Vendors and students from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman launched the UP Not for Sale Network on March 12 as they proposed a “community version” of the floor plan of DiliMall — a project expected to open soon.
When the fire ravaged the Shopping Center in 2018, the UP community lost its one-stop shop for affordable meals, photocopying and printing services, and budget-friendly haircuts.
Now, the Shopping Center is being replaced by the DiliMall, along with the arrival of new tenants from a third-party management group.
At a press conference at the back of the nearly-finished mall, the Samahang Manininda sa UP Campus Inc. (SMUPC), presented five demands against the commercialization of campus spaces.
Among these is upholding the 2004 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the original stallholders and the university administration, saying that original tenants of the old Shopping Center must be prioritized when the said establishment is replaced by a then-proposed two-story “town center.”
Under the MOA, UP Diliman shall grant the “right of first refusal” to the Shopping Center Stallholders’ Association Inc. (SCSAI) to lease stalls on the first and second floors of the proposed establishment.
This means that the original stallholders have the right to be the first buyers of the stalls and decide if they want to lease the spaces. They are also entitled to a 20% discount on rental for the first five years of their occupancy.
“May Memorandum of Agreement na mahigit dalawang dekada na, hindi maipatupad-tupad. Ina-acknowledge ng mga huling administrasyon ngunit ayaw ipatupad,” SCSAI President Edward Fernando said.
SMUPC Chair Narry Hernandez emphasized that this agreement signed in 2004 seems to have been neglected as leadership in the administration changes.
She expressed worry that spaces in the DiliMall will have the same fate as the GyudFood Hub, where vendors had to back out due to high rental rates.
Read: Food hub construction, new ‘taller, bigger’ SC worry UP vendors
The overall project has a master lease under the CBMS Retail Business Development Consultancy. According to the lease, the proposed rental rates of the DiliMall are either P550 per square meter or P350 per square meter on top of additional taxes and fees.
Moreover, Hernandez stressed that the high rental fees at the new DiliMall would almost make it impossible for these establishments to continue providing affordable services to students.
When the DiliMall opens, local campus vendors would have to compete with commercial establishments such as Mary Grace, Army Navy, and Pancake House located on the DiliMall’s ground floor, according to an alleged floor plan released by UPD University Student Council (USC) last Nov. 23.
Meanwhile, the USC proposed the “UP Community’s Version” of the Dilimall floor plan at the end of the press conference.
It featured spaces for notable UP tenants such as Blessings Copy Center and Rodic’s, alongside areas designated for the maninindas. There were also student spaces, including recreational areas on various floors, a study hall on the third floor and hangout spaces on the roof deck.
“Hindi lang siya nalilimitahan doon sa ating stallholders pero magagamit siya ng buong komunidad sa UP,” USC Chairperson Shine Reyes said.
The UPD USC presented their UP Community’s Version of the DiliMall floor plan at the press conference last March 12. Photo by Dave Quigao
Last March 21, university officials led by UP President Angelo Jimenez held a dialogue with the USC to address issues on the DiliMall.
During the meeting, student representatives raised urgent concerns about the displacement of original stall owners and the lack of consultation with the concerned sectors.
Jimenez, meanwhile, responded that vendors have been given the opportunity to occupy the new building at affordable rates.
He also claimed that the design of the commercial building is intended to make way for student spaces, including the accommodation of events and exhibitions for UP students.
