𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐒 𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐈𝐆-𝐥𝐮𝐲𝐚: 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐒 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀.𝐘. 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑-𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

“𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙨 𝘾𝙡𝙪𝙗 – 𝘾𝙈𝙐 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙪𝙨”.

On May 2, 2024, the above text was posted by a student from Central Mindanao University (CMU). It quickly gained attention from several social media users, prompting many to ask what had happened in relation to the SIGLAKAS Club.

SIGLAKAS is a student organization within CMU in which several students taking the course Physical Education (PE) are part of. It is made up of the main SIGLAKAS officers and the elected representatives from each class. The main officers are responsible for organizing PE activities, while the class reps are tasked with disseminating announcements and collection of SIGLAKAS-related fees within their respective sections. However, what should have been a respectable organization have recently become infamous due to several issues circulating concerning the org. 

Just recently, several class representatives were left dismayed when they were informed very belatedly that a SIGLAKAS Executive Assembly would be held. The assembly was said to supposedly happen last April 30, 2024, but conflicts caused the activity to be delayed. The class representatives expressed that they could not possibly attend because they had already gone home and it would be a hassle to go back to the campus just to attend the meeting. Going back would be a waste of fare and an unnecessary cut to the students’ allowances, as well as a disruption to those who already had prior commitments. Moreover, most of the reps were not informed that there would be an assembly prior to the activity. The announcement was only made on the scheduled date and time of the activity, hence why so many could not make it. This drawback is a subtle indication of the club’s flawed communication strategies.  Last-minute announcements and inconsistent use of platforms like Facebook and Messenger contribute to widespread confusion among members. 

However, the officers’ failure to inform their constituents about the assembly is not the only reason for the class reps’ growing dissatisfaction with the organization and its officers. The club, designed to empower students through physical education, faces frustration among its members due to glaring organizational shortcomings. The university-wide student organization—representing thousands of freshmen and sophomore students—seems to be failing to uphold basic standards of transparency and responsibility, leaving students disgruntled rather than fulfilled.

Another issue that the current SIGLAKAS officers face is their lack of transparency. During the first executive assembly for the second semester of the 2023-2024 academic year, when asked about the transparency report from the previous semester, the council failed to do so, claiming that such data was “confidential”. This raised red flags because without clear financial transparency, students would be left in the dark about where their payments were allocated. Students taking up PE classes were required to pay the SIGLAKAS fee for each semester, which was Php 75 per sem. 

While the said fee might seem trivial to some, it can mean a full meal for others. Furthermore, the org itself claimed to have about 8,000 members, which would then mean that the collected fees would amount to approximately Php 600,000. Hence, it’s imperative to have a clear and organized financial report. Collecting such a significant sum would not be a problem so long as there is a clear presentation of how the funds are being utilized.

Moreover, there were also several concerns among the students regarding the PE day, which is the org’s annual major event. The PE day, originally scheduled to take place last April 15, 2024, was moved to April 17, 2024, and again on April 19, 2024. The constant change was not only a nuisance, but was also an indication of the org committees’ indecisiveness and inability to plan for the event. The PE day, an event which is practically tradition within the org as well as in CMU, should have already been planned out and prepared for long before the scheduled date of the activity. That way, inconveniences and confusion in relation to the activity could have been avoided. 

Furthermore, there were also concerns circulating around a certain team during the PE day. The heads of the team were not able to provide decent snacks for its players and other constituents. There were also no meals for the players, after all their efforts to represent their team. Costumes and props of the Saludo participants were also underwhelming. One of their members, who represented the team in the Swimming competition, revealed that he and his teammates had to use their own money to pay for the university pool pass. The aforementioned blunders are very questionable and sketchy, considering that the team’s budget is about Php 70 000. This budget should have been more than enough to cover for all the needed expenses for the team. And while the team recently presented a liquidation report, several eagle-eyed students noticed inconsistencies regarding the expenses, leading them to have more questions than answers as to where the money was really spent on. 

In addition to the SIGLAKAS’ growing issues, many students have also been wondering as to why the PE Day was slotted ahead of the general assembly wherein in fact, the assembly is crucial for students to receive vital updates such as the last semester’s liquidation, transparency report, budgetary allocation, and the second semester’s activity calendar. But disappointing as it may be, there has been no guarantee that the said assembly will proceed, especially that the final term examination week is coming. 

Additionally, financial integrity and leadership responsibilities are paramount in any student-led organization, yet the SIGLAKAS Club’s executive committee appears to be shirking its duties. Absences of key officers, including the chairperson and treasurer, from critical meetings only exacerbate concerns about the club’s leadership. Thus, other members of the council who really work hard behind the curtains are affected because of the SIGLAKAS executive committee’s incompetence.

Dear ghost council members, your role carries a weighty responsibility, one that cannot be taken lightly. The trust placed in you by the student body demands accountability and diligence. Failure to fulfill your duties not only undermines the club’s credibility but also reflects poorly on student leadership as a whole.

Student leaders, remember your purpose. Leadership is not a pursuit of fame but a commitment to serving the student community with integrity and dedication. Your actions shape the experiences of your peers; strive to be a beacon of accountability and transparency.

Lastly, students, it’s imperative that you exercise critical judgment in selecting your leaders. Opt for individuals who genuinely prioritize the student body over personal gain. Elect those who demonstrate a clear commitment to serving and advocating for your interests. Choose leaders who choose you, who are dedicated to advancing the collective welfare of the student community. And if your selected leaders prove to be irresponsible and incompetent in their duties, never be afraid to be critical and outspoken when it comes to their misdeeds.

The SIGLAKAS Club’s leadership crisis underscores the urgent need for reform within student organizations. Students deserve a leadership that prioritizes their interests, communicates effectively, and upholds the highest standards of accountability. It is time for the SIGLAKAS Club to heed the calls for change and restore trust among its members, because without the proper changes, the organization may very well be falling in the throes of corruption and grave misconduct.

𝘖𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘺: 𝘒𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘪 𝘝𝘢𝘩𝘯 𝘓𝘦𝘦

𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘣𝘺: 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘢𝘻𝘢𝘳 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘸