AUP - Ayala University of the Philippines?

Last January 10, 2014, the UP Economics towards Consciousness and the School of Economics Student Council held a forum with the title Kapekonomiya: Probing the UP Land Use. Former Vice President for Development, Prof. Ruperto Alonzo, and CSWCD professor Judy Taguiwalo are the main speakers of the said event. Also present as student reactors are USC Chairperson Alex Castro, SESC Chairperson Darrell Magsambol, and Student Regent Krista Melgarejo.

Based on the title of the forum, you probably already know that the main issue discussed in the talk is the establishment of commercial spaces on UP-owned land. During the event, professor Alonzo pointed out that commercialization in UP is nothing new – the private food concessionaires in our cafeterias, computer shops, photocopying services, books stores, etc – they were already there from a long time ago. It is actually a good thing, since the students’ access to school supplies, food, and other services is a lot easier.

However, according to the UP Charter (RA 9500), Section 22, letter (f):

“Any plan to generate revenues and other sources from land grants and other real properties entrusted to the national university shall be consistent with the academic mission and orientation of the national university as well as protect it from undue influence and control of commercial interests…”

Professor Taguiwalo said that the Ayala Land buildings in UP, specifically Technohub and Town Center, does not comply with this requirement. One building in Technohub is basically a call center, and another is a commercial establishment, like the recently opened UP Town Center. It seems that these buildings are not in any way 'consistent with the academic mission' of the university. Student regent Melgarejo even joked that the only thing that makes these establishments academics-related is the existence of the National Bookstore in the buildings. Taguiwalo said that the construction of these buildings by the private company is the beginning of privatization of education.

Mr. Magsanggol clearly stated in his speech that “privatization [of education] should not be done”, but he also said that, if it can’t be avoided, the utilization of the idled properties of UP can only be done if: (1) the assets will be preserved (will not be damaged); (2) there is transparency in the use of the income generated; (3) there is a student consultation before the project; and (4) the terms are in accordance with the UP Charter. Ms. Castro mentioned that the Technohub was constructed without student consultation.

In her presentation, professor Taguiwalo showed the picture below. It is the Land Use Plan of UP Diliman for the year 2011. Notice that 'science and technology park' and 'resource generation zone' (boxed in red) together occupies almost one third of the total land area of UP Diliman. Incidentally, these lands are where Technohub, Technopark and Town Center are located. Prof. Taguiwalo said that the projects failed to 'protect the university from undue influence and control of commercial interests.'

(Click to enlarge)
Source: Special Convocation with the Chancellor (iskwiki.upd.edu.ph)

Alex Castro said in her speech that President Noynoy's "Budget cut towards self-sufficiency" is the main culprit of the commercialization. The university will have to lease idle properties to private companies to generate it own funds that can't be provided by the government. However, she pointed out that the Town Center displaced UPIS which is obviously NOT an idled land. The Ayala paid P220 M for UPIS to be relocated somewhere else, but Castro noted that the amount is not enough.

Prof. Taguiwalo mentioned in her message that the government has no right to say "walang pera ang gobyerno", because after the pork barrel scam, she is certain that the government has the money to support UP and the other SUC's. She reiterated in her speech that we, as "iskolar ng bayan", should be part of the movements that are fighting for greater state subsidy. She said that even if we can afford to pay the increasing tuition fees, let us join these movements for our classmates and friends who are not capable of paying their education.

The three-hour talk can be summed up in the following words from Alex Castro: "Commercialization of education is NOT the solution."