IN AN attempt to gather the Ateneo community’s insights on the North Carpark renovation, the University administration hosted an open forum and presented their detailed plans last January 31 at Escaler Hall. Notably, the administration suspended the renovations of the North Carpark to “acknowledge the different concerns and sentiments” regarding the project.

Elaborating on the administration’s initiative, Vice President for Administration Rodolfo Ang stated that the renovation was a response to stakeholder demands for enhanced and safer parking facilities. As such, he clarified that the North Carpark project is not driven primarily by the need for additional parking slots.

In particular, the renovation is aligned with both the Laudato Si’ Action Plan and the Campus Master Plan to make the campus a “balanced ecosystem.” Under the Campus Master Plan, building upon already existing structures will be prioritized, opting to preserve open spaces and transform current car parks into green areas.

Acknowledging the lapses in communication, Ang apologized for the absence of consultations for the renovation. He reassured that the administration would be more open to consultations regarding future projects but stated that there is a necessity for greater clarity from the community on “what needs to be discussed.”

Aiming for improvement

Reiterating the Ateneo’s commitment toward integral ecology, Ateneo Institute of Sustainability Director Kendra Gotangco Gonzales, PhD, emphasized that innovative and integral biodiversity functions as the overarching “master plan” to be integrated into all of the University’s initiatives.

Additionally, Gonzales introduced the University’s Biodiversity Action and Climate Action plans, which were designed to positively impact campus green spaces for educational purposes and foster a sustainable, resilient future. 

“The University envisions the incorporation of integral ecology into the academic and character formation for all levels [and aims to] develop the campus into a ‘living laboratory,’” Gonzales stated.

Moreover, Ang elaborated on the Mobility Master Plan which “aims to create a more walkable campus” and increase the use of e-jeeps within the campus.

Ang emphasized that the 82 trees—to be felled during the North Carpark’s renovations—would have been repurposed for constructing trellises along the area. He also clarified that the trees in question are not the ones situated along the University Road, but those within the vicinity of the car park.

Constructive exchanges

After chosen stakeholders shared their perspectives on the University’s plans, the forum allowed students and faculty alike to openly impart their sentiments and clarify pressing concerns regarding the University’s plans.

Notably, Ang responded to criticism on the lack of transparency surrounding the project. “There has not been extensive public consultation [on the carpark renovation], but I did not realize we needed that because we have had many other major projects that did not require consultations,” he stated.

Sharing her take on the matter, Sanggunian President Bernice Mendoza expressed that while the administration met with student representatives last December, “pre-approved projects such as this cannot be considered as consultations.”

In an interview with The GUIDON, Ateneo Geophysics and Manila Observatory Geodynamics Researcher Joel Tiu Maquiling, PhD criticized that the hour-and-a-half forum merely recounted the events. He added that the time could have been better used for meaningful discussions with community members instead.

Similarly, Development Studies Director Leslie Lopez, PhD expressed that cutting down the car park’s invasive trees may set a harmful precedent for removing all other invasive trees in the Ateneo, which can magnify the urban heat island effect felt within the campus. Moving forward, the administration announced that a final decision on the renovation is still pending, as more dialogues are expected to take place. In the meantime, they encourage the Ateneo community to continue raising their opinions and complaints through the Feedback on the North Carpark Upgrade Project Google Form. These concerns will be compiled and summarized by the Office of the Assistant Vice President and reported in future discussions.