THE ATENEO launched a university-wide clean-up operation on July 17, after Typhoon Glenda hit the Loyola Heights campus.

The Facilities Management Office (FMO), the Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the Office of Student Activities headed the operations.

Typhoon Glenda, internationally known as Rammasun, reached wind speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour at its peak and felled trees around the campus.

Some of the debris from the storm blocked university roads and pathways, such as the part of the Father Masterson Drive beside the Church of the Gesù and the Seminary Road near the covered courts.

According to FMO Director Michael Canlas, they already briefed the cleanup teams prior to Glenda’s arrival in Metro Manila on July 15.

The said teams were from the FMO landscape group, the FMO security group and the FMO main office.

Canlas said that the teams were already stationed on campus by July 16 in anticipation for the 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM rainfall, and were ready to mobilize once the storm subsided.

Canlas added that they tapped the members of other FMO units, who were able to go to the campus once the weather had cleared. These units include Utilities, and Campus Safety and Security.

Bernie Estrope, who was part of the cleanup efforts, said they were assigned to certain areas around campus and were tasked to clear up the pathways. Estrope is a welder at the JA Rementina Engineering Services, the campus landscape maintenance provider.

Canlas also said that once the roads were cleared, the teams moved on to the inner parts of campus, such as the gardens and walkways surrounding the buildings.

The Sanggunian announced on July 16 via its official Facebook page that, as per the administration’s request, students were not needed for the cleanup operations.

According to Canlas, however, students living in campus dormitories were asked to lend a hand in the clearing and cleaning efforts of the administration.

The cleanup is expected to be finished by July 18.