BLAZE2026 Batch President Joshua Languban of Santugon sa Tawag ng Panahon (Santugon) strives to expand the reach of the Office of the Executive Treasurer (OTREAS) across the student body. Drawing on his past experiences in leadership and finance management, he seeks to create internal change, maximize partnerships, and increase transparency regarding student aid programs.
The LaSallian: You’ve held numerous leadership positions across different organizations, most notably as the BLAZE2026’s batch president. Given the broader scope of OTREAS, what aspect of your leadership experience do you think best equips you for the role?
Languban: I actually started kasi in an operations position back when I was a frosh. So, ‘yun ‘yung one of the things talaga na na-learn ko over time kasi doon ako nag-umpisa, basically—operations, docu (documentation), fin (finance)… Tapos, during the latter part of my frosh year, mas natuto ako SS-wise or student services. Mas na-expose ako sa mga roles na ‘yun as the executive director for tuition fee concerns. So, using those skills… ’yung operations-wise and ‘yung SS-wise, what I want… is to have a more SS-centered na Office of the Executive Treasurer… since nalaman ko na ‘yung processes… ‘yun ‘yung aim ko magamit basically. Over the broad positions that I have had, ‘yung SS and operations to ensure na efficient ‘yung pagso-solve ng concerns ng OTREAS.
The LaSallian: From your perspective, what is the current state of OTREAS? What primary issues or limitations have you noted within the office or in its interactions with other units?
Languban: Ngayon, I believe that OTREAS is doing well naman with regards to handling finances and ‘yung mga grants. Siguro, one aspect lang that we could better [improve on] pa to ensure that we can serve our students better is mas clear timeline of grants… para mas streamlined siya and aware ‘yung students kung ano-ano nga ba ‘yung available na grants ‘yung mayro’n sa kanila. That’s one of the things that I want to focus on as well na mas maayos ‘yung rollout ng mga grants, scholarships, ng stipends to ensure na mas gets ng students in a more clear manner kung ano ‘yung available, kailan available, paano magiging applicable sa kanila…or paano sila magiging qualified for that grant.
The LaSallian: So, it’s like a calendar?
Languban: Calendar na mastersheet in a way na accessible siya sa students [kasi] nandoon na lahat from external, to internal, to what the USG has to offer.
The LaSallian: If elected, what would be your main priorities as executive treasurer? Which existing processes or programs would you immediately continue or reform?
Languban: One of the things na gusto ko i-forward is called “Tulong Aral.” [Ang] goal niya is magbigay pa ng mas specific na grants per sector and to help alleviate ‘yung stress and ‘yung weight and ‘yung process talaga natin sa Finance and Accounting Office… kasi ‘yung promissory notes, before sila ma-approve… kailangan mo muna mag-down payment na depende kung ilang payments ‘yung gagawin mo. So, kunyari if you’re [going to] do four, kailangan at least 36 percent ‘yung ida-down payment mo. And that’s one of the things that I want to focus on if ever elected as executive treasurer. Gusto ko padaliin ‘yung process. Baka may way naman na mas pababain pa natin ‘yung kailangan i-down ng students… or alisin na natin at all ‘yung down payment.
And, aside from that, mas gusto ko rin sana mas maging mas malinis at understandable ‘yung pagli-lift natin ng clearance holds during enlistment. Kasi do’n, maraming students na nadadale lagi, na nakakapag-enlist nga sila, pero hindi naman sila makapag-confirm ng enrollment kasi naka-hold pa sila.
The LaSallian: Tuition fee increases (TFI) continue to be a major problem faced by the Lasallian community. How do you intend to represent and protect student interests regarding this persistent issue? How would you ensure that their voices will continue to not just have a platform in TFI discussions but also be acted upon?
Languban: One of the things na na-notice ko personally during this year’s TFI campaign [is] medyo nawalan ng sense of ownership ‘yung students sa campaign… and ‘yun ‘yung gusto kong maiwasan—by ensuring na sila mismo kasali sila sa discussions natin… One of the ways that we can do this is by ensuring na sumasagot talaga sila ng survey natin. Kasi ‘yon talaga ‘yung tangible data natin na ipaglalaban natin sa administration. One of the key things na pwede nating gawin is pagi-integrate nito sa Canvas. ‘Yung nasa to-do list siya…para talaga makita talaga… Aside from that, looking more to the batch unit side na sila rin mismo…may sarili silang initiative regarding the TFI campaign, para kahit at the grassroots level na mismo, mayro’n tayong mga gumagalaw ng proyekto na galing talaga sa mga batch unit nila. Kasi sila yung pinaka-nakakakilala ng mga batches nila. And that’s one of the things that I want to capitalize on as well, if ever elected as OTREAS, is to collaborate talaga with each grassroot-level unit. Para mas ma-disseminate natin ‘yung information regarding TFI.
The LaSallian: OTREAS already manages several scholarship and financial aid programs. Do you plan to expand or introduce new initiatives under your term? How do you plan to ensure accessibility and transparency in these programs?
Languban: I believe na okay naman ‘yung current lineup natin that we have right now. As I mentioned nga earlier, kailangan lang talaga natin pagbutihin pa ‘yung pag-rollout nito and ‘yung accessibility natin sa students application-wise. And one of the things…is “Tulong Aral”… Makakatulong sana tayo sa pagda-down payment ng fellow students natin para sa promissory notes… Kahit aim namin is bigyan kahit half or, kahit whole nga, nung down payment kasi…kailangan ng 36 percent or less na down payment bago ka makapag-promissory note.
How we can do transparency and accountability sa part ng OTREAS is by ensuring talaga that we check…’yung mga mag-a-apply na kailangan talaga nila ito. And, titingnan din natin kung ano bang applicable na grants na mayro’n ang OTREAS ngayon na pwede pang makatulong sa kanila. It’s really just ensuring na naiintindihan ng students kung ano yung available…para rin accessible sa kanila, transparent, and alam nila…kung ano yung mayro’n sa kanila.
The LaSallian: For clarification, you plan to eliminate the down payment?
Languban: Hindi, aim namin bigyan ng grant. Magbibigay ang OTREAS ng money to the student, para ‘yun ‘yung ipagdo-downpayment nila.
The LaSallian: Many organizations in the University, and past executive treasurers themselves, have also spoken about being challenged by administrative bottlenecks in obtaining funds. With such a systemic issue, how do you plan to address this and mitigate the financial problems faced by other offices in their transactions?
Languban: I think one of the main things that we really need to capitalize on is partnerships… May it be with external bodies, or internal bodies like DLSU PUSO, kailangan talaga natin ma-maximize ‘yung available resources that we can tap into… Marami tayong bottlenecks talaga when it comes to funds, so it’s very important na hindi lang tayo nakadepende on one source of fund. Kailangan ‘yung fundraisers natin that we have, ‘yung mga bazaar, we need to look for ways din to innovate them. Para mas marami tayong makuha for the next upcoming school year.
The LaSallian: Continuing the discussion, do you believe there are other systemic problems within OTREAS that need to be addressed?
Languban: One of the things din na gusto kong i-change about my office is ‘yung siguro pagho-hold ng Treasurer’s Exam. Gusto ko siya gawin na mas streamlined, mas madali maintindihan ng USG officers, ng finance officers, para hindi rin sila mahirapan. Kasi at the end of the day, pag nahihirapan ang finance officers mo, magstra-struggle rin ‘yung OTREAS mismo kasi kami ‘yung magche-check ng mga ‘yon. So, one of the things that I want to do is gawing modular ‘yung OTREAS manual, para mas madali siyang maintindihan din ng mga USG officers natin, and mas madali siya sa pagpro-process ng finance documents.
The LaSallian: Should you be elected, how do you envision the state of the student body at the end of your term from your purview as OTREAS?
Languban: My vision for my office is going beyond limits, providing access [and] dynamic financial opportunities. What I want the students to feel after my term, if ever elected as OTREAS, is hindi lang nakakulong sa bazaar [at] sa grants, ang OTREAS. [Nais kong maisip nila], ‘…pwede rin pala silang gumawa ng policy [at] tumulong sa mga program.’ Para hindi lang tayo naka box sa certain description of what OTREAS is supposed to be.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
