With the recent increase in SAMAHAN fee and the accumulation of 8,891 enrolled students, the Office of the SAMAHAN Treasurer (OST) assumed a total budget of P1,778,200 for the first semester of the academic year 2025-2026.

Despite having no forwarding balance from the last semester, the doubling of the SAMAHAN fee from P100 to P200 saw great allocation of budget to 6 different portions. 

Similar to last year, the university-wide events were given top priority, receiving P514,683, followed by Offices and Departments with P481,730, and the Clusters with P444,550.

New budget allocations were introduced this year for Buklod Atenista with P250,000 and Unyon Mindanao with P42,782. The Council of Class Presidents (CCP) maintained its allocation of P44,455. 

SAMAHAN Treasurer Mickyla Loriene Almadin explained the system of budget allocation, particularly in relation to the huge cuts in budget proposals submitted by some departments.

“There’s still a weighing if it’s [proposed activities] realistic or not, or if it’s doable or not for the SAMAHAN and their departments.”

Almadin also stressed the importance of submitting justifiable budget proposals, underscoring that it should echo the purpose of their departments.

“I think, again, that’s for the focus on who are they really serving for, and what are they doing in their departments. Their budget reflects on what they do, so it does not align if they allocate expenses that does not align with that,” she added.

The large sums for each portion also raised concern from SAMAHAN Vice President Judge Hinojales, requesting for a more mechanized system for instances of budget reallocation.

“Kung unsa ang naa sa budget proposal, kato lang jud ang pag-gastosan… I think it’s also dishonest na iba yung gigawa natin compared to what’s written on the budget proposal; not only dishonest to ourselves but also to the student body,” he stated.

Almadin then acknowledged Hinojales’ concern, accentuating the need to revisit the current fiscal policy with the Commission on Audit (COA).

“We will discuss with COA if there’s necessary action on asking for reallocation or resubmission of budget proposal, or if that reallocated budget will be returned to the OST,” she said.

“Given that changes, we have to re-evaluate the fiscal policy because before we push through a mechanism, we always have to go back to our fiscal policy.”

She also noted their procedures for the first semester to fully implement the mechanism in the second half of the academic year.  

“What we can do right now for the first semester to really uphold the transparency and commitment to proper disbursement of funds, that would be for everyone who has the allocated amount to submit a letter with clarification that there’s a reallocation of the budget.”

Hinojales further asserted how this step is necessary for aligning with good governance principles. 

“I think transparency and accountability cannot wait, so importante na we make our best efforts to practice it now.”

The 1st Semester Budget Hearing was held on July 30, at F710, Finster Building, Ateneo de Davao University.