Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering – Department of Civil Engineering

PICE/ACES BATSTATEU
COMMITTEE TO: ALL CONCERNED
AY 2022-2023

SUBJECT: OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE UNIVERSITY’S DECISION TO

JOSHUA ONIN P. OLIVENZA RETAIN THE EXISTING DRESS CODE OF THE STUDENTS
PRESIDENT

GIAN CARLO D. MENDOZA DATE: APRIL 18, 2023

VICE PRESIDENT FOR INTERNAL
AFFAIRS

JOMARDEL J. CONSTANTINO The current decision of the President's Advisory Council of Batangas State
VICE PRESIDENT FOR EXTERNAL
AFFAIRS University on retaining the existing dress code policies has recently gained a lot of
attention in the past few days. With this regard, the organization has gathered the
DANICA LENITTE D. TENORIO thoughts and opinions of the CE students under our scope.
GENERAL SECRETARY

JORN XYRONN L. JAVIER First Year:

ASSISTANT SECRETARY
We firmly believe that the current dress code policy of the University limits the
HANNAH CIANDREA D. RUTAQUIO self-expression of the students. This creates a sense of discomfort and unfairness to
TREASURER those whose freedom of choice was limited in conforming to the implemented dress
code. We also firmly believe that the prohibitions of LGBTQIA+ community with the
CHRISTIAN JAMES C. AJEDA
AUDITOR current dress code also hinder them from displaying their true identity and the best
versions of themselves, eventually. And, this should be changed. Everyone should be
ALLEN DAVE E. MALICSI free to express themselves and their gender identity through their clothing without
SENIOR LIAISON
fear of discrimination or harassment. This can be achieved by establishing clear
RENMARK D. MARTINEZ policies and guidelines. Instead of that outdated policy, the University should focus
JUNIOR LIAISON on promoting a respectful and inclusive environment for all its members. Like art,
the way we dress, do our hair and makeup, and wear jewelry is a form of self-
ARIES B. IGNACIO
SOPHOMORE LIAISON expression. In a progressive environment, we hope the University is true to its goals
of transforming lives and building the nation. Be inclusive, accept change.
GENE ANN K. MACALALAD
FRESHMEN LIAISON
Second Year:
MARY ANDREY M. MADEJA Schools should be a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless
BUSINESS MANAGER of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The prohibitions in the current dress
code create an unwelcoming environment for the LGBTQIA+ students, potentially
PATRICK CARLO B. AQUINO
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER leading to feelings of isolation, shame, or harassment. It is important for universities
to recognize these potential issues and work towards creating inclusive and
ANGELA SAMUELLE G. REYES indiscriminate dress codes against the LGBTIA+ community. This can include
CHAIRMAN ON SUB-
ORGANIZATIONS providing gender-neutral dress codes, allowing students to wear clothes that match
their gender identity, and ensuring that dress codes are implemented in a non-
LEOWELA KYLA I. AUTOR discriminatory manner. We believe that the institution will gain nothing from this
HISTORIAN
conservative dress policy. By doing so, we are only prohibiting students from non-
ENGR. EMMANUEL P. MAALA binary genders to express themselves freely. More so, cross-dressing does not defy
ADVISER
decency and modesty in our clothing. Clearly, we still have this stigma that cross-
CONTACT INFORMATION: dressing is inappropriate, ridiculous, and indecent that's why we have to start the
Ralph G. Recto Building, change in this institution so that society fully accepts the LGBTQIA+ community. We
Batangas State University hope our institution will understand that giving them the opportunity to express
Alangilan Campus, Alangilan,
Batangas City their sexuality in school will not, in any way, affect their academic performance. Just
0927 846 4551 like our motto, we're not just about leading innovation and building the nation, we
acesalangilan@g.batstate- also TRANSFORM LIVES.
u.edu.ph
@aces_batstateu
Association of Civil
Engineering Students –
Batangas State University

ASSOCIATION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING STUDENTS

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering – Department of Civil Engineering

PICE/ACES BATSTATEU Third Year:

COMMITTEE The existing dress code policy opposes the university's statement regarding
AY 2022-2023
'equality and inclusivity'. Given that the academic aspect is difficult, it gives more
challenge among other genders as they seem to adjust and fit themselves into what
JOSHUA ONIN P. OLIVENZA the university claims as a 'safe space'. Thus, making the students fear being in the
PRESIDENT
university and limiting their rights as a student. We, third years, are against the
GIAN CARLO D. MENDOZA current dress code policy. Let everyone choose and decide what they want to wear
VICE PRESIDENT FOR INTERNAL
AFFAIRS
as it will not define or affect their learning. Let them wear what they prefer to wear.
It will never affect their capabilities as a student and they are still disciplined. We
JOMARDEL J. CONSTANTINO should never base the behavior of a person on what they wear. It's their attitude
VICE PRESIDENT FOR EXTERNAL
AFFAIRS towards everyone that makes them disciplined. They are still responsible enough to
know which is proper and not. We. Disagree. With. The. Dress. Code. Policy. Of. The.
DANICA LENITTE D. TENORIO University. We are here for equality. Freedom is all they need, and not because they
GENERAL SECRETARY
wear clothes that are not fit the standard of many, does not mean they are wrong.
JORN XYRONN L. JAVIER Taking away the freedom of the students is wrong. Be open-minded. Be an inclusive
ASSISTANT SECRETARY school and put into practice the motto of the university. This is a serious matter that
HANNAH CIANDREA D. RUTAQUIO
needs to be resolved.
TREASURER
Fourth Year:
CHRISTIAN JAMES C. AJEDA
AUDITOR
As students of the university, we understand that there are certain rules and
regulations that we need to abide by. However, as society pushes to be more
ALLEN DAVE E. MALICSI inclusive and accepting especially in the long overdue process of claiming the rights
SENIOR LIAISON
of the members of LGBTQIA+ community, we believe that some standards stated in
RENMARK D. MARTINEZ the University Dress Code are neglectful of this aspect. Since there are students who
JUNIOR LIAISON identify themselves as part of the aforementioned community, they wish to present
themselves in a way where they would feel included, safe, and secure, similar to
ARIES B. IGNACIO what the university wants to uphold, yet in this sense, the recent statement released
SOPHOMORE LIAISON
by the administration emulsified confusion to the views of both parties. In this
GENE ANN K. MACALALAD regard, the fourth-year batch of BS Civil Engineering stands beside the students who
FRESHMEN LIAISON
are advocating for a more inclusive university by permitting students to wear
MARY ANDREY M. MADEJA whatever they want especially the transgenders who identify themselves as either
BUSINESS MANAGER man or woman and for anyone who classifies themselves beyond the spectrum.
However, on matters that concern the university, we disagree on retaining some
PATRICK CARLO B. AQUINO school policies on grounds regarding clothing as we enter the school premises, yet
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
we are still open to discussing matters with the agreed policy, with reservations that
ANGELA SAMUELLE G. REYES shall be tackled with utmost understanding. We recognize that when we talk about
CHAIRMAN ON SUB-
ORGANIZATIONS equality, we do not throw ignorance at conservative students. After all, we are a
community of diverse cultures, ideals, beliefs, and views, and as much as we want to
LEOWELA KYLA I. AUTOR have inclusivity, it shall not contradict with the matters of equality. We shout for a
HISTORIAN
university that transforms lives and builds a nation where acceptance and
ENGR. EMMANUEL P. MAALA understanding co-exist without confusion, a nation that listens, understands, and
ADVISER accepts.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Ralph G. Recto Building, ACES is firm on its stand in upholding our students' rights and freedom of
Batangas State University expression. The current decision of the University is contradicting to its mission of
Alangilan Campus, Alangilan,
Batangas City
providing a 21st century learning environment. As an institution that aims to propel
0927 846 4551
the national economy, BatStateU should be a safe and inclusive learning space for all
acesalangilan@g.batstate- its students. We stand with the entire Red Spartan community in this march towards
u.edu.ph truly leading innovations, transforming lives, and building the nation.
@aces_batstateu Let our voices be heard.
Association of Civil
Engineering Students –
Batangas State University

ASSOCIATION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING STUDENTS

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation