C5-Katipunan road widening project underway
by Candice Montenegro

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The Circumferential 5 (C5)-Katipunan road widening project is underway despite ongoing negotiations with the University of the Philippines (UP).

Engineer Reynaldo Tagudando of the Quezon City Second Engineering District of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said that the C5 project has been going on for the last 15 years.

“The C5 project aims to connect the North and South Expressways,” he said in a phone interview. “The area from University of the Philippines Integrated School to C.P. Garcia near Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) is next in line to be developed.”

Tagudando said that the road widening project cannot continue without a go signal from UP.

“After C.P. Garcia, the logical way is to pass through UP to get to Commonwealth Avenue, but we cannot proceed because UP has not yet agreed to let C5 pass through their campus,” he said. “It’s either we pass through UP or through Ayala Heights, but [the latter] is going to be harder to negotiate with.”

He also said that the squatter’s area along Balara could be the reason why UP cannot give them an answer.

“I think they’re afraid to get rid of the squatter’s area occupying their campus,” he said. “That’s actually where the road will pass through. Maybe they don’t want to upset the squatters because it could be a security hazard to their students.”

Tagudando also said that the project is taking so long to finish because of right-of-way issues and complaints from environmentalists.

"It’s always either the government cannot pay the owner of the properties for right-of-way or the environmentalists oppose us because we cut down trees,” he said. “That’s why if you’ll notice, we did not cut down the trees in front of the MWSS building.”

The road widening project is a joint effort of the DPWH and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Engineer Federico Castillo, MMDA chief of construction, said in a phone interview that the project will naturally cause build-up along the area.

“Expect heavier traffic,” he said. “At least three lanes will be added along MWSS, but if we cannot work on the road connecting to Commonwealth Avenue right away, there will be a bottleneck right before Ayala Heights.”

Loyola students react to suspension of classes
by Geru Gotico

QUEZON CITY, Philippine--Students from schools in Loyola have different reactions regarding the suspension of classes today and yesterday.

Defense Secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council chairman called off classes to all levels due to the high probability of heavy rain Supertyphoon Egay may cause.

Ateneo High School student Sas Pineda said the suspension of classes is convenient.

“I’m glad there are no classes,” he said. “I can rest from all the schoolwork.”

However, other students think the suspension of classes is too much.

“The suspension of classes isn’t really appropriate in some days, like yesterday (Thursday),” Ateneo College student Amor Macalalad said. “But there's nothing we can do about it since the officials decide what's best for us."

Miriam College student Steph Cuevas said she wants officials to be more accurate in determining the weather.

"The useless suspension greatly affects the academic system," she said. "I understand that the weather is unpredictable, but I hope officials would be more precise before announcing suspensions of classes."

Loyola shapes up before 'Egay' hits Manila

by Angela Santos

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Barangay Loyola Heights, home to a number of schools and commercial establishments, is preparing for Typhoon Egay’s impending approach.

“The effects of tropical storm Egay are not yet being felt,” said PAGASA senior forecaster Robert Sawi, according to the ABS-CBN News website. “The heavy rains we experienced [yesterday] were caused by the southwest monsoon.”

He said that Egay has yet to make a downfall and will cause rains in the country soon. Egay could head toward Taiwan in the next few days, dumping rain along the way, according to Inquirer.net.

Heavy traffic can be expected if Egay hits Manila soon. IRENE ESCUADRO.

In view of this, Barangay Loyola Heights is improving its flood control and traffic management, especially along Katipunan.

“We began clearing our drainages yesterday. They are clogged with garbage and that contributes to flooding,” said Barangay Security and Development Office (BSDO) representative Anthony Macariola. “Flooding remains the main problem here in Katipunan because it makes the traffic even worse.”

BSDO also looks out for other safety hazards such as falling tree branches and uprooted trees. “Those can block roads and cause heavy traffic, not to mention injure motorists and commuters,” says Macariola.

“We usually coordinate with Ateneo de Manila because they have the equipment to cut branches and transport trees that have fallen down. It takes more time for us to coordinate with the City Hall, so we coordinate with Ateneo instead.”

“Men for others”

“We do coordinate with the barangay when it comes to flood control and traffic management,” said Ateneo University Physical Plant (UPP) Administrator Leoncio Miralao. “Ateneo contributes heavily to the traffic, and we do our part to ease that.”

About 15,000 Ateneo students are on the road early morning and in the late afternoon.

Miralao said that the UPP personnel are also on the lookout for flooding in nearby areas, and not in Ateneo alone.

“We look at the Gate 2.5 bridge and see where we have flooding," he says. “We help clean the drainage even if it is outside Ateneo already. It’s more of public service than an obligation. We are being men for others, so to speak.”

Class suspension

As for the suspension of classes, Miriam College and Ateneo de Manila are on alert as early as the night before.

“Yesterday, we waited for the announcement of class suspension as early as 4 a.m., so we can announce it through our trunkline and make it easier for students,” said a Miriam college Administrative Services representative who refused to be named.

Both Kostka School and Miriam College rely solely on the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the suspension of classes.

Ateneo, on the other hand, consults with the Office of the Vice President.

“Even if CHED called off classes already, we make it a point to hear from the faculty first,” says Miralao. “The Office of the Vice President has the final say, so to speak.”

Be alert

Miralao advises residents to be on constant alert in this kind of weather.

“A lot of accidents happen because people are disoriented during this kind of weather. Be very vigilant. Look out for safety hazards such as slippery roads, uprooted trees and blocked roads,” he says.

“It’s not the responsibility of the police or the barangay alone,” he adds. “It is every individual’s responsibility to make sure he is safe under this kind of condition.”