CLSU FACES RESILIENCY CHALLENGE AMID COVID-19: NBC 580 IMPLEMENTATION

Message from the University President Greetings of hope and peace, our dear CLSU students, faculty, staff and alumni amidst CoVID 19! It is with heavy heart that the University President and the entire CLSU administration would like to inform you of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)’s newly released National Budget Circular (NBC) No. 580, “Adoption of Economy Measures in the Government due to the Emergency Health Situation” brought about by the impact of the pandemic Corona Virus Disease 2019 (CoVID-19). This NBC covers all government instrumentalities including State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), like the Central Luzon State University, for budgetary appropriations authorized under the FYs 2019 and 2020 General Appropriations Acts (GAAs) . The NBC states that all concerned government instrumentalities are hereby advised that 35% of its programmed appropriations under the FY 2020 GAA shall no longer be made available for release effective April 1, 2020. Likewise, at least 10% of the total released budget allotted for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) and Capital Outlays (CO) for FY 2020, shall no longer be available for obligation, highly affecting the hiring of Job Orders (JOs), consultants and technical assistants, except those considered as frontliners during this state of public health emergency. The CLSU Administration is indeed saddened by this development, yet we need to abide by this circular. This limitation has challenged our wisdom towards balanced decisions - decisions that will allow those concerned to fully understand that we certainly and truly care, but are also bound to implement such measures pursuant to the directives of our national government. We need to be more resilient, positive, and hopeful that we will be able to surpass this crisis and that together as a nation We Heal as One. Let us continue to observe the safety protocols to protect ourselves, and be our part in protecting our families and the community from the virus. The members of the CLSU Administration are one with you in praying for everyone’s safety, to meet our basic necessities, and the immediate recovery of our families, the University, and the world from this pandemic. Also, together, let us thank and pray for the safety of our frontlines, and all who have shared their time, efforts and blessings to help those in need. The CLSU Administration assures our students, faculty and staff that throughout this crisis and after, and as our operation normalizes and our budget gets hopefully restored, we will be in touch for updates, and continue our journey towards the realization of our common vision for CLSU. We look forward to seeing you again, with genuine smiles and happy hearts filled with gratitude, as always! God bless us all!