Brilliant minds in policy making and social development gathered at the Regional Science and Research Center (RSRC) of Mindanao State University-General Santos (MSU-GSC) for a groundbreaking event aimed at exploring the potential of social sciences in shaping policy outcomes and creating meaningful change, March 29.
The inaugural Social Science Parliament is an event that emphasizes the vital role that social sciences play in transforming opportunities into impactful outcomes.
Selected students from four academic institutions participated in this parliamentary event: the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH Vanguards) of MSU-Gensan, the College of Arts and Sciences (Dragons) of Holy Trinity College (HTC), the College of Arts and Sciences (Chameleons) of Stratford International School, and the College of Education, Arts and Sciences (Manta Rays) of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU).
The event focused on the fundamentals of parliamentary procedure, resolution-making, and the responsibilities of social sciences in these processes.
Roles of Social Science
In a statement by Dr. Mario J. Aguja, the Dean of CSSH and a peace advocate, emphasized that humans by nature are social, during his talks on roles of social sciences in policy formulation.
“When we introduce ourselves to different kinds of people,we basically introduce our social group—of our family name, our community, our ethnicity, is to tell them this is what we are as part of a group rather than as merely individual,” Aguja said.
The dean, who is also a faculty member from the Sociology Department of MSU-GSC, also pointed out that the use of ‘science’ in social science is crucial as it is used as a scientific inquiry to understand the social science.
“Ang katotohanan ay base sa pananaw ng mga nakakarami, hindi yung iilan lang,” he added.
Intension-driven resolution-making
According to Antoniette Gay T. Llido-Velasquez, the chief of the Resolutions, Agenda and Ordinances Division of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the city, there will be no conscious effort if a person created resolutions for the sake of credentials only.
“Importante talaga is you have the details, like the name, date, the relevance of your intention, the author—iyon ang importante. Siyempre, yung ginagawa mong resolution—how impactful it would be to the public,” Velasquez justified.
She also challenged the students to engage in civic participation by submitting resolutions or proposals that address relevant issues in their community or city.
“Dahil social science students sila, ano ba sa tingin nila ang relevant o ano ba sa tingin nila na makatulong, na makaaddress sa mga concerns ng general public?” the division chief said.
Essentiality of Parliamentary
Antonio Mantahinay Jr., the president of CSSH Students Organization (CSSHSO), highlighted that parliamentary procedure promotes efficiency and transparency within organizations, allowing for the approval of minutes, financial reports, and open questioning, ensuring that all members can exercise their rights.
"I think that parliamentary procedure enables organizations to function efficiently and transparently…..Everyone is given the right to question and scrutinize these presentations,” he said.
In addition, the president explained that while parliamentary procedure follows democratic principles, it also ensures minority rights are respected.
“All issues, not just personal issues, but those of the assembly as a whole, are discussed. It is deliberated. Therefore, it is not just the issue of the majority, but also the issues of the minority that are considered,” the organization president stressed.
Students’ Viewpoints
In an interview with Angela Kirtana Candole, an AB Political Science student from MSU-GSC, she strongly stated that passing resolutions that are solvable within institutions, could congest the Sangguniang Panglungsod, making it harder to implement more critical policies.
"If mag create ka ng so many resolutions that can be solved naman internally within the bounds of any other agency or institution, magka-cause siya ng clogging sa atuang Sangguniang Panglungsod, in which we do not want that,” Candole said.
She advised fellow participants to be more rigorous in scrutinizing proposals, as this reflects the institution’s credibility and their understanding of the current status quo.
On the other hand, Sharvane L. Segundera, a third-year Political Science student from HTC, stated that she intends to participate in more parliamentary activities in the future because of the societal influence from her fellow parliamentarians.
“The resolutions presented by other committees will help me discern information outside this room. This experience has been very educational, and I want to engage in more activities like this because it has a real impact on society,” Segundera said.
As a first-time participant in a parliamentary forum, she observed the formal procedures and learned how such discussions are conducted.
Student parliamentarians demonstrated a strong desire to deepen their understanding of participation, which, according to Mantahinay, “aligns perfectly with the purpose of the Social Science Parliament.”
“I think because it's still the first installation of the Social Science Parliament, not everyone is really participative in deliberating their resolutions. That is why there is a Social Science Parliament, to capacitate our social science students in matters of policymaking as a whole,” Mantahinay said.
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