30th Buklod Official Report

7/28/2019 30th Buklod Official Report

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30th

Buklod Atenista National Leaders Summit

A Report by Renzo Blanco, ADNU Ambassador

I. What is Buklod Atenista?Buklod Atenista, more commonly known as Buklod, is the union of student

governments of the 5 Jesuit tertiary educational institutions in the Philippines namely the

Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU), Ateneo de Davao

University (ADDU), Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan (XU), and Ateneo de Zamboanga

University (ADZU).

To cite the preamble of the Buklod Atenista Constitution 2013 Constitution, the member

schools of Buklod Atenista, imploring the aid of the Almighty, recognize the need to unify all

Ateneans in order to effect a more active participation in the economic, social, cultural, and

political development of the Filipino nation and guided by the principles of justice, freedom ,

and peace in the light of Ignatian values.

The alliance has been in existence for 30 years already, since the Marcos era, with the

original objective of facilitating rendezvous between the 5 Ateneo schools in light of the

Martial Law. Now, Buklod has evolved into an institution that unites all Ateneans in the

spirit of service to our beloved universities and the community.

II. The 30th Buklod AtenistaOriginally, the 30th Buklod Atenista Leadership Summit was going to be held in ADNU.

Every year, the 5 Ateneo schools take turns in hosting Buklod in their respective universities.

For this year however, in solidarity with the centennial (100th) foundation anniversary

celebration of ADZU, it was decided during the 29th

Buklod Atenista summit that ADNU

would transfer its hosting rights to ADZU for this particular year.

Thus, the Ateneo de Zamboanga University hosted the 30th

Buklod Atenista Leaders

Summit last May 27 June 1, 2013.

The Logos of the 5 Member Schools of Buklod Atenista (L-R): ADDU, ADMU, XU, ADNU, and ADZU

Ateneo de Zamboanga celebrates its 100th

Anniversary

Taken by Kristiana Embate, ThePILLARS Editor-in-Chief


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III. The DelegatesThe official representatives of Ateneo de Naga University in the 30th Buklod Leaders

Summit are as follows: Gabriel N. Asuncion, 4 BSA SSG President; Joseph Roe V. Ondis, 4BSBA CMA SSG EVP; Kristiana Michaela P. Embate, 4 AB BSE English; ThePILLARS

Publication Editor-in-Chief and; Renzo Enrico DG. Blanco, 4 BSBA BMHP Buklod Atenista

Ambassador for ADNU.

The summit was also attended by 23 other student representatives from the other 4

Ateneo Schools. From ADMU (6), the delegates were Micha Aldea, COA President; John

Dimla, SOH Chairperson; Tadeo Chua, DRS Chairperson; Dan Remo, President; Cate Sison,

previous Buklod Atenista Permanent Secretariat (BAPS) Secretary-General and; Ray Gomez,

Ambassador for ADMU.

The ADNU Delegates. (L-R): Renzo Blanco, Kristiana Embate, Gabriel Asuncion, Roe Ondis

The ADMU Delegates. (L-R): Cate Sison, John Dimla, Dan Remo, Ray Gomez, and Micha Aldea


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From ADZU (6), the delegates were Ruby Calletor, outgoing Ambassador for ADZU;

Lizette Carpio, EAO Vice Governor; Kris Hacut, NAO Vice Governor; Geraldine Jaji, NAO

Governor; Earl Toribio, President and; Rommel Ong, Ambassador for ADZU.

The following are the pictures of the Presidents and the whole delegation of the

summit.

The ADZU Delegates. (L-R): Ruby Calletor, Earl Toribio, Rommel Ong, and Geraldine Jaji

The Presidents in what is dubbed as

the TraPo (Traditional Politician)

Pose. (L-R) Earl Toribio, ADZU;

Gabriel Asuncion, ADNU; Dan Remo,

ADMU; Princess Ubay-Ubay, XU and;

Robin Tongcua, ADDU

The whole delegation of the 30th

Buklod

Atenista Leaders Summit


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IV. The Role of the AmbassadorsThe Ambassador is the official representative of his/her university in Buklod Atenista. It

is the Ambassadors duty to

Represent his/her University in Buklod Atenista; Be the official coordinating representative of Buklod to his/her University and

Student Government;

Author and approve resolutions to be adopted by the alliance; Execute resolutions that are applicable to his/her institution; Exercise his/her sole right to vote in the National Congress and; Closely coordinate with other Ambassadors and member schools in the

implementation their respective institutions programs and resolutions.

The ambassadors, chaired by the BAPS Secretary General, compose the highest decision

and policy-making body of the alliance, which is called the National Congress. The

ambassadors are expected to lead his/her student government and university in carryingout the plans and resolutions they have created during the leadership summit for their

University and community within their 1-year term.

The Ambassadors with the BAPS Secretary-Generals. (L-R): Cate Sison, Outgoing BAPSSecretary General; Albert Daba III, XU; Ray Gomez, ADMU; Ivy Torregosa, ADDU; Rommel

Ong, ADZU; Renzo Blanco, ADNU; Peter Paras, BAPS Secretary General


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V. The SummitIn this section of the report, I will discuss on what had transpired in the 5-day leadership

summit in Ateneo de Zamboanga, University last May 27 June 1, 2013.

| Day 1 May 27, 2013

The ADNU delegates arrived at the Zamboanga International Airport by 7:30 AM of May

27. We were welcomed and picked up by the working committee with Earl Toribio,

President of El Consejo Atenista, ADZUs student government.

We were brought to the Student

Activity Center of Ateneo de Zamboanga

to be given time to settle down andrest. We were assigned to check in at

the Grand Astoria Hotel by 3:00 PM. By

9:00 AM, we were introduced to the

delegates of ADDU. They arrived a day

earlier in Zamboanga. After the

exchange of short pleasantries, together

we went for breakfast. We immediately

had a taste of Zamboanga as they

served us Satti, a dish of grilled chicken

with cubed rice dipped in Satti sauce.

After that, we were brought to the

Barter where we were given time to shop

for souvenirs and pasalubong. The Barter

offers so many Zamboanga products like

chocolates, malong, pashmina, printed

bags, keychains, fancy fans that can be

turned into a hat, and many more items.

The ADNU Delegates with the ADDU Delegates.

Satti, a delicacy of Zamboanga

Some of the products in the Barter


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| Day 2 May 28, 2013

The day started with a prayer in the shuttle from the hotel on the way to ADZU Campus

followed by a hearty breakfast with the whole delegation. This was how a typical morning

would start for us in Zamboanga.

The summit was officially opened by ADZU El Consejo Atenista President, Earl Toribio.

After that, the outgoing Buklod Atenista Permanent Secretariat (BAPS) Secretary General,

Cate Sison, recapped the updates and events for the 29th

Buklod Summer and Midyear

convention.

After the presentation of schedule of activities and an ice breaker, there was a talk on

the Bangsamoro Structure prepared and given by Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ. Father began his talk

by asking the student-leaders present in the congress Ano ang koneksyon mo saMindanao? Father then talked on how the Bangsamoro was established and its

implications to the Philippines and the Philippine government. Father Albert also

substantially discussed the contents of the Bangsamoro Agreement and the Bangsamoro

Law. The Bangsamoro Law is equivalent to our Philippine Constitution. Father ended his talk

with a statement that There should be shared peace attained through the confidentiality

of the peace talks, and confidence in the peace process. I am to expound on the Talk on

Bangsamoro in the Alternative Class Program to share it with the students of ADNU.

Ano ang Koneksyon mo sa Mindanao? Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ presents the Bangsamoro

Structure to the student-leaders in Buklod


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A plenary session followed after the talk of Father Albert. The delegates were grouped

into 5. The student-leaders were guided with the following questions on their reflection:

1. What struck you most in the Talk on the Bangsamoro Structure? What are yourrealizations?

2. Do you agree or disagree with the current structure of the Bangsamoro? Why or whynot?

3. What course/s of action could Buklod take as an alliance to support the BangsamoroAgreement and the peace process?

Father Albert Alejo, SJ with the delegates of the 30th

Buklod Atenista Leaders Summit

Plenary Session on the Talk on Bangsamoro Structure. (L-R) Group 5: Dan Remo from

ADMU; Renzo Blanco from ADNU; Nika Montellano from XU; Irvir Dormile from ADDU


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For some, the Talk on Bangsamoro Structure was an eye opener on how the

Bangsamoro Agreement affects the Filipinos and the Philippines as a nation. Especially

for the 2 Ateneo Schools situated in Luzon, the student-leaders have realized their

significant connection to what is happening in Mindanao and in the Bangsamoro.

With regards to the current structure of the Bangsamoro, the participants are torn

between fully supporting its good cause and the structures abstract nature. Although

the salient points of the structure are truly beneficial for the parties involved, we

recognize that the structure is still changing and is not that clear as of the moment.

The student-leaders identified the need to raise awareness on the Bangsomoro

Structure not only in our respective universities but also in our communities. Thus,

Buklod will exert extensive efforts to lobby these information to the student

governments, student body, and in our respective universities through various medium.

By afternoon, we were supposed to have a talk on the current pressing issue in

Mindanao that is the Mindanao Power Crisis. However, due to the unavailability of the

speaker, we proceeded with the next activity, which is the updating of resolutions that

were passed during the 29th

Buklod Leaders Summit in Xavier University Ateneo de

Cagayan last May 28 31, 2012.

Every Summit, the Buklod Ambassadors

craft resolutions to be implemented in the

Ateneo schools. The scope of these

resolutions is mostly University-wide,

community-wide, and this year, it has gone to

the extent of crafting nationwide resolutions.

Some of the resolutions that were

implemented in Ateneo de Naga University

are the resolution on protecting the sanctity

of activity hours; resolution on implementing

a waste management scheme in the

university; resolution on the extensive

support for the No To Mining in Palawan

movement; resolution on establishing

umbrella organizations for all accredited

organizations (The Ateneo Directorate of

Student Organizations, or ADSO) and;resolution on the implementation and

evaluation of the university uniform policy,

among many others.

Resolution Updating. The ADNU

Ambassador lays out the developments of

the resolutions the previous Ambassador

has implemented in his term.


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The next agenda for the day was the updating on the Service Learning Program (SLP)

in our respective universities. The service learning program is defined as a teaching and

learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and

reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility and strengthen

communities; integrated within the curriculum of a course that is thus not just anordinary voluntary extension but an academic requirement.

The resolution on the implementation of SLP in our universities was crafted way back

in the 28h

Buklod Atenista Leaders Summit in Xavier University Cagayan de Oro. The

resolution states that the member schools of Buklod Atenista shall implement the SLP in

the next 3 years. On the 30th

Buklod Atenista Leaders Summit, we had our last updating

of SLP in our respective universities. A closing report on this will be published by our

BAPS Secretary-General soon.

The creation of the University Social Involvement Council by our then University

President, Father Joel Tabora, SJ, was a big help in the implementation of SLP in Ateneo

de Naga University. For one, the ADNU-SSG has a seat in the said council, which made it

easier for the student government to lobby its efforts to promote SLP in the university.

Also, there are courses currently integrating SLP in their programs like NSTP-CFFP. Theestablishment also of adoptive barangays was a big leap towards integrating social

actions with the university programs and activities.

Updates on SLP. This is from the presentation on SLP updates which was prepared and

presented by the ADNU Ambassador together with the ADNU-SSG President.


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Our last agenda for the day was the presentation of proposed house bills that are

pending in the Congress that may be supported by Buklod Atenista. The move was

initiated by Peter Paul Paras, BAPS Secretary-General. In our Facebook Group, Peter

posted some house bills that Buklod Atenista could support as an alliance. He also

solicited from other Ateneo shools for other house bills to be supported by Buklod.Finally, the following house bills were presented by the BAPS Secretary-General:

HB4315: Peoples Mining Bill HB3052: Anti-Epal Bill HB270: Moro History, Culture, and Identity Studies Act SN2649: Prohibition to Establish Political Dynasty Revised Freedom of Information Act 2012 SB3300: Crowdsourcing Act of 2012

Peter presented the background, rationale, and salient points of each bill. After the

presentation, the member schools were given time to further study the bills and tomake a stand on whether they are willing to support the bills or not, and for what

reasons. The support for house bills will then be discussed on a later date.

The meeting for the day was then adjourned.

Presentation of House Bills. Peter Paras, BAPS Secretary General, presents the salient

points of the HB4315 aka Peoples Mining Bill


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Presentation of ADNU Best Practices. SSG President

Gabriel Asuncion presents to the assembly ADNUs

structure, activities, and other developments.

| Day 3 May 29, 2013

After our usual morning routine, we immediately started the days session with the

Best Practices Sharing of each school. The objectives of the best practices presentationare 1) For the Ateneo schools to be familiarized with the structure of other student

governments; 2) For the Ateneo schools to know the old and new best practices of

other student governments and be able to benchmark ideas, activities, and projects

from them; 3) To be knowledgeable about their sister schools programs, activities, and

developments and; 4) To be able to identify the current issues and problems of their

sister schools student government and be able to offer suggestions and assistance for

them if necessary.

After each schools presentation,

a discussion would immediately

follow after. The discussion was

more on inquiries and clarifications

from the presenter, thorough

discussion on the presentations

highlights, and generating of plans

of actions towards the current

issues and problems of each

school. During the discussion also,

the sister schools offered

assistance to the other schools

through sending of pertinent

documents and sharing their current

practices that may resolve theexisting issues with other universities.

One of the common problems of the Ateneo student governments was the existence of

student apathy among its student body. Although manifested in different ways and in

different levels, still, the underlying problem is one and the same. Among the plans of

actions that were identified to address the problem are improving student

governments activities, increasing student participation, interaction, and involvement

to student government and university activities, empowering student organizations,

among others.

The next agenda for the day was the amendment of the Buklod Atenista Constitution.Amended last 2011, the body deemed it necessary for the revision of the constitution to

address the needs of the alliance to further strengthen its structure and to set its goals

and objectives clearer. One of the major amendments was that the hosting of BAPS

Rights, which was originally for evaluation every 5 years, is now on rotation just like

the mechanism on the hosting rights of Buklod. The rotation of BAPS Rights follows the

rotation of hosting rights: ADMU, ADDU, ADNU, ADZU, and XU. The amendment was

initiated by ADMU.


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Presentation on Loyola College of Culion (LCC).

Initiated by ADDU, they discussed the current

situation and issues faced by LCC.

The next agenda for the day was the discussion of Buklods Code of Finance Process

and Procedures (CFP). The need to discuss the CFP arose from the externalization plans

of Buklod and the recurring issue on generation and allocation of fund and expenses for

Buklod. The following were talked about during the discussion:

1. Guiding Principles (Declaration of Policy, Title, etc.)

2. Financial Reports

3. Source/s of Fund

4. Budget Allocation

5. Budget Review and Deliberation

6. Mode of Disbursement

7. Reimbursement Policy

8. Penalty for Non-payment, delay, or non-compliance with CFP

9. Amendment

10. Other Matters

During the settlement of CFP, the organization heads and Presidents were in a separate

plenary session to discuss matters respective to their functions. After the CFP was

settled, all of the delegates returned to the session and Ateneo de Davao University was

given time to present the Current Situation of Loyola College of Culion (LCC).

LCC is one of the sister schools of

Ateneo. It is located in Culion,

northernmost of Palawan. It offers two

tertiary courses, namely Bachelor of

Arts Major in Literature and Bachelor of

Science Major in Entrepreneurial

Tourism. It is the only educationalinstitution that offers tertiary education

in the area. Although faced with

financial and societal difficulties, LCC is

continuously ran by the Jesuits.

Some of the problems faced by Culion, as presented by ADDU, are the following:

Relies on solar power; no reliable source of electricity

Former leprosarium during the American period and the Commonwealth of thePhilippines. With this, there is a stigma that Culion dwellers are leprosy carriers

High prices in terms of water

Culion is a 3rd class municipality, not a city

LCC is the only school offering college education in Culion

ANESVAD, the funding institution for LLC, contract had expired last May 2009

which led to the closure of the Grade School department and the lack of teachers.


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Discussion on the present situation of LCC. Earl Toribio of ADZU, President of El Consejo

Atenista, talks about how he does not see LCC as a member school of Buklod at the moment

given its present difficulties.

The sources of their report are the LCC Official Website, Ms. Lyra Versoza, a

psychologist who went through a field exposure in Culion, and a student-leader from

Culion who wished for his identity to be kept confidential.

Primarily, the concern of the body was whether or not LCC should be given a slot inthe Buklod Atenista to be part of the alliance, being one of the Jesuit tertiary schools

in the Philippines, given its present situation as an institution. However, ADNU raised

that the concern is just secondary to a more urgent concern which is addressing the

needs and difficulties of our sister school LCC.

Then, the body concentrated on finding ways on how Buklod, as an alliance, can be

of help to its sister school, LCC. However with these, Buklod has recognized the

following difficulties in the alliances end:

Lack of financial resources Lack of first-hand information about Culion Difficulty of access to communication with LCC

It was then agreed by the body to lobby for the support of the member schools

respective administrations with its efforts to raise awareness and generate courses of

action in order to help its sister school with its present situation, Loyola College of

Culion. The body also agreed that all member schools will equally share in the

responsibility of making these extensive efforts possible.


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Discussion on Proposed House Bills.

ADMU Sanggu President Dan Remo and

BAPS Secretary General Peter Paras

The last discussion for the day was the discussion on the Externalization efforts of

Buklod Atenista. The need for the discussion arose from the fact that the alliance has

existed for 30 years already but only a few knows of its existence and that

externalization will help the alliance in further implementations of its projects, stands,

and resolutions. Initiated by Cate Sison, outgoing BAPS Secretary General, the bodywas able to think of ways on how Buklod can externalize the alliance like partnership

with other organizations and local government units, branding and heavy promotion of

Buklod activities, use of official Buklod logo and theme song in the conduct of activities,

use of various social media platforms, front lining of Ambassadors in Buklod activities,

among others.

The meeting for the day was then adjourned at exactly 8:40 PM.

| Day 4 May 30, 2013

The first agenda for the day was the continuation on the discussion of proposed

bills that Buklod Atenista could support as an alliance. Of the 6 house bills that were

presented, the following bills, after being thoroughly discussed and voted for by the

majority of the Ambassadors, will be supported by Buklod:

Moro History, Culture and Identity Studies Act Freedom of Information Bill

There was a bill, however, that was labeled for

research, meaning Buklod will not yet make a stand

on the bill until the midyear conference when

thorough research has already been done by the

alliance. The bill was The Peoples Mining Bill.

There was a bill that was labeled for table, meaning

the discussion on the said bill will be postponed until

the midyear conference. The bill was the Prohibition

against Political Dynasty Act.

There was also a bill for monitoring, meaning

Buklod supports the legislation but will monitor its

progress. The bill was the Crowdsourcing Act of

2012.

The next agenda, which was huge part of the day, was dedicated to the discussion,

crafting, presentation, revision, and approval of resolutions to be implemented by

Buklod Atenista as an alliance in the alliance itself; the member schools respective

student governments, universities, and communities and; the nation.


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Crafting of Resolutions. The Ambassadors, together with the BAPS Secretary General, works

in full force for the crafting of resolutions. (L-R): Albert Daba from XU(not facing); Ray Gomez

from ADMU; Renzo Blanco from ADNU; Peter Paras, BAPS Sec-Gen; Ivy Torregosa from ADDU

(not facing), and Rommel Ong from ADZU (not in photo)

The following is the list ofresolutions that were passed and approved by 2/3 vote

of the National Congress consisting of the ambassadors dated May 30, 2013. These

resolutions will be presented to the Supreme Student Government by the ambassador.

RESOLUTIONS AUTHOR/S

A Resolution Calling on Buklod Atenista Member Schools to Support the

Revised Freedom of Information Act of 2012ADZU

A Resolution Calling the Buklod Atenista Member Schools to Monitor the

Senate Bill No. 3300, also known as the Crowdsourcing Act of 2012ADDU

A Resolution to Formally Recognize the Buklod Atenista

Ambassadors for the Year 2013 - 2014

ADMU,

ADNU,

ADZU, XU,

and ADDU

Resolution to Call All Student Governments to Collaborate in Establishing

a Research Unit in their Respective Schools

ADMU

ADNU

A Resolution Calling on the Buklod Atenista Member Schools

to Externalize the Efforts of Buklod Atenista

ADMU,

ADNU,

ADZU, XU,

and ADDU

Internet and Social Networking Sites: Responsible Usage and Protocol to

Address BlockingADDU

A Resolution Mandating Buklod Atenista Member Schools to Disseminate ADZU


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Timetable for First Semester. The timeline was set according to the priority of resolutions to

implement and its corresponding span of implementation.

Information Regarding the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement

A Resolution Institutionalizing the Buklod Atenistas Engagement in the

Local Government through Partnership with the Universitys Social

Involvement Office

XU

A Resolution calling the Student Governments of the five Ateneo

Universities to Invite Loyola College of Culion in the 30th Mid-Year

Buklod Atenista Conference

ADMU,ADNU,

ADZU, XU,

and ADDU

A Resolution on the Inclusion of the Heads of Umbrella Organizations for

Recognized/Accredited Organizations and their Agenda in the Annual

Buklod Atenista Summit

ADMU

A Resolution Calling the Student Governments of the Five Ateneo

Universities to Support House Bill 270 of the 15th Congress also known

as Moro History, Culture and Identity Studies Act

ADDU

A Resolution Encouraging All Student Governments to Lobby For Full-

Disclosure and Transparency in their Respective Schools Finances

ADMU

| Day 5 May 31, 2013

This was the last day of the summit. While the delegates were weary due to lack of

sleep from the previous nights event dubbed as Socials Night which was prepared by

ADZU, still everyone was up and game for the last and final session of Buklod.

The first agenda of the day was timeline setting for the first semester on the

implementation of resolutions and activities of Buklod in the next 12 months. In order to

facilitate this, the body categorized the resolutions into two classifications: according to

priority (high, medium, low) and according to span of implementation (short term andlong term.)

The last activity for the day was the post-processing of the delegates Buklod


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Post-Processing. BAPS Sec-Gen Peter

Paras facilitates the sharing of the

delegates experiences in Buklod.

Passing of BAPS from ADMU to

ADDU

Passing of Hosting Rights from

ADZU to ADDU

experience for the past 5 days. For many, it was an eye opener to them how Buklod is

indeed relevant to the Ateneo schools respective student government, institutions, and

communities.

The delegates were also thankful for the opportunity to serve their institution and the

community through Buklod. Were in high hopes

that we, together as an alliance of the Jesuit

tertiary schools in the Philippines, will be able to

implement all the programs, resolutions, and

activities we have planned for the next school year

in the nations and Gods greater glory.

We are also thankful for the gift of new friendships

and relations with our sister schools. May this

further strengthen our thrust for a better Ateneo, a

better community, and a better Philippines. There

may be challenges ahead, but we take comfortknowing that we have the utmost support of our

sister schools in the months and years to come.

During the closing program of the same

day, the working committee of ADZU paid tribute to the delegates of Buklod, prepared a

program for the delegates, and lead us into looking back at the past 5 days that have

transpired in the summit.

Also, during the program, the passing of BAPS and Buklod Hosting Rights were done.

The BAPS, Buklod Atenista Permanent Secretariat, was passed from ADMU onto ADDU.

For the next 5 years, ADDU will be the BAPS for Buklod. The Buklod hosting rights was

then passed from ADZU onto ADNU. Ateneo de Naga will be hosting the 30 th Midyear

Conference come October 2013 and the 31st Summer Summit come May 2014.


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30th Buklod Official Report

Documents

Transcript of 30th Buklod Official Report