The University Supreme Student Council-Baybay launched a survey on September 6 to gather student feedback on the National Service Training Program (NSTP), following the circulation of alleged student welfare concerns involving the Visayas State University Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (VSU-ROTC) online.
Said survey was subsequently circulated through student councils and organization group chats across the university, but has yet to be posted on the USSC-Baybay’s official Facebook page.
Several anonymous accounts shared their experiences in the Facebook group Storya sa Biska on September 5, prompting discussions on student welfare within the program.
USSC-Baybay President Emmanuel Bolano said the survey provides students with a structures channel to document their concerns and experiences.
“We’ve actually received a lot of concerns from students, some through private messages and others through Facebook groups. What we want to avoid is having students who post their concerns in these groups being ridiculed, dismissed, or invalidated,” Bolaño said.
Bolaño further shared that the responses will be consolidated and may form the basis of a report to the appropriate university office aor authority, if necessary.
“This will also allow us to consolidate and properly document the concerns raised, so we can prepare a report based on the collective experiences and concerns of the students and, when appropriate, refer them to the proper university office or authority for appropriate action.”
Meanwhile, a student who requested anonymity, welcomed the survey as a way for students to share their experiences and help the USSC better understand concerns surrounding NSTP.
However, the student also stressed the need to assess submissions objectively.
“Dili malikayan nga naa pud siguro students nga mahimong exaggerated ang ilang maingon, especially if they already have negative feelings toward ROTC.”
Amaranth has also sought statements from the VSU NSTP coordinator, as well as the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and ROTC unit. As of writing, the offices have yet to respond.
This is a developing story.