BukSU attends congressional hearings for fiscal year 2026 budget

Bukidnon State University (BukSU), led by University President Dr. Joy M. Mirasol, participated in the series of congressional hearings for the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

On September 23 (Tuesday), BukSU joined the House Committee on Appropriations Pre-Plenary Hearings for the SUCS Mindanao Cluster Pre-Plenary Meeting at Nograles Hall, South Wing Annex of the House of Representatives. Later in the day, the team also attended the Commission on Higher and Technical Education Consultative Meeting in the same venue.

The university also took part in the Plenary Budget Deliberation for all SUCs on September 25 (Thursday) at the Plenary Session Hall of the House of Representatives.

On September 27 (Friday), BukSU virtually attended the Senate Committee on Finance – Subcommittee, a hybrid session which tackled the FY 2026 proposed budget of SUCs. The session was conducted at the Recto-Laurel Room in the Senate of the Philippines.

In line with the hearings, the BukSU delegation also conducted courtesy calls with key legislators to express appreciation for their support of higher education and to provide updates on the university’s recent accomplishments. Among the lawmakers they met were Majority Floor Leader Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Bukidnon 2^nd District Representative Atty: Jonathan Keith T. Flores, and Bukidnon 1^st District Representative Jose Manuel F. Alba.

The BukSU delegation was composed of Mirasol, together with Chief Administrative Officer for the Finance Division Katherin Lou P. Bandas, Budget Officer III Mary Celine L. Alsola, Planning and Development Unit Director Dr. Helen P. Garcia, Satellite Campuses Management Office Director Dr. Albert A. Villanca, and Executive Assistant to the University President Ms. Juliecriz B. Mallari.

Dr. Mirasol expressed gratitude for the continued commitment of Congress to strengthening higher education and supporting SUCs. “We deeply appreciate the efforts our legislators to provide additional support for higher education institutions. Their commitment to address deficiencies and ensure adequate resources for SUCs is vital in enabling us to fulfill our mandate of delivering quality, accessible, and responsive education for our people,” she said.

BukSU’s active participation in the congressional budget hearings and engagement with legislators underscore its commitment to advancing quality and accessible higher education in Northern Mindanao, while ensuring that fiscal resources are aligned with the university’s mandate to deliver instruction, research, extension, and production services for regional and national development. (Ms. Joanne Vivien B. Necosia, Director PMS)