₱200K BUDGET APPROVED, ALLOCATION CONCERNS RAISE CHALLENGES FOR COCIANS

The PUP College of Communication (COC) is facing a budgetary deficit despite having an approved budget of more than ₱200,000 for the fiscal year 2026, the COC Student Council revealed in a resolution released on January 2.

Under Resolution No. 008, Series of Academic Year 2025-2026, the College of Communication Student Council (COC SC) finalized its Bill of Appropriations for fiscal year 2026, amounting to ₱233,567. The resolution certifies the completion of budget planning and outlines how the funds will be distributed across programs, events, and organizational needs.

In an interview with COC SC President Alvin Aligam and Treasurer Desiree Rendon, they confirmed that although the budget for this fiscal year was approved, the amount that can actually be used by the college is much smaller. Aligam explained that half of the budget goes to the Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral (SKM) and five percent to the Office of the Student Regent (OSR), leaving about ₱150,000 for COC events and projects. 

Rendon also added that this year’s budget is slightly higher due to unused funds carried over from previous years. However, she added that future allocations may be smaller once these extra funds are gone. Both officers also noted that the use of funds still required approval from the Central Student Council (CSC) and the PUP Budget Services Office, which limits how quickly the money can be spent. 

Financial Distribution

The Program of Receipts and Expenditures (PRE) attached to the resolution details how the student council and the organizations in the college distribute the budget that will be allocated for various campus activities.

Nearly 60.68% of the total budget will go to events mandated by the PUP COC SC, with the COC Freshmen Fest for the incoming academic year receiving the largest share of ₱60,550. Other allocations, including the contingency fund, make up 3.93% of the total budget.

Advertising and Public Relations Organization of Students (ADPROS), one of the organizations that was included in the allocation, received the highest budget of ₱14,928 for upcoming events such as the Mx. BAPR pageant and the Art Fair. Meanwhile, The Communicator, the official student publication of the college, was granted ₱11,088 to fund its three-day event “DAKOMPASS 2026.”

Constraints and Pressure

Despite the council securing an approved budget, it remains far from enough to sustain all activities and partnerships. As a state university where all facilities are expected to be free for use, students face the opposite reality as they are required to pay venue and electricity fees to conduct various events and activities. 

Venue rentals and electricity fees accounted for 41.14% of the approved budget, compelling the council to prioritize payments for facilities and utilities that were originally intended to be free of use, at the expense of other program needs.

“May mga pagkakataon na nagbawas talaga kami, nag-iba ng venue, tinanggal ang foods, kasi ang pinaka mahal talaga na expenses is yung food,” President Aligam explained. He noted that while the budget may look substantial, it quickly becomes insufficient once applied to a single major production.

The council also faces pressure from COC students, who are trained in production and often critical of event quality. Another challenge is the lack of basic supplies such as printers and chairs, which forces organizations to borrow from the Facility Management Office (FAMO). Transparency has added another layer of pressure, as fund records were released publicly for the first time, prompting students to closely examine how the money was used.

Deliberation Process

An online Town Hall Consultation was conducted by the COC SC from December 9-13. Local and traditional organizations were informed about the formalization of fund distribution and the proper utilization of Student Council funds.

Out of more than 20 organizations inside the COC, only five organizations that participated in the Town Hall Consultation were included in the council’s PRE for the current fiscal year, which was labeled as a partnership. Each organization was given sufficient time to conduct internal assessments to be discussed in the consultation. 

Although these partnerships were officially recognized through a resolution, council officials clarified that collaboration is not limited to the five organizations listed. They emphasized that the council remains open to future partnerships with other groups. 

“Hindi naman ibig sabihin na may resolution tayo na may limang partnership ay hindi na tayo makikipag-partner. Talagang open pa rin naman yung door ng COC-SC,” Aligam emphasized.

President Aligam also added that logistical support extended to organizations by waiving venue and electricity fees is only a “bare minimum,” stressing that additional forms of assistance are necessary to ensure the success of their activities.

Funding Alternatives and Support

To address these challenges, the council has prepared several strategies to ensure events can still push through despite limited funds. Fundraising activities remain a key option, including selling merchandise, seeking donations, and working with sponsors. One notable event was the COC Freshman Fest, where merchandise sales and sponsor partnerships helped cover expenses and sustain the program. This showed that such initiatives can effectively support student activities even with limited resources. Partnerships with other student councils and brands also provide additional support, helping to cover costs that the budget cannot sustain. 

An amount of ₱7,000 contingency fund has been set aside to handle unexpected expenses, such as venue rentals or technical requirements. This safety net allows the council to respond quickly when costs rise beyond initial estimates.

Partnered Up

To promote a culture of collaboration, the council launched the “Partnered Up” initiative, designed to assist COC organizations with event and program logistics. The project provides practical support, such as covering venue and electricity costs for organizations that reach out for help.

Despite budget limitations that require adjustments, the initiative continues to offer assistance to local organizations. “Kaya nagkaroon tayo ng adjustments sa tagal, specific peso allocation, at actions para maituloy pa rin natin ang pagtulong sa logistical matters ng organizations, at the same time pasok pa rin siya sa budget constraints,” Treasurer Rendon stated.

The initiative will be implemented solely for local and traditional organizations under the College of Communication and is expected to take effect within the current academic year.

The release of the budget for this fiscal year shows the College of Communication Student Council’s effort to be transparent and accountable. Despite limits on funds, the council has worked through consultations, careful planning, and initiatives to support student activities. This highlights the importance of balancing financial responsibility and organizational support, while also teaching student leaders that effective governance involves adaptability, creativity, and initiative in managing limited resources, setting an example of responsible student leadership at PUP. 

To read the full resolution, you may visit this link:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14T7ch2khDc/

Article: Samuel Eneluna and Janelle Dimalaluan

Graphics: Aldreich Pascual