Ateneo pushes through with car park renovation project amid backlash

MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) has decided to push through with its plans to upgrade its North Carpark inside the Loyola Heights campus, with changes in its plan to avoid cutting down native trees, despite backlash from its community.

“We shall proceed with the North Carpark Upgrade Project in order to enhance safety and improve drainage in the area. There will be modifications to the original plan so that no native trees will be cut down. The University shall adjust the design of the car park to save trees,” university president Fr. Roberto Yap, SJ said in a memorandum released on Monday, March 4.

Under the North Carpark project, which was first announced in December 2023, a total of 82 trees – mostly considered as invasive species – will be cut to upgrade facilities, improve pedestrian access, and increase parking slots, but the plan sparked outcry among Ateneans.

Yap said on Monday that only the mahogany and gmelina trees, comprising 62 out of 82 affected trees according to university officials, will be cut down for the project in accordance with ADMU’s sustainability guidelines.

“Apart from providing seedlings to DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) as required by law for each tree to be removed in the parking area, the University will replace the mahogany and gmelina trees by planting native trees in the non-buildable areas of the campus,” he added.

Following adjustments in its plans, Yap said that activities for the car park upgrade project will now continue on March 11.

The university president also announced the creation of a “Campus Mobility Forum,” composed of officials, faculty, and students, to help the administration craft “innovative solutions and sustainable campus mobility strategies” in Ateneo.

“The forum conveners will document ideas exchanged and prepare a report outlining a vision for mobility on campus between now and 2030. The Forum will consider, among others, policies and practices that will promote innovative strategies that will improve campus mobility consistent with long-term sustainability,” Yap said.

This latest move comes weeks after students, faculty members, and alumni who opposed