ONE MONTH after the open forum with the Ateneo community, the administration has finalized their decision to proceed with the North Carpark renovation, recommencing the project on March 11. In their memo, the admin cited safety enhancements and drainage system improvements as the primary reasons for the project’s continuation.

Prior to the announcement, representatives from the Ateneo community forwarded follow-up letters to University President Roberto Yap, SJ, last February through email. In these letters, the representative reiterated their commitment to provide their expertise in the matter, also expressing the necessity for a “community response” not only concerning the project but also for future similar initiatives.

The representatives additionally emphasized that these efforts to reach out stem from stakeholders’ genuine concern for the Ateneo in the spirit of Laudato Si’. However, despite these requested follow-ups, the administration gave no response before their March 4 announcement stating the renovation’s continuation.

Modifying plans

Responding to the community’s continued concerns on cutting down trees, the administration reassured the community that no native species will be cut down in the revised plan. However, mahogany and gmelina trees will still be removed in line with the University’s Sustainability Policies and Specific Guidelines.

“Endemic species are protected and propagated, taking into consideration the safety of the community [such as] avoid[ing] mahogany in pedestrian and parking areas,” these protocols stated, among others.

Yap stated that these sustainability policies, as stated in the Laudato Si’ Action Plan, have been guided by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development of the Vatican. Particularly, the plan aims to protect the biodiversity of the campus by planting more native species while removing invasive entities in practicing “regenerative” agriculture.

In addition to the renewed plans, the administration formally established the Campus Mobility Forum as a way for stakeholders to facilitate small group discussions within the Basic and Higher Education Clusters. As a forum, the group is set to “submit [their] report and recommendations to the Office of the President” by May 30.

Previously in the January 31 forum, Vice President for Administration Rodolfo Ang, PhD acknowledged the absence of consultations before the initial announcement of the North Carpark renovation. “[We] did not realize we needed [consultations] because we have had many other major projects that did not require consultations,” Ang stated.

Hence, as a way to reconcile these concerns, School of Social Sciences Dean and Campus Mobility Forum Chair Czarina Saloma-Akpedonu, PhD defined the forum as a medium where representatives of the Ateneo’s stakeholders can come together and exchange ideas freely.

Saloma-Akpedonu also emphasized that aside from the forum’s conveners, everyone involved in campus affairs is considered a member, encouraging the community to engage in consultations and discussions. Furthermore, she assured that the community’s concerns would be relayed and discussed with the administration.

Uplifting stakeholder voices

Following the renovation’s resumption, Political Science Assistant Professor Arjan Aguirre, MA, MSc recognized the administration’s efforts to consider the insights of stakeholders and make necessary modifications to the renovation plan.

Notably, he believed that recent efforts to reach out to the community are “positive developments,” which may be proof that a healthy exchange of ideas led to these resolutions.

However, Aguirre hoped that the announcement from the admin had been clearer about stakeholder involvement. He believed that instead of focusing on the justification for cutting invasive species, the administration should have highlighted the process of replanting native trees and whether or not the decision is still open for inputs.

“[The admin] could have made [the community] feel that they are now part of this new renovation plan […] This can really help in building a renewed sense of community and partnership between the admin and its stakeholders,” Aguirre said.

Similarly, Sanggunian School of Science and Engineering Representative Annie Paboroquez welcomed the admin’s willingness to compromise with the community. However, she stated that the administration is still focused on the issue of cutting down trees instead of the broader call to promote campus biodiversity.

“The issue goes beyond simply the cutting of trees because this [matter] involves a whole variety of factors operating in a singular system, and I think it’s still relevant to remind ourselves [of this],” Paboroquez emphasized.

Paboroquez stated that the issue goes beyond just trees and parking space, asserting that it is now about engaging the whole community to discuss aspects of “our shared home” through different perspectives.

Letting transparency lead

Despite her apprehensions with the project, Paboroquez shared that she remains hopeful about the potential for students to directly engage with the admin on related matters given the establishment of the Campus Mobility Forum.

“Students [are], have been, and will forever be involved in these things,” Paboroquez reiterated. “We’re always willing to raise our voices and give insights on [any] matter.”

Moreover, Saloma-Akpedonu shared her hopes that the established forum can lead to better communication and rational consensus through deepened discussion with the community. She emphasized that each sector has different needs to address, and the new forum hopes to incorporate these concerns during consultations.

Likewise, Aguirre shared that the forum can be “a positive step toward rebuilding the trust and fostering a sense of community in Ateneo.” He expressed hopes that stakeholders within the faculty and student body will welcome this as an opportunity to move forward.

“[The administration] can be helped too in considering better, if not [the] best, options that work for all of us,” Aguirre stated.

Moving forward, Paboroquez reiterated that regardless of the project’s current state, any values and insights that the community gained from this issue shall not be discounted in the future.