AFTER FIVE decades of service, the Ateneo Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AMPC) will cease operations as the Gonzaga cafeteria’s ground floor concessionaire on May 31 after losing their bid to Kitchen City.

AMPC Chair Philip Arnold Tuaño, PhD confirmed that officers of the cooperative were informed of the results by the Office of the Vice President for Administration (OVPA) and University Business Affairs Office (UBAO) on December 2, 2024. Meanwhile, members were officially notified during their general membership meeting last March 29.

According to Vice President for Administration (VPA) Rodolfo Ang, the administration waited for AMPC’s general assembly to tell the cooperative members before awarding the contract to the new first-floor concessionaire.

Ang also revealed that AMPC is set to officially end cafeteria operations at the end of the month, as first-floor renovations by Kitchen City are scheduled to begin in early June.

Despite AMPC’s departure as the main cafeteria concessionaire, AMPC member Gian* clarified that the cooperative is not fully leaving the University premises. With the cafeteria only representing one of AMPC’s services, he shared that their catering and loan operations also generate income growth for the cooperative.

First bidding in decades

To introduce a new process of food service selection, the OVPA, UBAO, and Office of Food Safety and Quality Assurance spearheaded the University’s first cafeteria concession bidding in five decades.

Following a call for bidding in May 2023, the process proceeded with an evaluation of short-listed concessionaires in July 2024, which included site inspections, food safety checks, commissary visits, and food-tasting sessions.

To target the needs of the HE community, Ang emphasized that selected students, employees, and administrators were involved at every stage of the bidding process. These stakeholders provided feedback, attended the food-tasting sessions, and rated the shortlisted candidates after hearing their proposals.

As the longtime main HE concessionaire, AMPC also submitted a bid after UBAO informed them that they were also required to undergo the bidding process. While the cooperative complied with all requirements, Gian stated that AMPC’s cooperative members should also be prioritized as they “are also Ateneo employees.”

Notably, Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs Section Head for Student Concerns and Compliance Cholo Mallillin previously mentioned that AMPC staff and their sub-concessionaires are not Ateneo employees. AMPC General Manager Leon Bernardino added that out of the 32 employees, 16 were agency-based sourced from Aimstaff Multi-purpose Cooperative.

Gian added that AMPC created their own bidding committee and underwent the full bidding process for the main concessionaire, which took “three to four months,” leading up to the submission of their application documents.

However, he pointed out procedural lapses during the food-tasting evaluation, noting that AMPC served buffet-style dishes instead of the required plated meals. He also expressed concern regarding the announcement of the winning bidder, suggesting that it should have been the University’s role to “preempt” such matters.

“We were just waiting for the [administration’s] announcement, but it turns out, they [were] also waiting for us to announce [the result] to the members. Our question is this, ‘Why should we be the first one to announce?’ Isn’t it that we should not preempt their announcement of the results?” Gian expressed in a mix of Filipino and English.

Ang explained the administration’s belief that the cooperative members “should be the first ones to know that they will no longer be the concessionaire” before proceeding with the official awarding.

As part of the University’s goal of upholding quality management, UBAO Director Victor Claravall announced that the bidding will now occur every three years for all main concessionaires. This process will involve food concessionaires across the Basic Education unit, Higher Education (HE) cluster, University Residence Halls in Loyola Heights, and Ateneo Professional Schools in Rockwell and Salcedo.

Continuing services

Following the selection of the new main concessionaire, Ang indicated that the University offered provisions to AMPC, including support for the displaced cafeteria staff and a promise to retain their office space.

AMPC Vice Chairperson Antoinette Sunday C. Santos confirmed that their office will remain at the ground floor of the Gonzaga Hall. However, she shared that it will undergo a “minor renovation” to comply with UBAO’s requirements.

Ang noted that the University is committed to supporting affected workers, either by absorbing them into University operations as janitors or dorm personnel or helping them apply to the new concessionaires. He added that the new main food concessionaire has pledged to prioritize AMPC employees, with hiring already underway.

However, Gian expressed concerns about the workers’ future. Bernardino noted that from the 32 cafeteria employees, eight are high school graduates and two are nearing retirement, which could limit their job options.

Nonetheless, Gian shared that AMPC is exploring further opportunities for expansion, including potential operations at Ateneoville, the University’s housing project in Marikina. The cooperative is also working to diversify its programs, in alignment with recommendations from the Cooperative Development Authority, a government agency that fosters cooperative growth.

In light of this, Tuaño expressed that the cooperative has continuously “endeavored” to protect the welfare of its members and serve the Ateneo community. As such, he remains hopeful that AMPC will be an avenue for the community to come together.

“I think the cooperative also shows the importance of bringing together the different sectors within the campus. I hope that there are more opportunities for staff, faculty professionals, and students to come together, and administrators as well, [through] this enterprise,” Tuaño shared.

Moving forward, Santos asserted that AMPC will continue to serve its “greater community” and welcome new memberships.

Rising costs, new faces

In the second semester of AY 2024–2025, new stalls like Ate Rica’s Bacsilog, K-Egg, and Jamaican Pattie were added to the Gonzaga cafeteria. Claravall clarified that these concessions still fall under AMPC’s management.

Claravall also mentioned that price regulation will be included in the contracts with the new main concessionaires to promote affordability and ensure a variety of food options. Commenting on the recent price increases in the cafeteria, he shared that UBAO is currently not responsible for regulating prices.

To address other concerns surrounding cafeteria concessionaires, Claravall shared that UBAO is working closely with the Sanggunian, particularly its newly formed Ateneo Task Force on Food Affordability and Nutrition. He expressed his hope that the task force’s findings will guide efforts toward achieving fair pricing while maintaining food quality and diversity.

Despite the changes in the HE cafeteria, Tuaño remains hopeful about AMPC’s future, noting that the cooperative will move forward by centering on finding new opportunities to serve and bring its members together.

*Editor’s Note: The name of the interviewee has been changed to protect their identity and privacy.