NUSP Panay revived, to lead anti-corruption walkathon

By Juliane Judilla

The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), the country’s broadest alliance of student councils and governments, has officially revived its Panay chapter amid a renewed campaign against corruption and government neglect of education.

The relaunch coincides with preparations for National Students’ Day (NSD), which will feature a mass “Walkathon Against Corruption” uniting students across Panay Island.

The walkathon will begin simultaneously at West Visayas State University (WVSU) and the University of the Philippines Visayas–City Campus, culminating at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on November 17, 2025.

“We, student leaders from different universities and colleges, stand united against corruption and all forms of injustice that hinder genuine development,” NUSP Panay said in a statement.

“As student leaders, we uphold the principles of dignity, accountability, and transparency.”

“Corruption, greed, and self-interest have no place in true leadership and public service,” the group added.

UNDERFUNDING AND LOCAL IMPACTS

NUSP Panay criticized what it called chronic underfunding of the education sector amid recurring reports of misused public funds.

“It is infuriating that while students continue to suffer from overcrowded classrooms, poor facilities, and the lack of learning materials, corrupt politicians plunder public funds to maintain their extravagant lifestyles,” the group stated.

They cited the West Visayas State University (WVSU) external campus in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, where students reportedly attend classes in makeshift rooms due to a lack of infrastructure.

At the WVSU Main Campus in Iloilo City, College of Business and Management students allegedly continue to use deteriorating classrooms prone to flooding during storms.

Aside from poor facilities, the group said budget cuts have forced many state universities and colleges (SUCs) to reduce student admissions.

In the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) 2025, only 17,996 out of 135,236 applicants were accepted, while only about 1,300 to 1,500 out of 10,000 examinees secured slots in the WVSU College Admission Test (WVSUCAT) 2025.

BUDGET GAPS AND FUNDING DISPARITIES

Citing the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP), NUSP Panay pointed to stark differences between proposed and approved budgets for SUCs in Western Visayas.

WVSU proposed PHP 5.23 billion but was allocated only PHP 2.32 billion.

The University of Antique requested PHP 1.30 billion but received PHP 759 million.

Northern Iloilo State University proposed PHP 1.45 billion but got PHP 803 million.

The University of the Philippines System, which also operates the Philippine General Hospital, saw its budget slashed from PHP 46.85 billion to PHP 25.82 billion.

The group contrasted these education cuts with the reported allocation of PHP 118 billion to “anomalous flood control projects,” which it described as “corruption in plain sight.”

 

NATIONAL STUDENTS’ DAY

NUSP Panay denounced the government’s “continued neglect” of its responsibility to ensure accessible and quality education, calling it a “failure to prioritize the youth and the people.”

“As students, we have always been taught that honesty is the best policy,” the group said.

“We demand that the stolen funds be returned to the education sector—to our students, teachers, and universities who need and deserve them most,” it added.

NUSP Panay is calling on students and youth groups to join the Walkathon Against Corruption on November 17 at 1 p.m., marching from WVSU and UP Visayas–City Campus to the Provincial Capitol.

“We will stand firm, speak out, and take collective action for accountability and genuine reform.”

“Let us flood the streets with our united demand for accountability, transparency, and greater budget for education,” the group declared.