History
The official formalization of the current timeline for the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance Student Council (UP NCPAG SC) traces back to academic year 1992-1993, as the then-College of Public Administration (CPA) moved from Rizal Hall, UP Manila to its own college building in UP Diliman. With the reinstatement of the Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration (BAPA) degree back in 1988, the UP CPA SC signified the growth of increased student representation within the college.
The undergraduate students brought vitality to the College's events and its involvement in campus life under the direction of the UP CPA SC; in the 1993 UP Lantern Parade, they took first place for the college's most symbolic lantern. However, in just two years, the CPA community mourned the loss of Dennis Venturina, UP CPA SC Chairperson and graduating BAPA student, who was slain in a fraternity brawl in December 1994. However, this did not deter CPA from continuing forward with its pursuit of good governance in public administration education and research, especially with its transformation into the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) in November 26, 1998. Fostering a close community, the college also earned third place in the 1999 UP Lantern Parade and top place in the Belen Competition.
In CPA organizations, the PA students put their youthful enthusiasm to use. Aside from the Student Council, other student organizations that have risen include: STPA (Samahan Tungo sa Progresibong Administrasyon), CIRCA (Circle of Administrators), LEGAL (League for Empowered Governance and Leadership), and UP Pagdumala (Tapales, 2002). Notably, STPA was the recipient of Outstanding Student Organization in awards given during UP Diliman Week, consistently winning the title of Outstanding Student Organization. NCPAG Umalohokan also sprang up as the college's official student publication. Not wanting to be left out, graduate students also founded the Association of Graduate Students and Alumni (AGSA).
Socio-political parties also sprang up that molded student-leaders within the college and would continue to do so in the succeeding years, such as the Practice of Administrative Leadership and Service (PALS-NCPAG), Alternatibong Pangasiwaang Pangmadla (APP), and PULSE (Pursuit of Unity, Leadership, Service, and Excellence), with PALS-NCPAG continuing its pursuit for student leadership and participation as agents of governance to this day.
Under the deanship of Maria Concepcion P. Alfiler (2001–2004), the UP NCPAG Student Government Office was built in 2000 with support from the Pagdumala Representative and the proceeds raised from the NCPAG Run. Meanwhile, the deanship of Dr. Alex B. Brillantes Jr. (2004-2010) oversaw the construction of the Student Tambayan Complex, capable of housing four (4) student organizations.
In 2012, the League of NCPAG Organizations was formally established as an independent body of unified college organizations, with its goals to foster unity and participation, advance the welfare of the NCPAG Community, and enhance public administration as a field of study. A spiritual successor to the earlier composition of the Student Council with appointed organizational representatives sitting within the study body, the LNO is composed of representatives (organizations’ head and externals) from each of the college's student organizations, with the NCPAG SC Vice Chairperson serving as its Convenor.
Also, around that same year, a new socio-political organization was formed. Initiative for Genuine Involvement, Transparency and Empowerment-NCPAG, otherwise known as IGNITE-NCPAG, stands on its democratic decision-making, policies, and programs that promote equality in the university and the nation, forwarding its nationalist, reformist, and progressive orientation at the forefront of molding leaders across the diverse field of public administration. In its first elections in 2013, IGNITE managed to clinch 7 positions, serving as the council's ruling party.
During the academic year 2013–2014, the 22nd UP NCPAG SC under Chairperson Raymond Rodis oversaw a significant restructuring that included a review and amending of its constitution. Among the many internal policy changes were the termination of the separate election process for Undergraduate and College Councilors towards a new set of Councilors elected at-large by the student body, the addition of a Ways and Means Administrator, and the strengthening of Batch Representatives as voting members. The following 23rd UP NCPAG SC under Chairperson Janella Santiago served as a transitionary council for the constitution, before the 24th UP NCPAG SC was elected under the new NCPAG SC Constitution under Chairperson Kirtham Dumpa.
In 2020, the college's highest student body faced its most daunting challenge, as the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown led to the postponement of the UP Diliman student council elections and the enactment of holdover terms. Despite a limited manpower, the 28th NCPAG Student Council continued its term for an unprecedented 2 years, from 2019 to June 2021.
It was also during the pandemic that a local chapter of the university-wide political party, Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP), was established. Aiming to break the status quo in terms of governance by forwarding genuine public service that caters to a mass-oriented purpose, militant undergraduates in the college formed STAND UP NCPAG.
2021 saw the first remote elections for the UP Diliman student council elections, including that for the 29th NCPAG Student Council, with the college's three socio-political organizations (PALS-NCPAG, IGNITE-NCPAG, and STAND UP NCPAG) vying for various positions in the council. For its first election, STAND UP NCPAG managed to secure 5 positions, while PALS-NCPAG secured a majority with 7 positions, with Allondra Serdinia elected to a full-term as Chairperson after serving as Acting Chairperson under the 28th SC.