IN LIGHT of the upcoming 2017 Sanggunian General Elections, Sanggunian President Carmela Vinzon called on the student body to vote and to run for leadership positions during the State of the Sanggunian Address (SOSA) on February 20.
The SOSA coincided with the start of the filing of candidacy for students who intend to run. Filing will be until February 26, while the elections will fall on March 27 to 31.
“Today marks the first day of the filing of candidacy, I invite discerning members of the student body to have the courage to go into service,” Vinzon said.
Moreover, the Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy has already released its nominations for different positions.
Sanggu’s progress
In her address, Vinzon enumerated the accomplishments of the different schools and departments for the past four months in relation to the national situation, projects, and student services.
Vinzon tackled student mobilizations through Task Force SIKHAY and campaigns under the Coalition of Ateneans for Indigenous People (CAIP) in her speech.
Moreover, she said that the School of Social Sciences “has been working in different areas of concern such as opening discussions with the admin.” Other efforts include the opening of ecumenical prayer areas for non-Catholics and the increase in student aid and platforms for student engagements.
Meanwhile, in order to better dispense the tasks among its officers, the School of Humanities (SOH) focused mainly on internal institution-building through the forming of committees such as the Curriculum Review Committee.
According to Vinzon, the “Advocacy Committee of SOH is also hard at work into producing possible efforts in relation to gender and sexuality.”
Despite not having an elected representative for the School of Management, Sanggunian Vice President Koko Quilatan said that they continue to work closely with various Course Representatives in order to allocate the budget for thesis and advocacy funds.
Finally, Vinzon explained that the School of Science and Engineering officers focused on partnerships and networking by forming a science and technology alliance with the University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, and the University of Sto. Tomas.
The road ahead
Despite lacking attendance of students, Vinzon said that the student body does not need a SOSA to raise questions because the Sanggunian will always be ready to respond.
In an interview with The GUIDON, Vinzon and Quilatan shared their hopes for next year’s Sanggunian.
“I wish for the Central Assembly to continue passing more effective legislation, to have more grassroots engagements with the students, and to be more open to spaces for collaboration,” Quilatan said.
Quilatan emphasized honesty, openness, accountability, and transparency as the key values that the next administration should uphold.
Vinzon, on the other hand, said, “I want a Sanggunian that listens to the students, reflects the desires of students, and helps them arrive at what they want to do.”
“Indeed, it has been an honor to be your first Sanggunian President under the 2016 Constitution. All we do in the Sanggunian is for the students, the nation, and the greater glory of God,” she added.
