Vendors and students of the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman community gathered and protested once more in Area 2 to oppose the scheduled “clearing operation” on August 19. Vendors who put up stalls in the campus’ Old Tennis Court faced a threat of eviction that day. The UP Not for Sale Network and Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (Stand UP) led the action.

In a letter dated August 5, the UP Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (OVCPD) informed the vendors of the operation to pave the way for the commercialized and pro-big business DiliMall parking lot project.

Following this, the Department of Public Works and Highways also sent a warning to some members of the UP Shopping Center Stallholders Association (UPSCSAI) to vacate their stalls. They were given only until August 18 and were told that their posts would be fenced off by August 19.

“We have long been fighting, we have been talking with UP for more than six years, engaging in nothing but talks… now, we can’t understand why they are harassing us,” Edward Fernando, president of the association, said in an interview with Tinig ng Plaridel newspaper.

The operation is linked to the previous “clearing operation” on April 22 in Area 2. On that occasion, local agencies confiscated and scattered vendors’ paraphernalia, including stalls, tables, chairs, plants and signs, because they allegedly overstepped the designated area covered by their stores.

Francesca Duran, newly selected UP student regent, said these operations pave the way for private corporations to lease UP to the detriment of the safety and livelihood of UP residents.

Narry Hernandez of the Samahan ng mga Manininda sa UP Campus called for the UP administration to conduct a proper and extensive consultation with members of the UP community in this regard. She added that the UP community should be benefit from services that are not commercialized.

CBMS Retail Business Development Consultancy will operate the soon-to-be constructed DiliMall. PowerMac, UCC, Robinsons and other profit-seeking big businesses are set to occupy the said mall. UP-Diliman’s democratic sectors have long asserted that on-campus services should be kept affordable rather than commercialized.