The UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas Central Student Council (UST CSC) was able to complete only 20% of its platforms, spending below its total budget for the academic year 2024-2025 as several initiatives were canceled, delayed or left incomplete because of a shortened term.
Operating for only half of the academic year, UST CSC was able to implement 11 out of 19 projects and submit two policies. Its expenditures totaled P548,610 or 76.3% of its P718,771 allocated funds.
The figures were contained in the student council’s transparency report released on July 1, which also showed six discontinued or canceled and two partially completed projects and one policy that required revision.
Overall, the office of the president used P28,425 or 54.7% of its P51,950 budget, while the office of the vice president spent P44,926.66 (56.1%) of its P80,050 outlay.
The office of the secretary spent P342,700.50 (84.8%) of P404,249 while the office of the auditor used P50,993 (95%) of P53,900. The chief-of-staff spent P62,979 (97%) of P64,972.
Missed initiatives
Logistical hurdles and compressed scheduling were cited as major factors behind unfinished initiatives, according to the report.
The office of the public relations officer, led by Annie Nicholle Agon, proposed three community and nation-oriented initiatives: Pag-asang Bayan sa Komunidad, Pag-asa ng Bayan sa Lipunan and Estudyante Kasama ang Bayan; but none were launched due to time constraints.
Agon’s early leave of absence for her candidacy also contributed to the non-implementation of Pag-asa ng Bayan sa Lipunan, the report said.
Meanwhile, the office of the president’s Tomasiknows: CSC ConstiRev Information Session, aimed at educating Thomasians on constitutional revisions, was scrapped but P10,125 of the P24,625 budget were reallocated and used on Power to the Polls, a voter empowerment forum ahead of the midterm elections last May.
The CSC secretary’s Hakbang Tomasino, which aimed to provide a framework that would guide community development leaders toward sustainable programs; and the chief-of-staff’s Kaakabay Project, focused on gender-fair language and women’s rights education, were canceled without expenditure and were deferred to succeeding officers.
Meanwhile, two projects saw partial implementations.
The vice president’s So, Gie Ka Ba?: Dare to Express in April used P12,370 of P39,150 to promote SOGIE awareness among 23 Thomasians. The two-day exhibit Unbreakable: Celebrating Women’s Triumphs under the office of the auditor used P12,168 of P14,500 and drew more than 60 participants in March. However, the event was delayed for a day due to scheduling conflicts.
The Thomasian Wellness Aid System, a mental health policy recommendation, was marked for revision in the following term under the office of the secretary. The UST CSC was able to submit two policies: the Students’ Rights and Welfare Guidebook and a policy recommendation on gender-fair language use. F
Note: The Flame noted a typographical error in the office of the president’s reported budget spent, listing P28,245 in its Facebook post instead of the correct P28,425. The article was also updated to correct an error on the budget reallocation from TomasiKnows to Power to the Polls.
