THE ACCOUNTANCY AND Business cluster will formally separate from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) to establish the College of Accountancy and Business (CAB), with full implementation set for academic year 2026–2027.
Details of the transition were formally presented by CAS Dean Prof. Christian Bryan S. Bustamante, PhD. in an assembly held at the Abbot Lopez Hall last August 13. The College’s class beadles, Student Organization Circle (SOC) and Student Council (SC) officers, faculty, and administrators were in attendance to hear the development roadmap of the CAB.
Board of Trustees approve PAASCU-backed proposal
The idea of a dedicated college for the Accountancy and Business cluster was first raised by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) way back in 2009, recommending the move to enable “better and [more] effective academic supervision.”
The proposal resurfaced in 2016, though it was only approved by the Board of Trustees (BOT) in March 2025.
The CAS is currently home to 18 academic programs, with 11 coming from the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities cluster, while the remainder are under the Accountancy and Business cluster.
Two-phase transition
The transition will occur into two phases, beginning in the second semester of academic year 2025-2026.
The first phase will involve implementation, which will separate the faculty of CAS and CAB. However, both colleges will utilize the same central office in response to the difficulty of immediately separating documents during the second semester.
Full implementation of the split for the academic year 2026-2027 is expected during the second phase. This will include the complete establishment of two separate administrative structures, with its own Dean, Vice Dean, Administrative Officer, Prefect of Student Affairs, Central Office, and Guidance Services, among others.
Dean Bustamante emphasized that facilities such as classrooms and computer laboratories will continue to be shared among the CAS and CAB. Business incubators and department offices, however, are set to be transitioned to the established college.
“Desisyon na ‘yan ng top management kung saan kayo ilalagay,” he stated, pertaining to the offices of CAB students and administrators.
Changes in student organizations
The establishment of CAB will bring about substantial changes not only to the current administrative structure but also to the organizational structure, specifically the special interest organizations of the Student Organization Circle (SOC).
Among those include the Student Council (SC) and student publications such as The Bedan, ECHOES, and The Spires, which include members from both the CAS and CAB.
Nevertheless, Dean Bustamante mentioned how this division may be deliberated through two available options at disposal: maintaining the status quo and the entire establishment of a new entity for the CAB.
He explained how there are opportunities for discussion on how the separation will be smoothly implemented without having to split specialized interest organizations between CAS and CAB.
“You can discuss that. You can deliberate on that. And you have one [semester] to do that,” he proposed.
Bedans air concerns over lack of transparency, consultation
However, Bedans present during the meeting raised concerns over transition logistics, transparency, and bared the lack of student consultation prior to the announcement of the CAB.
A senior from the Department of Accountancy and Taxation, who asked to remain anonymous, expressed support for the idea of separation for more specialized and aligned management, especially for programs that have board exams and certifications, saying, “It’s a better move for the institution.”
“Basically okay na siya. CAB itself hiwalay, hiwalay ang CAS, mas merong supervision, mas merong management ang mangyari at sana merong system,” he said.
Nonetheless, he pointed out the absence of an “in-depth system” that would facilitate its smooth implementation, as he also noted how existing systems and arrangements between the separating colleges should be corresponding.
“The problem is nag-publish, meron daw gagawing reform… Kaso sinabi nila sa mga estudyante [nang] walang in-depth system na binanggit. Unfortunately, sabi niya [CAS Dean] na last na rin daw ‘yun na makakausap niya tayo. Bakit? Yes, naiintindihan ko meron tayong committee, pero kasi initially ikaw nagsalita, ikaw humarap sa amin so supposedly dapat ikaw rin ang sasagot,” he stressed, noting that some students’ queries were deflected during the forum.
On the other hand, SC Internal Vice President (IVP) Ramon Gabriel Ledesma said the meeting had “failed to provide clear avenues” for student participation in the unfolding separation process.
He expressed frustration that the meeting focused solely on presenting predetermined plans rather than actively involving students in meaningful dialogue.
“That is why nagtataka ako ngayon why is this a presentation, and not a consultation kung anong pwede natin gawin,” he stated.
Moreover, Ledesma said that he was “confused and not really a fan of what happened,” adding that it failed to address concerns regarding the burden placed on the CAB in determining what will happen next.
“This is a problem caused by the institution, and there needs to be a solution provided by the institution,” he emphasized, citing the unresolved issues surrounding the upcoming parting.
The CAS Dean emphasized in the presentation that further questions would be addressed by a transition committee established to facilitate the separation, adding that this presentation would be the “first and last time” the matter would be formally presented to the student body.