There are 20 student organizations in Foundation University under the umbrella of the Student Government whose elected officers this Academic Year 2011-2012 are: Robbie Austen M. Vailoces, president; Michael John Sola, vice president; Ruth Lea Pinili, Executive Secretary; Cristine Mae Deam, PRO; Nico Jay Herera, Treasurer; Juius Jay Dayoc, business manager; and the Board of Directors are: Jonape Cabug, Margie Petolan, Von Bryan Bacang, Stephanie Ong, Raymark Atnthony Saloria, Rutchel Patula, Sheila Marie Legarde, Carlo Patoc, Allan Hadormeo, Prelinor Encoy, Rocky Ronato, Frencel Manzano and Annie Rose Darong.
Last Tuesday, March 22, these student leaders discussed the various programs, projects and activities which they will undertake in partnership with other student organizations of schools and academic institutions in University Town:
1. Adopt Dr. Miciano Road — to transform the residences and business establishments along the Dr. Miciano Road adjacent to the University, into a model community by partnering with the City Task Force Action Group Advocating Rapid Reform (SAGARR) in ensuring the observance of ordinances covering such concerns as (a) boarding and lodging facilities, (b) stray dogs, (c) food sanitation, (d) ISWM, (e) curfew and truancy, (f) vagrancy, (g) smoking, (h), traffic control, (i) cyberspace, (j) billiards and pools, and other related matters.
2. Balik Banica – residents of Purok Santan have reverted back to their old ways of throwing their trash in the vicinity of the River and there is a need to go back to care for the part of the Banica River that the University adopted in 2006. Other schools will also be encouraged to adopt portions of the river.
3. Rice is Life – to sustain the twin mission of the program: (a) promote rice conservation, and (b) to inculcate the spirit of sharing and caring for others in the “share a cup of rice” campaign.
4. Adopt the Rizal Boulevard — to campaign for the issuance of Ordinances that will (a) ban motor vehicles from entering the Blvd on Sundays and holidays from 5;00am-10am so that the area can be utilized for wellness and physical activity as well as tourism-related activities; (b) ban firecrackers and fireworks in the vicinity of the bayfront; and (c) ban billboards in the area because there is a close relationship between tourism and the banning of billboards.
5. “Return the Streets and Roads to the People” – (a) to campaign for the passage of a City Ordinance to ban or minimize/control entry of motor vehicles in the downtown area such Perdices and Real streets; (b) enactment of a Provincial Ordinance providing for walking/pedestrian lanes and bicycle paths within a radius of 10k from Dumaguete to make walking and biking possible to and from the municipalities and barangays in Sibulan (5.5km), Valencia (7.5km), and Bacong (8km). Such ordinances will promote a walking culture in our locality to counteract the health-risks and environmental hazards of being the “motorcycle capital” of the Philippines.
6. Convince Businessman Julio Sy, Jr. to fast track the construction of Dumaguete Business Park, Inc. planned Baywalk that will connect the DBPI to the Rizal Blvd, by suggesting that if the Baywalk will integrate the concept of the Road Revolution (30% pedestrian lane, 30%b bike lane, 30% motor vehicle, and 10% for edible gardening), this could be considered a tax shield, a legal provision in the Local Government Code (RA 6160) which authorizes LGUs to provide tax incentives. The Student Government officers will attempt to convince Mr. Sy that FU CWTS, and those of other schools will adopt the 10% edible garden project of the plan.
7. QUARTER MARATHON WELLNESS WALK – to sustain and support the objective of this program which is to encourage the inclusion in the physical education program of schools and academic institutions in UniTown of a quarter-marathon walk to counteract the growing incidence of obesity among students in school and the fact that more than one-third (34.45%) of Filipinos today are overweight. Obesity is the precursor to lifestyle diseases such as cancer, diabeters, repiratory and heart diseases.
FU political science instructor, Kriss Tubog, adviser of the student government, is mobilizing the participation not only of the FU student government but those of other schools and institutions in undertaking those projects which could best be addressed by concerned local goverment officials if more young people are involved.