HAU – University Student Council (HAU-USC) President Adonis Cayanan has forwarded four legislative priorities to the HAU Student Government (HAUSG) Senate, centering on women’s health, gender inclusivity, and campus safety, as announced on June 8.
In a press release, the USC stated that the proposals aim to “uphold the rights and welfare of Angelites” and to establish a “progressive and student-centered direction for the council’s term.”
At the top of the council president’s agenda is the Menstrual Health Act, which proposes academic accommodations such as excused absences and deadline extensions for students experiencing severe menstrual cramps or related health issues. The act also proposes that a comprehensive manual shall be made by the Senate, outlining the criteria for valid menstrual-related absences — covering documentation, usage limits, and communication protocols with faculty.
Complementing this is the Free Sanitary Products Act, which calls for the provision of free access to feminine hygiene products in all student council offices, supported by council funds and donation drives.
Cayanan acknowledged past challenges in distributing sanitary items due to limited restroom access and budget constraints. To address these, the USC proposed delegating responsibilities — such as inventory management, shortage reporting, and misuse prevention — to the college student councils (CSCs).
“While no external partnerships have been explored yet due to the early stage of this proposal, we remain open to collaborating with NGOs, alumni, and corporate sponsors in the future to ensure its long-term success,” he added.
A university-wide Gender and Development (GAD) Committee was also proposed by the USC president in order to address issues related to gender equality, inclusivity, and sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).
Programs such as gender-sensitivity training, anti-discrimination workshops, and campus-wide awareness campaigns would be spearheaded by the GAD Committee in collaboration with the university’s guidance office, student affairs, and other university offices. The GAD Committee also aims to craft university policies aligned with national gender development frameworks.
The fourth and final proposal is the Emergency Response Training Act, which mandates at least eight hours of certified first aid and safety training for all student leaders — mirroring the national government’s Mandatory Eight-Hour Safety and Health (MASH) Seminar.
“By proposing a similar requirement for student leaders, we hope to equip them with essential knowledge and skills for emergency response and risk management,” the USC president said.
To recall, although similar bills were introduced during the previous USC and CSC terms, none advanced to the third and final reading in the First Congress.
“This is precisely why we are prioritizing early coordination and submission of priority subjects to help the Senate initiate deliberations as soon as possible,” Cayanan stated.
Meanwhile, the Second Congress, led by Senate President Malthine Valiente, held its first session on June 12 and began drafting priority bills. The deadline for the USC and CSCs to submit their proposed legislation for Senate review is set for June 16, with the next session scheduled for July 5.
Valiente shared that the Senate aims to formally pass its priority bills and forward them to the USC president before the first half of the semester ends.
