During the fourth installation of NEMSUlti: Executive Press Conference at NEMSU Cantilan Audio-Visual Center, Dr. Abundio C. Mirralles, Vice President for Administration and Finance (VPAF); Dr. Maria Lady Sol A. Suazo, Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairperson for Infrastructure; and Dr. Nemesio G. Loayon, University President, address questions from The Craftsman Publication regarding the implementation of infrastructure and development projects of the university amidst the reported cuts to the 2025 budget allocation for state universities and colleges (SUCs) as reflected in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Dr. Miralles calls on the campuses to help the university in highlighting and identifying issues by empowering the grassroots to engage with the decision-making processes of the campuses. “On the top management, I assure you that is the direction of our university right now it's infra, infra, infra,” the VPAF elucidates.

Thereafter, Dr. Suazo emphasizes the different strategies for securing funding for the infrastructure projects of the university. “So, there are actually many strategies that we can proceed with. Our infrastructures for the university, we do not only rely on the GAA, we also rely on our savings,” she discusses. Moreover, the VPAA and BAC Chairperson for Infrastructure also commends the campus directors of the different campuses for ‘really strategizing on savings.’ In her statement, she also points out that the infrastructure projects in NEMSU Cantilan Campus come from the accumulated savings as well as the income-generating project (IGP). “Here in Cantilan, many of your buildings and infrastructures are actually coming from your savings appropriation, and apart from that, because you have a very active income-generating project here in Cantilan Campus,” she adds.

As the open forum continues, Dr. Suazo further explains that other resources for infrastructure funding come from IGP and outsourced funds, particularly through research and development initiatives. She highlights that research projects, as long as they align with infrastructure needs, can also serve as a source of funding.

Dr. Loayon, in his closing remarks, emphasizes the importance of networking and collaboration with Philippine government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) to secure additional funding. He expresses confidence in the university’s ability to overcome fiscal challenges, citing the expertise of faculty and the collective effort of the university community. “We welcome opportunities from various government agencies and NGOs to source out funds. Despite the limited fiscal space, we are so confident with the caliber of our key officials, the faculty and your participation in our effort to ensure we can provide the facilities that you need and the quality of education we wanted to deliver to you. Thank you,” PNGL concludes.