Trisha Casabar
April 30, 2024
INTO NEW ADMIN. College of Arts and Letters Local Student Council for the Academic Year 2024-2025, with Alvin Sagabaen as governor, was formally announced during the proclamation ceremony held at the E-library Amphitheater on Monday, April 29. | Photo by Symon Agulto/CS Wizards
A student-centered administration.
This is what Alvin Sagabaen from the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) wanted on his council as he announced as the new Governor on the proclamation day led by the University Commission on Student Elections (UCSE) at Bulacan State University E-Library 7th floor Amphitheater on Monday, April 29.
Vice Governor Shanellee Valencia, along with Broadcasting Board Members Alexa Hernandez and Ely Gabriel, Journalism Board Member Christopher Castro, Malikhaing Pagsulat Board Member Criscel Dela Peña, and Performing Arts Board Member Em Silvino, will serve as Sagabaen associates in CAL Local Student Council (LSC).
RELATED POST: CAL LSC Election results
In an interview with TC, Sagabaen emphasized the key priorities of their administration, which include facilitating the graduation of seniors and welcoming incoming freshmen.
“Unang-una dito ‘yong pag-ensure na ‘yong mga seniors natin ay magkakaroon nang maayos na graduation rites. ‘Yong speaker na dapat tinatalima nila na dapat umaangkop doon sa programa na tatapusin nila. Pangalawa, ‘yong pagdating ng mga incoming freshmen dito sa ating pamantasan. At gano’n din sa mga problemang maaaring ma-encounter during the finals period,” Sagabaen said.
He also noted that they are in contact with newly-elected Student Government President Queenie Quintero and other governors regarding a petition letter addressing the heat index at BulSU and determining the suitable modality for the CAL.
“Nakipag-usap tayo kay Dean [Mary Bulaong] agad. ‘Dean ano po ba pwede nating gawin regarding dito?’ Ang sabi natin, ‘Dean kahit hindi man natin ito magawa ngayon, pwede tayong gumawa ng mga budget allocation for the next years,” Sagabaen added.
Moreover, he emphasized that the administration maintains ongoing coordination with the local administrator to ensure the effective functioning of the local student council and CAL, including addressing scheduling issues and resolving long vacancies for the benefit of the students.
“Sisiguraduhin natin na sa paparating na konseho ay ‘yong plataporma, hindi lang puro porma. Magkakaroon tayo ng aksyon, magkakaroon tayo ng collective decision and action during the full College of Arts and Letters para magkaroon tayo ng inklusibo, progresibo, at transpormatibong konseho,” Sagabaen further outlined.
Leadership and Responsibility
Meanwhile, the University Commission on Student Elections (UCSE) Chairperson Jeremy Roque underscored the election outcome and urged everyone to unite with a shared ambition and purpose of the council, which genuinely aligns with the fight of BulSUan.
“Naniniwala ang Commission na ang naging resulta ng eleksyon ay base sa kolektibong desisyon ng mga iskolar ng bayan na tutungo sa isang mas progresibong pamamahala na mula at para sa estudyante,” Roque added.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Edgardo Santos also commended this year's peaceful student government election, noting it as a historic occasion due to the increased student involvement.
“In the history of the university, it is the first time that we have that big vote of around fifty point something, that’s almost sixty percent,” he highlighted.
In this year's election, 23,522 out of 40,365 eligible voters cast their votes, resulting in a 58.27% voter turnout despite the issues encountered with the newly implemented hybrid election approach and voting extensions.
RELATED POST: Voting issues on the Electoral process
This marks a significant increase of 20.02% points compared to last year's turnout of 38.25%, where 15,557 out of 40,672 eligible voters participated.
Santos also made personal requests to the newly elected student government officer.
“I urged you as the newly elected officers of the student government to take an active role in fostering a culture of respect, of integrity, of kindness within our university community,” he stated.
Following the proclamation ceremony, newly-elected student leaders are set to begin their term on Tuesday, April 30.
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