A FORMER coordinator for the Central Student Council’s (CSC) Office of the Secretary is vying for the secretary position itself this year, seeking to connect distant UST campuses and streamline paperwork needed to mount student activities.
Medical biology junior Meckia Villanueva is the lone candidate for CSC secretary—the highest office up for election in the 2024 CSC race, with no contenders for the presidency or vice presidency.
Among her platforms is “Abot Tomasino,” a system that aims to connect students from UST’s main campus with those from its satellite campuses through initiatives such as open University events.
“Ito ay magbibigay ng paraan para higit na magkaroon ng koneksyon ang ating campus at sa gayon ay matulungan natin ang mga nagsisimula pa lang na campus to establish their councils,” Vilannueva told the Varsitarian.
UST has over 43,000 students across two campuses: Manila and General Santos (GenSan). The campus in Santa Rosa, Laguna is expected to begin offering programs next year.
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“Once we have mended the gap between the different UST campuses, we will have greater manpower to push forward sa progreso ng ating Unibersidad at sa ating konseho,” Villanueva said.
Drawing from her experience as a CSC executive staff member for community development, Villanueva also aims to streamline document processing to support the community development efforts of student organizations.
Through her “Hakbang Tomasino” platform, Villanueva plans to partner with the UST Simbahayan Community Development Office to establish a more “systematic framework” for implementing programs in partner communities.
“Pagtitibayin natin ang framework ng community development sa paghahatid ng isang mas feasible at efficient na framework sa pagproseso ng ating mga papeles,” she said.
“Makipag-ugnayan tayo sa mga community development heads ng ating Unibersidad upang tukuyin ang mga problema na siyang pagtutuunan natin ng pansin sa pagpapabuti ng ating sistema.”
Unusual candidacy, term
In an interview with the Varsitarian, the Central Commission on Elections said Villanueva would most likely assume the CSC presidency if elected, due to the absence of candidates for both presidency and vice presidency.
Villanueva said she was willing to step up if necessary.
“With the possibility of taking the role of president [once] elected, I will be willing to offer my service and best interests in the commitment to serve the Thomasian community,” she said.
READ: Secretary bet likely to assume CSC presidency amid lack of candidates — Comelec
However, even if elected, Villanueva will have a term shorter than usual. CSC elections are typically held during the latter half of Term 2, in March or April, with the outgoing officers stepping down at the end of each academic year.
This year’s CSC elections followed an unusual and unprecedented timeline due to the mass withdrawal of all CSC aspirants in the previous elections, prompting the CSC Central Board to appoint interim officers to temporarily manage the Executive Board’s duties.
Villanueva said her platforms were designed to be achieved within a limited timeframe.
“Malaking problema at malaking challenge para sa amin ang ma-push ang mga platapormang mayroon kami, but the platform I am offering the student body is the most feasible that I can think of for this short span of time,” she said.
Villanueva vowed to continue with the policies initiated by the previous administration and engage in dialogue with the UST administration to address unresolved issues.
“We can create a lot of dialogues with the administration to mend the gap that has been created from the past issues,” she said. “Given the short amount of time, I can ensure that this will not be merely events. Hindi lamang din naman events ang nagawa ng nakaraang termino.”
Thomasians can cast their votes starting on Nov. 12. The election period will conclude with the proclamation of the new set of CSC officers on Nov. 16. Ella Mae A. Sison
