Graphics by Uriel Astorga
Equipping with knowledge in enhancing finances and project proposals development, student leaders and advisers from various program-based organizations of Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) – Main Campus attended a Financial Literacy and Extension Seminar Workshop, held at the Graduate School Function Hall on Friday, October 9.
Organized by the Supreme Student Government (SSG), the seminar featured discussions titled “Financial Literacy for Student Leaders and Advisers” and “Extension Engagement – From Community Needs to Meaningful and Sustainable Action,” providing essential guidance, mentoring, and actionable strategies for sustainable project implementation.
Dr. Jeremy Ragot, Department Head of the Bachelor Science in Accountancy (BSA), and SSG Adviser, detailed proper fund management in the first session by discussing financial planning, identifying funding resources, and calculating monetary value of counterpart contributions when preparing project budgets.
Moreover, Extension Services Director, Dr. Rustom Clemente elaborated the process of making project proposals, the role of advisers, and the importance of building partnerships to support long-term community development.
Dr. Clemente also discussced how extension projects must directly respond to community needs and align with the proponents’ fields of expertise, while requiring proper documentation, community invitations, necessary certifications, and accreditation check prior to implementation.
In an interview, the Student Affairs Office Head Dr. Eliditha Easter Gervacio underscored that the administration expects student leaders will gain a clearer understanding of properly managing their resources through the seminar.
“The activity was about financial literacy, so, somehow we are expecting, because [these are] student organizations, mabaro hira pag-fund han ira organization,” Dr. Gervacio noted.
Following the sessions, the event continued with a hands-on workshop activity where various organizations from different programs were grouped by school to create community-oriented project proposals aligned in their academic fields.
Participants were also guided in developing a results chain consisting of inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact as a foundation for creating focused, one-year project proposals.
Meanwhile, SSG President Christine Jane Gere underscored the importance of active student leadership in identifying local community needs and developing impactful project proposals that create meaningful, sustainable change beyond the campus.
“We need to know the detailed process of making community-oriented project proposals because our responsibility is not just to represent students, but also to create projects that can make a real difference in the community. We need to understand how to identify the needs of the people, set clear objectives, plan activities, manage the budget, and make sure that the project will be effective and beneficial,” she said.
Moreover, SSG Vice-President Cedrick Jorge Porta further added that they see several organizations struggle with fund management and face difficulties when financial records do not align during liquidations or balance checks, highlighting the need for student organizations to learn the proper process for handling their finances.
“Maraming organization who are struggling on handling their finances especially when it comes to liquidation or checking the balance, minsan ay hindi tugma sa fund nila at doon sila mas nahihirapan. So, nakita namin that every organization need to know the right process in managing their [finances],” he pointed out.
The whole-day program concluded with an open forum and a synthesis of key discussions, reaffirming student leaders’ commitment to practicing financial accountability and community-centered leadership in their respective organizations.
Article by Niña Mae Marañon & Mark Abrantes