Convening students in sweeping news, the first semester General Assembly held on Friday, August 15, at the University Gymnasium spotlighted crucial reforms and accomplishments of the Kataas-taasang Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral (KASAMA) as well as had this year’s Mx. IIT Influencers share the fruits of their projects that came along with their crown.
Outgoing KASAMA President RJ Castillon, in his presentation of the council’s accomplishment report, shared that the Chancellor has given approval to the 2025 Constitution and By-Laws (CBL) of KASAMA, pending ratification through a plebiscite.
Salient changes in the CBL introduced revamped standing committees, including the new IDEA (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Committee. Moreover, the creation of separate articles for the Council of Organizations (COO) and the Council of Vice Governors (CVG) is also an evident amendment in the CBL.
For financial accountability, every council will now be required to maintain its own independent Commission on Audit with clear qualifications, structures, and reporting mandates.
Stricter guidelines on budget withdrawals have also been articulated, requiring a formal resolution, the approval of both the highest officer and the finance officer, and complete supporting documents before release. All liquidation reports are to be submitted to the Office of Student Development Services (OSDS).
Castillon also showed all attendees the repository of resolutions and reports in the council in their bid for transparency. Such a significant archive is prompted by the Full Disclosure policy they have institutionalized.
“The challenge now for the future leaders sa societies to KASAMA is to make that vote [for the plebiscite], and please, do better. Kana jod, as public officials, and to every IITian—you are the reason ngano naa ang mga reforms nga gipangbuhat nato. You are the reason [why] we endured the challenges, the critics, and all—it was all worth it kay naa tay ginabarugan. And you are the reason why KASAMA exists,” Castillon reminded the student body in his final message as the President.
Meanwhile, Mx. IIT Influencer 2025 Jhon Dave Manos, Mx. IIT 2025 Charity Faith Izzy Bengil, and Mx. IIT Goodwill 2025 Dominique Anne Cominguez each took center stage to share the progress of the initiatives they have carried out.
Cominguez, as the Mx. IIT Goodwill zeroed in on her project ‘EmpowHER’—empowering women in the field of technology—which endeavored to open doors of opportunity for an inclusive tech industry. Through EmpowHER, they have pushed for outreach programs and workshops on machine learning and entrepreneurship.
On the other hand, Mx. Benguil, with her Project ‘CAT-ON’, took up the cudgels for an accessible, quality education through outreach programs such as in Bungawan Elementary School in collaboration with the City Government of Iligan.
Lastly, the College of Arts and Social Sciences’ (CASS) very own Mx. IIT Influencer 2025, Jhon Dave Manos, breathed life into his advocacy through initiatives that have become a benchmark of possibility in championing indigenous peoples (IP) rights and welfare. As the co-founder and the incumbent President of the first IP-centered organization, he streamlined all projects through the MSU-IIT Indigenous Peoples Student Advocates (MIPSA) in activities such as resource training, annual expo partnerships, webinars, vodcasts, forums, discussions, and outreach programs.
One of his widely known projects includes Project Buliga, bringing SASE tutorials to disadvantaged demographics. Mx. Manos also expressed that some beneficiaries of the said projects have recently been admitted to the university.
Welcoming Developments
Edriane Shane Casipong, the MSU System Student Regent, also graced the event to introduce the Federation of Mindanao State University Supreme Student Councils (FEMSUSSCO).
Casipong proudly disclosed the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) response to the federation’s call for the creation of a national policy on red tagging.
On the other hand, the Honorable Student Regent also urged students to remain vigilant in scrutinizing policies that affect their welfare. He cited the removal of practicum from the computation of the CGPA through a shift from numerical to letter grading.
According to Casipong, the approved proposal lacked sufficient consultation and must be questioned on its merits—a stance the council asserted in their dissenting position papers.
With the stage set for the Academic Year 2025-2026, general assemblies like this offer a participatory space for every student to safeguard their rights and shape the very environment that would nurture them for years.
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