By Francheska Griño & Lyssah Bilog
The De La Salle University-Dasmariñas University Student Government (USG) recently delivered its State of the University Student Government Address (SUSGA) held at Ugnayang La Salle last September 30, 2023, delivered by Benedict Bravo, USG president for the Academic Year 2023 – 2024.
Beginning the address by aiming to build trust, faith, and confidence of the student body in their USG, Bravo talked about the issues during his candidacy, such as the withdrawal of his previous running mate, the forfeiture of his candidacy, and being appointed instead of being elected by the student population.
“Today I am here to reassure the University that the President, the Vice President and the rest of the USG serves the interests, rights, and welfare of our everyday Lasallians – higit sa aming mga sarili, ang inyong mga interes, karapatan, at kapakanan ang aming inuuna,” he clarified.
Bravo mentioned that trials and opportunities marked their 60-day-in-office period, testing all members’ leadership skills and highlighting the USG’s journey, the university’s current state, the challenges ahead, and their strategies to overcome them.
In addition, the USG President also shared their monthly survey results about student concerns gathered by student governments, program councils, and block representatives.
According to Bravo, the results included “mas maayos na internet connection, sapat na mga propesor, tama at naaayon na mga learning materials, nagagamit at ligtas na mga pacilidad sa loob ng pamantasan, angkop na kagamitan sa loob ng mga laboratories, mas maayos at madaling maintindihan na mga anunsyo, mas akma at makataong curriculum at marami pang iba.”
Channeling the importance of marginalized sectors, such as but not limited to student assistants, dormers, student-athletes, scholars, working students, LGBTQ+ members, and PWDs, the Bravo-Buhay administration underscored including them in the decision-making process for the university’s activities, programs, projects, and services (APPS) and policies.
Furthermore, through the USG Participatory Governance Act of 2023, authored by then-Senator and now Inspector General of the High Court Abigail Hapal, the USG intends to commit itself to institutionalizing the student feedback system and the USG Helpdesk.
The USG also aims to lobby for bicycle lanes and parking spaces within the campus, encouraging the use of bicycles to minimize the use of fossil fuel and promote a pollution-free mode of transportation.
“Opening a discussion on shifting to renewable and cleaner form of energy is already a victory dahil nagsimula tayo ng isang pangmatagalang solusyon para sa Inang Pamantasang minamahal natin,” Bravo stated.
SUSGA 2023 lasted for two and a half hours and was attended by DLSU-D student leaders from various offices and organizations.
For more information and updates about the USG’s provisions and initiatives, kindly visit their official Facebook Page linked below:
https://www.facebook.com/usg.dlsud
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Here are the highlights of SUSGA 2023.
Leadership Challenges. Bravo mentioned the challenges faced by the USG, including the withdrawal of a running mate, issues with the appointment process, and concerns about genuine student representation. “The process has already ended, nandito na tayo sa kung nasaan tayo ngayon at nangyari na ang nangyari. But, today I am here to reassure the University that the President, the Vice President and the rest of the USG serves the interests, rights, and welfare of our everyday Lasallians – higit sa aming mga sarili, ang inyong mga interes, karapatan, at kapakanan ang aming inuuna.”
Infrastructure and Equipment. Bravo discusses the state of the infrastructure, including a broken ceiling and a shortage of office equipment.
Student Concerns. Common concerns of most college departments were also shared, including demands for a better internet connection, number of professors, sufficient and functional learning materials, laboratory equipment, better dissemination of university announcements, and more.
Student Engagement. Bravo emphasizes the importance of student engagement and participation in various activities, programs, and projects (APPS), such as leadership training, student feedback systems, and gender sensitivity training.
Environmental Initiatives. Bravo discusses environmental initiatives, including promoting bicycle lanes, parking spaces, and discussing a shift to renewable energy sources. The encouragement of using bicycles in the university is also mentioned to minimize fossil fuel use and promote a pollution-free mode of transportation.
Legislation and Governance. Bravo discusses the legislation and governance reforms proposed by the USG, such as transparency and accountability measures, ethical standards for student leaders, and efforts to reduce red tape and bureaucracy by introducing the Efficient Student Governance Act of 2023 by Former Senator Abigail Hapal.
2019 USG Constitution. Bravo suggests a review and potential revision of the 2019 USG Constitution to improve the available provisions of the Constitution and re-introduce the USG Constitution through the revival of the Balikhaan Program – providing a general understanding and awareness about the contents of the Constitution.
Student Inclusivity. Finally, Bravo highlights the importance of inclusivity, with a focus on marginalized sectors within the student community, such as but not limited to student assistants, dormers, student-athletes, scholars, working students, LGBTQ+ members, and PWDs, in the decision-making process.
The SUSGA serves as a compass for the academic year ahead and the terms that will follow, offering a call to action for every member of the community to actively participate in shaping the future of DLSU-D as the USG unveils its vision for progress and unity, that embarks on a collective journey towards a brighter future for the university.
