Ateneo faculty members, students urge vigilance over suspended car park project

MANILA, Philippines – The suspension of the Ateneo de Manila University’s North Carpark renovation project should not lead to complacency, as those opposed to the move urged continued discussions on the issue.

Ateneo faculty members Remmon Barbaza, Tony La Viña, Arjan Aguirre, and Carmel Abao said this to concerned faculty and student members during a “community kuwentuhan” session on Friday, January 12, where they discussed future action points on the controversial project as students return to campus on Monday, January 15.

“Mahalaga ‘yung ating pakikisangkot kasi nakikinig ang administrasyon kasi natigil [ang proyekto]…. Bukas naman sa pag-uusap pero ‘di natin alam kung hanggang saan ‘yung mangyayari,” Barbaza said.

(Our involvement is important as the administration listened – they suspended the project. They are open to dialogue, but we are not sure until where these dialogues would happen.) 

Abao said that the suspension of the project can be an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to engage with each other on the issue and find common ground. 

“At the end of the day…developing something within the campus, developing our land resources, [is] not a management prerogative. It’s a community decision,” she added.

The North Carpark renovation project aims to increase parking slots from 161 to 217 and promises to provide “better pedestrian access, covered walkways, improved drainage, better traffic flow, and a rest area for drivers.” 

More than 1,200 people have signed an open letter calling for the Ateneo administration to stop the project as of Wednesday, January 10. The plan was suspended a day later, on January 11.

Ateneo plans to hold an open forum on January 31 to discuss the project.

“We hope it will be an opportunity for the stakeholders to share their opinions. The administrators will be there to listen to people,” said Leland dela Cruz, Ateneo assistant vice president for social development, environment, and community engagement. 

Dela Cruz added that administration officials are willing to listen to possible options and ideas on the project ahead of the January 31 forum. 

During the community session, students and faculty cited the university