through collaborating with the directors of their administration to create reports.
CLAC CSG: Linezo-Fidel
College of Liberal Arts and Communication (CLAC) governor candidate Philip Linezo and vice governor candidate Nicole Fidel reiterated four points of their concept-based governance, namely a dynamic government, a stronger internal relation, an equal sectoral representation, and a continued promotion of welfare for the college. Following this, they proposed a sustainability policy by revisiting existing policies, the publishing of CLACSG’s gazette, and a referendum act.
Linezo wants to improve the experience of the current student government and focus on the department. Meanwhile, Fidel wants to emphasize on internal processes rather than external collaborations during their term. She also highlighted the lack of initiative resulting in low student participation.
They plan to fix this by exploring issues of the students and involving them in policy making. Moreover, they also aim to create a student concerns desk, a sectoral committee, and referendum act to raise involvement.
Regarding the separation of emotion and responsibility, Fidel said, “It is more important to put the situation first and your feelings second.” Linezo then followed by stating that effective leaders can separate their emotions from their work and that he has proved being able to do so.
COEd CSG: Abrera-Mendoza and Reyes-Aberia, Tagala
Vying for the positions of the College of Education (COEd) governor and vice governor, aspirants Feliz Abrera with Edge Mendoza, and Marianne Reyes alongside Edzel Aberia have also shared their insights on different issues, mainly concerning the education sector.
When asked about the importance of mental health and its relation to academic performance, vice governor aspirant Mendoza emphasized the value of recognizing the weight of academic workload. He further stated that, if elected, he will utilize his means to communicate with the professors and administrators, as well as to provide spaces and conduct other initiatives that the students can benefit from.
On the other hand, Aberia, another vice gubernatorial candidate, focused on raising mental health awareness, communicating with the students, and seeking professional assistance. He also stated that understanding the whole situation is integral in communicating such advocacy.
In using artificial intelligence (AI) as an academic tool, Aberia expressed his affirmations in adapting the use of AI, but only to a limited extent. “Allowing AI, but not depending on the AI,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Mendoza recognized the future of AI, saying that its use in all fields is inevitable, especially in the following years to come. While expressing setbacks in an AI-dependent education system, which often includes plagiarism, he reiterated that he remains as an advocate for the use of AI. He furthered that he will extend his means as a student and as a future educator to ensure that the students are well aware of the responsible use of the tool.
Concerns surrounding the Self-Care Week (SCW) were also raised in the forum. Governor hopeful Reyes suggested that what the student body can do is to approach the professors that post assessments during the SCW, saying that assessment deadlines should be moved.
Meanwhile, Abrera, who is also running for the gubernatorial slate, stated three points in addressing the dilemma: being aware of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) as students, how it should be strictly implemented, and the SCW to be moved to a different date.
The gubernatorial candidates also commented on the issue about the lack of professors contributing to a low number of graduates, which was mentioned in the State of the University Student Government Address (SUSGA) 2023.
“We would like to give our students the utmost quality of education… Also, administrators need to… make sure na kung sino man ‘yung hina-hire nilang professors would… have this quality to teach the students… and we need to address and make sure that we follow the curriculum as well,” Abrera shared.
Reyes suggested that shortcomings should be addressed, such as giving “loads” to professors and students’ accommodation. She reiterated that if these are taken notice of, it will produce a better quality and a good number of graduates.
Trelie Tagala, one of the five running legislative councilors for COEd, mentioned that the main problem in their college is its population. To address this, she said that aside from promoting their college, they also need to voice out ideas to allow their platforms to keep up with other colleges in this aspect.
She mentioned that a legislative councilor’s responsibility is to represent their college’s student body, hence there is a need for the student government to recognize the students’ concerns. Tagala is pushing for a monthly meeting program that can help them navigate these concerns.
Legislative councilor aspirant Bien Angelo Verana, who was expected to come, was absent during the forum due to personal health issues.
CSCS CSG: Olase-Ruidera
College of Science and Computer Studies (CSCS) governor and vice-governor hopefuls Jake Ryan Olase and Giannina Ruidera laid out their platforms, centered in addressing student concerns and improving internal communication in their student government.
“We will push onwards to a progressive and responsive CSCSSG (College of Science and Computer Studies Student Government). We will respond to the needs of the 1,400 CSCS students,” Olase stated.
One of their platforms, “Boses Aces”, focuses on collecting problems of their student body through regular monitoring and focus group discussions, which in return could be a framework for their legislative council to write ordinances that could present solutions. They also stated that this would further improve their visibility among the CSCS students.
The looming concern regarding the poor facilities and equipment being used despite the hike in miscellaneous fees of Biology students was also mentioned, to which Ruidera said that they are willing to reach out and pressure the University administration for acting on improvements.
In enhancing the operations and communications of their governance, they dedicated a platform to empower CSCS student leaders, athletes, and representatives of the college. Olase noted that “Emphasizing Excellence” aims to pinpoint different problems to understand the needs of the studentry.
They also want to provide contingency plans for future CSCS projects relating to the lack of back-up ideas by this year’s CSCSSG, as Olase mentioned, leading to many inconveniences amid programs.
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As per the University Student Elections Committee (USEC), the campaign period will last until May 8.