by Denise Joy Nicolas | @nicolasden_TRL
November 29, 2022
On the days that free education was becoming a privilege, students were at the mercy of limited slots and a failing system that proved to be a challenge for these aspiring BulSUans.
Aspiring BulSU students lining up despite the heat to submit their application requirements. | 📷 Danica Marie Salvatierra (@danica_TRL), TalariaLink
The ongoing Bulacan State University Admission for A.Y. 2023-2024 was plagued with accusations of alleged "backer system" that tainted the integrity of the process along with other same old issues that remain unsolved.
With the admissions office officially opened its doors for incoming freshmen applicants last October 17, it also marked the introduction of new guidelines and procedure on online application.
A new system that was troubled with claims of corrupt practices in the process surely did not help the struggling applicants that were vying for already scarce spots.
When asked about the alleged accusations, some applicants were not aware of the said issues and instead shared their difficulties during their applications, one of them said he went early but the queue line was already long.
Shaun Matthew, 17, from Guiguinto, Bulacan shares his thoughts and experiences on the application process. | 📷 Danica Marie Salvatierra (@danica_TRL), TalariaLink
"Kanina pa akong 8am dito pero 'yung pila mahaba na." said the 17-year-old Matthew from Guiguinto, Bulacan.
Along the struggle of waiting for his turn, he also lamented that he had to endure hunger while queuing.
Samantha De Guzman, shares her minor difficulty while accessing the portal. | 📷 Danica Marie Salvatierra (@danica_TRL), TalariaLink
Another applicant, Samantha De Guzman shared her experience, "Yung nag-uupload po ako ng picture [sa portal], 'pag bumabalik po ako nawawala yung picture."
Aside from that, her overall application process has been generally smooth sailing so far.
Applicant Tony Ann Gelisha tells her observed shortcoming of the university and difficulty during application. | 📷 Danica Marie Salvatierra (@danica_TRL), TalariaLink
However, Tony Ann Gelisha says otherwise, she recounted errors on the portal she experienced during online application.
Also, she opened up hearing the alleged "backer system" surrounding the process of application. A common gossip on the lines of students with some even asking other applicants explicitly if they had a "backer" inside.
"Yung mga may backers, yung tawag dito… yung mga pinaprioritize kasi may mga backers, ganun," she said.
SG Pres. Camus elaborates the backer system in BulSU. | 📷 Danica Marie Salvatierra (@danica_TRL), TalariaLink
Confirming the problem did exists, SG President Patricia Camus exclusively told TalariaLink that although it is without definitive proof, she can attest that the issue is prevalent. However, the head of the student body does not believe that the backer system is not the one that should be focused on.
"Ang pinakaproblema dito ay 'yung kakulangan sa slots na may dahilan kung bakit nauuwi sa pagpapa-backer itong mga estudyanteng ito. Marami naman kasi talaga na, kumabaga maraming pasado, maraming kaya na makapasok. However, kahit pasado ka hindi automatic na makakapasok ka dahil kulang ang slots," Pres. Camus said.
She continued to elaborate that the main reason why BulSU had the problem is because of lack of proper allocation to support free education for all and for every child dreaming to be a BulSUan. Adding that in the last admissions, only 11,000 out of 35,000 applicants managed to secure their right to free tertiary education.
President Camus revealed that she was setting her sights to form an alliance with other State University and Colleges (SUCs) to call for more funding.
"Ongoing 'yung 'pag reach out sa kanila, at mayroong kami kasamang tumindig para taasan 'yung budget sa education. Mayroon ding aksiyon ang konseho, sadyang mas kailangan lang natin na mas palakasin ang ating boses dahil kung iisang university lang, talagang hindi pinapakinggan."
"Mas magiging effective siya, once na makikipag alliance tayo with other universities sa panawagan na taasan pa ang pondo natin," she added.
Lastly, she mentioned that for now, as the Student Regent, she is strongly leading a lobby to extend the application period beyond December 17.
It is a sad reality that students are to settle to underhanded practices just to secure a space to be educated, which is ironically rightfully theirs, that should not be treated as a privilege.
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