More than 300 individuals from multi-sectoral groups in University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) protested at DiliMall as its first store, Robinsons Easymart, opened yesterday, Nov. 18.
The 7,500-square-meter space where the old Shopping Center (SC) once stood will soon be occupied with private establishments, including Mary Grace Café, Angel’s Pizza and Pancake House, according to DiliMall’s floor plan. The said restaurant chains will replace the 25 budget-friendly stalls in SC that were destroyed by a fire in March 2018.
Top officials from UP, Robinsons and DiliMall management attended the scheduled ribbon-cutting ceremony, but was interrupted when protesters flocked to the grocery store.
Among the UP officials present in the event were UP President Angelo Jimenez, UP Vice President for Development (VPD) Daniel Peckley Jr., UPD Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan III, UPD Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Jerwin Agpaoa, and Officer-in-Charge for UPD Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jay-Ar Igno.
The protest eventually compelled Jimenez to hold an informal dialogue with the UP community. Students and stallowners raised multiple teeming concerns to Jimenez, particularly the lack of dialogue between UP Shopping Center Stallholders Association (UP SCSA) and UP administration.
Fenny Calleja, former SC stallholder said the administration did not talk with them despite two years of them requesting a town hall meeting.
“Matagal na ho kaming nanghihingi ng meeting sa inyo. This was the first time na mameet kita kasi lahat ng pinapaakyat niyo [ay] mga student councils, kaming mga stallholders, hindi niyo kami kinakausap at pinapakinggan. Wala ho kayong respeto sa amin, ang tingin niyo ho sa amin [ay] maliliit, mga basura … we are asking for townhall meeting, hindi niyo ho kami pinagbibigyang hanggang ngayon for two years already,” she said
Jimenez evaded answering the question. He repeatedly insisted that he had already talked with the University Student Council regarding DiliMall, leaving Calleja’s concern with no direct response. Jimenez then shared that due to the mobilization, he was “willing” to talk with the members of the community, but left without committing a date for the said meeting.
After officials rushed the ribbon-cutting ceremony due to the protestors, the community once again confronted Jimenez. However, he once again claimed that he is just seeking to improve the implementation of projects approved prior to his presidency in UP. After minutes of stand off with students and stall owners, Jimenez ended the talks claiming that he has to attend a meeting with university officials.
The master lessee agreement was signed by former UP President Danilo Concepcion on Jan. 6, 2023, according to a Philippine Collegian report.
Commitment to demands
Peckley Jr., UP’s head for development, held an impromptu dialogue right after Jimenez left the site. During the meeting, SC stallholders brought up their fear over impending demolition in the Old Tennis Court near Area 2, which their stores occupy.
Last August, stallowners were ordered to relocate by the UP VPD and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as the old tennis court will be converted to a parking and utility space for DiliMall.
A month after the DPWH order, Peckley instructed the UP Public Safety and Security Office “to provide assistance while the contractor [CBMS Research and Management Consultancy Services] moves the construction fence” around the Old Tennis Court.
The fence-building operation that was supposed to start on Sept. 5 was discontinued after UP SCSA President Eduardo Fernando revealed that no prior consultations were done. It was also the CBMS, managed by former assistant vice president of business development at Robinsons Retail Holdings Bim Sebastian, who instructed the stallowners to relocate from the site.
“[S]ir [Peckley], siya [Sebastian] ang nangunguna … CBMS ang nangunguna. Sir, kami po ‘yung nandoon [sa attempt demolition ng Old Tennis Court]. CBMS mismo nagsasabi, sila-sila mismo ang nagtuturo kung saan na po kami dadalhin,” she lamented during an on-the-spot dialogue with UP VPD Peckley.
Peckley said that while CBMS has no right to conduct clearing operations, he does not have control over DPWH, “He [Sebastian] doesn’t have any powers na magpa-demolish, but DPWH can.”
After a half-an-hour exchange, the admin and stallowners agreed to hold a meeting on Nov. 27 together with CBMS. Peckley committed that shops in the tennis court will not be demolished until the said meeting date.
UP officials will also hold a separate dialogue with maninindas and students on their space concerns on a tentative date.
For the meantime, Peckley assured the stallowners that no establishment will open in DiliMall until the consultation on Nov. 27.
