CITY OF MALOLOS—Presidential Communications on Operations Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma considered Bulacan State University (BulSU) an epitome of maturity and self-reliance among the state colleges and universities (SCU’s) in the country for its continuous progress and academic advancement for the Bulakenyo youth despite a reduced budget received from the national government.
Speaking before a huge crowd of students and faculty members during the 106th celebration of the University at its Activity Center in Malolos City main campus last Dec. 1, Coloma said BulSU should serve as role model to other SUC’s in the country for being self-reliant and not dependent solely to the government to exist.
He said BulSU was able to reach its 106th anniversary with flying colors of success because it focused on the positive agenda and not on the problem or weakness of the government like the deduced funds.
“Kung nag-focus ang BulSU sa problema at kahinaan, hindi ito magiging tagumpay at maaabot ang 106 years nito ngayon,” he said in Filipino.
The BulSU celebrated its 106th year with its theme: “Unending journey towards progress excellence and progress”.
Coloma defended the budget slash for state colleges and universities saying the higher education institutions in the country should be self-reliant and more resourceful and not always rely all its financial needs to the government.
He told reporters during an interview that state colleges and universities (SCU’s) have their own capabilities for revenue generation to allow them partially sustain their existence and operation with a diminish budget from the national government.
“Hindi naman puwedeng parang mga musmos na akay akay na lang palagi ng national government ang mga state colleges and universities, they should be self reliant and resourceful enough as a gauge of their maturity,” he said.
Coloma also cited the community as additional source of income for the colleges and universities.
He said it is time for the schools who have successful graduates to reap off from their fruits by means of alumni members financially helping the pulling up of resources for their alma mater.
According to the Secretary in charge for the despite a slash of more than P1 billion in the SCU’s budget for next year, the budget for education in the country as a whole gets the bigger percentage compared to previous years.
He also said the lowering of the budget seemed to appear that much because of the P2 billion worth supposed congressional insertion which can no longer be given.
He said during the past years, debt service or budget allotted for the payment of country’s foreign debts got the bulk of the annual budget.
Coloma said BulSU with its current revenue generation system is an example of an SCU in the country which focuses on opportunity and not on problems or deficiency like the slash in budget for the SCU’s in the country.
Coloma also cited international world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao who capitalized on his speed despite being less in height against opponent Antonio Margarito.
Dr. Mariano De Jesus, BulSU President however said they did not join that day the different SCU’s in the country for a nationwide protest against the budget slash.
De Jesus told NEWS CORE that student groups wanted to greet Coloma with protests but he requested them to avert it so as not to humiliate the Secretary.
He said he invited Coloma to ask help for the University to pursue the full construction of the College of Fisheries building in Hagonoy and the creation of its program and curriculum for an inclusion in the next succeeding school year as additional courses and learning for the students.
De Jesus said BulSU’s capital outlay for the past years amounting to P3 million which is through the congressional insertion or support budget from the congressmen’s pork barrel have not been given due to the claim of no available funding by the Department of Budget and Management.
De Jesus said the university is earning almost P1 million a month from its revenue generation for leasing its lot property to a commercial complex.
The university he said earns more from its international curriculum programs in Hongkong, South Korea and would have more in addition in the newly opened Vietnam counterpart for the Graduate Program or Studies in Education, Engineering and Business Management.
He said BulSU is also managing to cope up with its budget demand because of the numbers of students.
“Masuwerte tayo dahil maraming mga estudyante, ang tuition nila dapat sa mga laboratory and facility improvement napupunta pero napupunta na ito sa pambayad sa mga teachers partikular sa mga part time,” De Jesus said.
According to De Jesus the P3 million capital outlay intended for the infrastructure in the university is being subsidized by the tuition fees of the students.
BulSU including from its three other campuses in Bustos, Bulakan towns and San Jose del Monte has a total population of more than P27,000 which per unit of their class pays P200.00 each.
De Jesus showed reporters the newly constructed three-storey Athlete’s Quarter built just recently where the school’s sport’s champion and representatives in sports games and competitions are being made to stay as their homes.
They are not only given free board and lodging but are also made as scholars and being given some food and other allowances.
Laura Gonzales, BulSU budget officer said the amount generated from the student’s tuition fees is almost reaching the budget coming from the national government.
Gonzales said the budget for BulSU this year is at P182.7 million compared to a lower P176 million last year and a P205.9 million for 2011.
She said the seen increase including the P1.6 million increase for the MOOE fund remain insufficient that’s why De Jesus and the other BulSU officials are opted to look for other resources.