THE FIVE unopposed candidates seeking Central Student Council (CSC) posts mirrored each other’s stances on several campus issues during the “Tagisan 2022” debate.
All five candidates for president, secretary, treasurer, auditor, and public relations officer (PRO) favored the resumption of face-to-face (F2F) classes for all programs and levels, onsite events of student organizations, and vaccination of all students.
They also supported the improvement of school facilities, strengthening of Catholic teachings and values in the curriculum, promotion of charity drives, religious diversity in the University, provision of financial assistance to students in need, UST’s active involvement in political issues, student protests and rallies, promotion of mental health wellness, leniency in academic deadlines, and implementation of academic breaks.
The candidates were also against tuition increase, while secretarial candidate Francisco Mayuyu was the only one who supported the implementation of short intensive courses.
The annual mandatory debate was streamed online by the UST Central Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Thomasian Media Circle and Talents (Tomcat) on Saturday.
Student inclusivity
Presidential candidate Nathan Agustin said students must be included in the discussion of F2F classes to ensure their safety as well as in the policy and decision-making of the University.
“Ang sistema sa kasalakuyan ay hindi pumapabor sa estudyante—walang relasyon,” said Agustin. “Imbes na dumadaan ang talakayan sa ating mga konseho, sa ating mga estudyante, nalalaman na lang natin sa mga publikasyon na may polisiya na pala ang admin natin.”
“Sa ngayon mahirap sabihin na handa tayo sa ligtas na balik-eskwela. Kailangan natin diskusyon [at] kailangan kasama ang estudyante sa usapan,” he added.
Agustin also proposed the creation of ad hoc committees in the CSC, or committees for addressing certain issues, for more equality in student services and among the different sectors.
Internal reform
Internal reform is needed to expedite paperwork processing in the University, said Mayuyu. An improved events calendar was also needed, he said.
He pushed for new roles for mental health committees in local student councils.
“These committees actually reinforce ‘yung purpose po ng ating [Counseling and Career Center], kung saan mas naiiaabot po ‘yung services ng CCC sa ating students. We will add further roles to these committees,” Mayuyu said.
Communication, arts and culture
PRO applicant Rhojen Sianda proposed webinars and training to strengthen the communication skills of the PROs.
Sianda, who belongs to Mindanao’s Blaan tribe, said that the CSC also needed to focus on exposing Thomsians to the arts and culture.
“Culture and arts [are] present in the heart of the Filipinos. We just need to ignite it. And I believe the ignition starts in every Thomasian student,” he said.
Centralize, institutionalize
Auditor candidate Dale Marollano said that he planned to create a centralized CSC website and dissolve the audit committee.
“Sa aking termino, tatanggalin ko po ang audit committee dahil bilang isang auditor dapat ako po mismo ang nangunguna dito at di ko na po iaasa ito sa committee,” he said.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Amper IV, the lone candidate for treasurer, pushed for crisis resiliency, transportation in preparation for in-person classes, and tax and job documents education for students.
He said he would hold a workshop with the University Crisis Management Committee for students to have a smooth transition should F2F classes resume next academic year.
The election period for the CSC polls will begin on April 4. The proclamation of the new officers will be on April 8.
