MUST N E W S L E T T E RThe Official Newsletter of Mindanao University of Science & TechnologyC.M. Recto, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro Citywww.must.edu.ph

June 2015Special Edition

MUST welcomes Hon. Alan Peter S. Cayetano and party!

“Change alone is not enough. Continuous change leads to complete transformation.”

Instilling Real Change: The Pilipinas 2020 VisionBy Anna Kristine Obina and Daryl Bao (The Trailblazer)

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Achieving change has been a long-sought goal among Filipino visionaries since colonization. Promoting change in the country is timeless that concrete evidence of achieving it seems to be just as vague as the future. To create change of what seemed to be a culture of timeless declaration of campaigns for change, Pilipinas 20/20 was established. The educational system in the Philippines has certainly developed since the ancient times. However, the scholastic system of this country has unfortunately not been able to establish an effective and innovative way of educating the Filipino youth that is in par of other countries. One of the reasons that the students cannot cope up with the international standards in terms of contemporary skills and knowledge is the fact that the financial scheme of the government is

insufficient in providing enough funds for the State Universities and Colleges (SUC’s) throughout the country. For 15 years, the budget for SUC’s remained stagnant except for the minimal inflation rate of tuition fees to compensate for students’ need. Thus, even though the vision and mission of every SUC is to be the leading provider of higher education to the Filipinos, the sad reality is that these institutions cannot attain these goals. It is the initiative of the administrators to increase the tuition fees in order to meet the needs of the increasing number of students. In effect, the students found it hard to pay for their supposedly quality education. Despite the fact that most of the administrators claimed that the primary reason of the increasing number of drop-outs in SUC’s is that the students cannot withstand the difficulty of the

courses, students strongly assert that it is the “pocket-emptying” fees that hinders their graduation in college. Pilipinas 20/20, a five-year goal of achieving relevant change, envisions a change of this disheartening situation. It is a transformation that transcends on every Filipino to fulfill a national goal of living in a reformed country where every need is met and provided for especially in the educational system of the country. Arising from what our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal said that the youth are the hope of the nation, Pilipinas 20/20 campaign invested on the future leaders of this country – the student leaders. On its fourth assembly last May 29 held at Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) Performing Arts Theatre (PAT) that was attended by student leaders and administrators from different state universities and colleges in

-- Sen. Alan Peter S. CayetanoSenate Majority Leader

Program: Dr. Jo Mark M. Libre Venue: Mr. Allan Rodorocio Logistics: Mr. Felix Saquilayan Decoration: Mr. Joel Abratiguin Secretariat: Mrs. Fretzie Salado

Over-All Chairperson: Dr. Juana M. De La Rama Co-Chairperson: Dr. Jo Mark M. Libre Members: Mr. Kenneth T. Asuncion Mr. John Lecena Mr. Jellie Edem Mr. Virgilio Artajo Ms. Vanessa M. Maandig Mr. Jan Rex Tabequero

Technical: Mr. Erich AbadMarshal/Security/Transpo: Mr. Erik C. Gundran Documentation: Ms. Anne Lorraine R. Sitoy Ushers & Usherettes: Mr. Marc Bacayo

Chairpersons:

MUST UPDATE Special Edition Staff: Anne Lorraine Sitoy, Ren Ybañez, KP Hortilano, April Rose Cahucom, Jay Juniel Murcilla, Daryl Bao, and Anna Obina

Instilling Real Change...

TECHNICAL WORKING GROUPSen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s University Visit and Youth Consultative Assembly on Pilipinas 20/20, Perfect Vision for Real Change

Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, ARMM and CARAGA, the participants engaged themselves in workshops that will develop them into better forerunners of the country. If every foundation of Pilipinas 20/20 is laid right, it is aspired that better facilities, free quality education, environment-friendly communities and the advancement of industries will be achieved. Graduates from standardized and modern college institutions will then be able to compete in the international employment race. The Philippines have suffered under different foreign forces and been siphoned of our natural resources for their nation’s needs. Nowadays, it is no different except that the culprits now are our fellow Filipinos.

Pilipinas 20/20 may just be the start of the spark that will ignite the hearts of all Filipinos to strive for a better government. “I believe in God’s plan for us, our community, our nation,” Sen. Alan Peter S. Cayetano said in his message to the participants as delivered by MUST President Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras last May 29. Although the goals of Pilipinas 20/20 seemed unattainable in such a short time, it is never impossible that it would change our outlook on governance that will eventually bring the Filipino people into greater heights. “I believe there is hope. I believe we can be the change. I believe we can transform our society.”

Senator Cayetano with MUST and PASUC president Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras.

Upclose and personal with Kuya Alan.

Youth leaders fill the MUST gymnasium.