Student councils across the University of the Philippines (UP) System strengthen their calls for adequate academic and student facilities amid the increasing commercialization of campus spaces.
On the first day of the 56th convention of the General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) on Thursday, Feb. 8, at UP Visayas Miagao Campus, various student councils reported their struggles with the lack of classrooms and dormitory spaces.
Unit reports from the university student councils (USC) of UP Baguio, UP Mindanao (UPMin), UP Manila (UPM) and UP Los Baños (UPLB) revealed that students had to “fight” for limited dormitory slots in their units.
Due to inadequate student spaces, UPMin USC said some students had to seek alternative housing services outside the campus that are relatively more expensive.
“Kulang na kulang ang university sa dorm. Mayroong bagong magbubukas na dorm [na ang renta ay] P1,500, at ang halagang ‘yan ay hindi abot-kaya at hindi student-friendly,” the council added.
Aside from the lack of housing, inadequate learning facilities and spaces for student organizations also trouble several colleges.
The student council of the UPLB College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) reported challenges in securing art spaces such as theaters, the lack of which they said hindered the development of the college’s art sector.
In UPM’s CAS, the deteriorating conditions of some furnishings and equipment in student centers add to the burden of already tight spaces, the local council said.
“Sira-sira ang kagamitan tulad ng mesa, upuan at aircon. Dahil dito napipilitan ang mga estudyante na lumabas ng kolehiyo upang makahanap ng komportable na mapagtatambayan,” the council added.
Meanwhile, UP Diliman (UPD) USC Chairperson Shine Reyes reported on the transfer of the management of the campus’ Student Union Building (SUB) from the system to the local administration.
Despite this, Reyes said the SUB’s facilities remain limited, even if the building was mainly established to provide safe spaces for academic and student activities.
In September last year, the UPD USC reported that only seven of the initial 12 rooms dedicated to students in the building’s fourth floor are available for student use.
READ: Kakulangan sa akademikong espasyo, dormitoryo tinutulan
Similarly, despite having its own SUB, UPLB’s student spaces remain scarce for the university’s population.
“Bagama’t mayroon tayong Student Union Building, malaki pa rin ang kinakaharap ng aming unibersidad sa kakulangan ng espasyo dahil umabot na sa 15,000 ang estudyante,” UPLB USC chairperson Gio Olivar said.
Increasing commercialization
Issues on student spaces are only further compounded by threats of commercialization as multiple business establishments have been popping up inside UP campuses in recent years.
In her midterm report, Student Regent Sofia Trinidad said despite the shift to full face-to-face classes, student spaces continue to dwindle due to the commercialization of university properties.
UPD USC slammed the construction of “Dilimall,” UPD’s soon-to-rise shopping center, which will reportedly open in March. Coincidentally, the neighboring Area 2, known for its affordable food options and other services, is reportedly facing closure in February.
In November last year, UPD USC published a copy of the floor plan of the DiliMall showing chain stores such as Robinsons EasyMart, Army Navy, Tokyo Tokyo, Pancake House and Mary Grace set to occupy its first floor.
According to Reyes, the opening of DiliMall and the impending closure of Area 2 will not only result in the lack of affordable food options, especially for dormers but will also affect other sectors of the university, particularly the maninindas.
“Pinapanawagan namin na hindi dapat for sale ang UP. Inaasahan ang pagpapasasara sa Area 2 at pagbubukas ng DiliMall. Gayunpaman, nagpapatuloy kami sa laban against commercialization,” Reyes said.
The DiliMall is just the latest in a string of commercial developments at UPD following the construction of the Ayala-developed Technohub and UP Town Center, and the Gyud Food Market which opened in 2023.
Similarly, UPLB USC also underscored in their unit report the worsening commercialization in their campus, such as the establishment of a Chooks-to-Go store in the SUB and the upcoming “UPLB Agro-Industrial and Information Technology Parks” project.
Amid the issues of commercialized academic and campus spaces, constituent universities continue to record cases of police and military presence on their campuses.
The cases have become more frequent after the Duterte administration unilaterally terminated in 2021 the 1989 UP-DND Accord, which prohibited military forces from entering UP campuses without proper justification.
Meanwhile, the 1992 UP-DILG Accord, which applies to the police, is still in effect.
Despite this, several student councils still reported cases of police mobiles roaming around the campus for “printing” purposes and military agencies partnering with local colleges to conduct seminars red-tagging progressive groups.
In the 55th Convention of the GASC in August 2023, student councils also adopted a resolution intensifying efforts against campus militarization, following multiple instances of state incursions across various UP campuses.
This week, the GASC will deliberate on 20 proposed resolutions, including those calling for adequate housing and academic spaces, and an end to campus commercialization and militarization.
