By Nicholai Wong, Undersecretary for Political Affairs, XU-CSG
XU-CSG President Kyle Chester Cotacte shows a copy of the Xavier Ateneo Student Handbook
during his State of the Student Body Address. XU-CSG Department of Communications Management
Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines — Xavier University Central Student Government (CSG) President Kyle Chester Cotacte delivered his first State of the Student Body Address on Saturday, 8 September, during the 2024 General Assembly & Organizational Trip held at the XU Gymnasium.
Before diving into his speech, Cotacte shared personal insights and early experiences as a freshman, recalling moments where student involvement and leadership pushed him and his peers to become the best versions of themselves. He encouraged the student body to engage in the fun and opportunities offered by student organizations in Xavier Ateneo, "Nothing short of truly experiencing excellence." he says.
One of the primary goals of Jesuit education is to foster holistic development, focusing not only on academic excellence but also on social responsibility and moral conviction.
The GREEN Agenda, the heart of the Cotacte-Sudaria administration, was introduced as a five-pronged strategic plan aimed at nurturing student governance and services at Xavier Ateneo.
Highlights of the CSG’s First 100 Days:
Governance for All
The CSG has enhanced its administrative mechanisms by planning and implementing long-term strategies, such as appointing cluster heads to oversee specific categories of student services. Consultations with the university's political parties have also been held regarding amendments to the Magna Carta and participation in CSG's social development initiatives. Cotacte emphasized a vision of unity among political groups, stating, "As long as you have the ‘competence, conscience, and commitment,’ you are welcome to be part of the CSG."
He added, “At the end of the day, there has never been an Alyansang CSG, USAD CSG, or DASIG CSG—it has always been your XU-CSG.”
Reigniting Leadership that Does Justice
The CSG plans to re-establish the Ateneo for Good Governance and Leadership Academy (AGGLA) within the academic year. CSG Department of Leadership and Formation Secretary Thorlee Cipriano has met with community leaders from NGOs and alumni student leaders to ensure smooth implementation of the program.
Expanding and Sustaining Student Aid & Assistance
A major highlight of Cotacte’s address was the presentation of expanded student services and aid. “The primary goal of any student government is to ensure that the welfare of the student body is, and must always be, a priority,” Cotacte said.
The CSG is set to invest ₱42,000 in uniform subsidies for the first semester and an additional ₱20,000 for PE uniforms. The CSG Office of Budget and Management is preparing to extend this subsidy to OJT and SLP Type B uniforms.
The conditional cash transfer program for student-parents will expand from ₱30,000 to ₱50,000, with the CSG Department of Sectoral Representation (DSR), Cluster Head Philip Talaba, and CSG Vice President Janson Sudaria collaborating with the City Social Welfare and Development Office to ensure the program's sustainability. The meal aid allowance program will also be relaunched with an increased investment of ₱150,000.
As a first amongst student governments, XU-CSG has made history by committing to invest ₱50,000 to fund free mental health services for students, given the rising prevalence of mental health concerns. The funds will be used to subsidize mental health prescriptions and medications for students. “Ang kwarta nga gikan sa estudyante, dapat ihatag balik sa estudyante,” Cotacte remarked.
Enhancing the Culture of Sectoral Representation
The CSG has successfully worked with the University administration for the inclusion of the Gender-Inclusive Uniform Policy in the student handbook after nearly three years of lobbying. Cotacte said that “Gone are the days that any trans students have to ask permission from the university and defend their SOGIE para lang maka suot sa ilang preferred uniform. To Louissah, Julian, Kyle, and all my Ka-Langga sa LGBTQIA+ Sector, ANIA NAJOD!”
On the other hand, after almost a decade of lobbying, the University now allows Muslim nursing students to wear hijabs. Cotacte thanked Fatimah Disomimba, whom he considers as the chief lobbyist of the movement, and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mumtaz Dianca for consistently advocating for these rights. “We welcome this development and support from our university President Fr. Mars Tan and all the university administrators that have been allies to this cause. Discrimination based on religious belief ends now!” Cotacte added.
Consultations with the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and the University Athletics Office have allowed student-athletes unrestricted campus access for practice. A list of varsity athletes has been endorsed, eliminating the need for additional supplementary IDs or uniforms.
The DSR will also launch the One GREEN Fund, investing ₱80,000 for the academic year to support sectoral and extracurricular organizations. Furthermore, DILG and DEAN will invest ₱100,000 on a subsidy for co-curricular organizations.
In the coming months, Cotacte, Sudaria, and DSR representatives will meet with various sectors to ensure that the GREEN Agenda continues addressing the needs and concerns of all student groups.
Networks and Advocacies
The CSG Department of Mission and Social Involvement led the Ahon Carina donation drive for communities affected by Super Typhoon Carina. Through the support of seven college councils, the initiative raised ₱26,000 in cash donations.
XU-CSG, a leading student government in Cagayan de Oro and Mindanao, played a pivotal role in the successful promulgation of the city-wide STRAW ordinance and establishment of the STRAW Commission of the Cagayan de Oro City Government—the first of its kind in the Philippines, inspired by XU's Magna Carta for Students.
Additionally, XU-CSG made history by founding the Unyon ng mga Estudyante sa Mindanao (Unyon Mindanao), the premier student government alliance in the region. XU recently handed over Unyon’s leadership to Ateneo de Davao, one of its sister schools. XU now leads the consortium of Ateneo Student Governments after its recent election in Buklod Atenista, with Jomig Gambe (XU BS Psychology - 4) serving as the National Convener.
Embracing the Future with XU-CSG
President Cotacte reaffirmed the Cotacte-Sudaria administration’s commitment to policies that empower and uplift students. Cotacte emphasized that “Policies may just be words on paper, but without action, they remain powerless. It is the commitment to uphold and enforce them that transforms policies into real change, impacting the lives of our constituents and shaping the future.”
He concluded by inviting the student body to "Embrace our future" emphasizing that it is not only a branding for the administration, but a collective effort to move beyond complacency and inaction, ensuring that student voices are central to governance.
Cotacte closed his speech by quoting former CSG President Edison Lacea: “Alone, we can do so little. For you, we can do much. But with you, we can do so much more.”