The Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) has been conducting technical budget hearings and ocular inspections for its campuses since May to ensure effective budget planning, resource allocation, and the development of its campuses and colleges.
This strategy aligns with the recommendations of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), who regularly conduct similar activities with agencies under its jurisdiction, and SLSU adopted this approach to evaluate budget utilization, address institutional concerns, and assess the feasibility of proposed projects.
The project is co-led by Dr. Erwin Villaverde, Chief Administrative Officer, and Asst. Prof. Jed Frank Marqueses, Director of the Planning Office. They are joined by Ms. Maria Cristine Absulio, Director of the Budget Office; Engr. Melvin Makipagay, Director of the Project Management Office; and Engr. Ronelito San Jose, Director of the General Services Office, along with the Administrative Officers and personnel from their respective offices.
The activity involves the team visiting various SLSU campuses to examine classrooms, laboratories, offices, facilities, and infrastructure, assess resource gaps, document the physical condition of each site, and identify areas needing improvement.
Following each campus inspection, the team compiles findings into individual reports, which are then consolidated into a comprehensive document. The report will be presented to the University President to guide fund allocation and recommended actions, aligning with both SLSU’s mission and vision and the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028.
In addition, Dr. Villaverde shared, “This is the first time that SLSU has conducted budget hearing and campus visitation, and we are touched especially when the campus director presented all the issues and concerns. Their needs resonated deeply in our hearts.“
According to the team, SLSU Alabat Campus is among the least developed campuses due to insufficient funding and inadequate facilities. These challenges have significantly affected student enrollment, among others. Following these findings, the team pledged to prioritize the development of facilities and infrastructure in SLSU Alabat.
Meanwhile, Asst. Prof. Marqueses emphasized, “Ang gusto natin [ay] ma-harmonize ang plans and budget para malaman natin kung ano ‘yong dapat unahin na bigyan ng priority, given na limited ang ating resources.”
Furthermore, the next scheduled visit is to the SLSU Tiaong Campus on July 7, followed by inspections at all the colleges and facilities at the Main Campus in Lucban, Quezon.
Article & Layout: Anjelica Bas
Photo: Planning Office