As a massive infrastructure program pushes through, UP vendors criticized the lack of concrete plans of the UP administration to alleviate their possible loss of livelihood.

Barricades were placed within kiosks in front of the Engineering building of the UP Main Library (Gonzalez Hall) last January 29 in line with the planned construction of a public restroom in the area.

Samahan ng mga Manininda sa UP Campus (SMUPC) President Narry Hernandez said that they were not given prior notice by the development management office under Dr. Elvira A. Zamora.

“Wala kaming na-receive even a letter or call from Vice Chancellor’s [for Planning and Development] Office,” Hernandez recalled. “Even yung opisina raw ni VC [Dr. Raquel B. Florendo] ay hindi alam. Ang project nga kasi ay under system. Diliman kasi si VC Florendo. Kaya ayon, nagkagulatan.”

The UP Master Development Plan (UPMDP) is a policy document in compliance with the UP Strategic Plan and the UP Development Principles and Design Guidelines, which allegedly aims to develop the University’s real estate assets in a well-planned and organized manner,” yet it has resulted in residents of different areas in the university becoming under the threat of displacement.

According to Hernandez, the sectors of UP vendors will support the plan as long as the system will provide them proper relocations.

“Hindi naman kami tutol sa plano ng administrasyon lalo na sa kung usapin ito ng pagpapaganda at ikabubuti,” he said. “Ang sinasabi lang talaga namin ay maayos na pag-uusap sa pagitan ng administrasyon at sa aming hanay.”

In February this year, VC Florendo had a phone call dialogue with Hernandez informing him that there will be a temporary relocation place for them near the Main Library while the management deliberate their place for renovation.

“Parang sinabi [niya] tatayuan kami ng temporary relocation within this area. Habang binoboard up, andito kami sa kabilang side na malapit lang dito,” Hernandez said, emphasizing that the relocation plan for them was only in a form of conversation between him and Florendo.

Last December, the management suggested relocating them in Fernandez Street, but they opposed it pointing out security threats.

“Sa Fernandez Street, walang kasiguruhan ang aming paninda…Posibleng manakawan [at] maulanan [kami]. Kailangan naming magkaroon din ng garantiya,” Hernandez explained after adding the struggle they face just to borrow money for their rent.

Hassle among students

Other than UP Kiosk owners, students also see the unstable relocation of the vendors as a serious concern because of the inaccessibility that it may cause.

“Hindi matatawag na progress ang bagay kapag may mga taong nawalan ng kabuhayan para do’n [sa construction],” said Ericka Mae P. Penido, a BS Mining Engineering freshman.

As an Engineering student who had classes both in Melchor Hall and Palma Hall before, she said that, “very convenient [ang kiosk] lalo na kapag walang malaking time interval sa klase tapos di pa nakakapag lunch. Mas okay sa kiosk kasi nakakatipid pa.”