FOR TWO decades, the UST Multi-Deck Parking (MDP) Building has served more than its purpose as a parking facility. It became a regular stop for Thomasians looking for quick and affordable meals between classes.
By mid-November, however, food stalls and eateries inside the car park will have to close following the expiration of the agreement between UST and Selegna Holdings Corp., the private contractor and operator of the MDP.
An Oct. 21 memorandum from Avent Holdings Corp., obtained by the Varsitarian, cited the termination of lease agreements and laid out a timeline for tenants to vacate their spaces.
Concessionaires were told to settle outstanding dues by Oct. 30 and process gate passes for equipment pull-outs from Nov. 8 to 15.
“Operations shall cease on or before Nov. 15, 2025,” the memorandum read.
Although no public document details Avent Holdings’ role in the car park management, records had shown that it had the same shareholders as Selegna Holdings.
Selegna Holdings has managed the MDP since its opening in 2004, but sought corporate rehabilitation in 2006, leading to legal proceedings with UST and its creditors.
It entered a compromise agreement with the University in 2015.
The University will take full management of the car park after the turnover, with rehabilitation efforts led by UST’s Facilities Management Office (FMO).
READ: UST set to take over, inspect car park as extended contract with private operator ends
With concessionaires set to leave, some vendors said they had yet to receive updates on what’s next.
“Hindi pa po namin alam. Hindi pa po sila nagbibigay ng abiso,” a food stall vendor said. “Wala po kaming magawa.”
Selegna Holdings declined a request from the Varsitarian for comment.
Car park’s condition
As the MDP prepares for turnover, long-time concessionaires expressed frustrations over the deterioration of the car park.
Concessionaires who requested anonymity said they often had to contend with clogged drains, poor air ventilation, and leaks.
Waste materials such as paper, plastic wrappers, and food debris often accumulated in the drainage system, causing water to overflow and seep into the lower levels of the structure.
“Noong nakaraan kasi timing na marami ‘yong estudyante.. saka siya aapaw,” they said. “Nakakahiya sa mga estudyante kasi mabaho. Mabaho po ‘yong tubig na lumalabas.”
Tenants also pointed to the deteriorating state of the car park’s interior, citing the need for structural repairs and improved ventilation.
“Dito, talagang mainit. Atsaka makikita mo naman din ‘yong ibang hallway dito, may cracks na rin,” said Bacsilog food stall vendor Cyrus Medrano.
He said maintaining proper facilities was crucial, especially as earthquakes have become more frequent in recent years.
Vendors expressed concern that visible cracks and signs of wear inside the structure could pose risks if left unattended.
“Sobrang importante [na ma-maintain] kasi mayroon na ngayong lindol, e. Kapag may kaunting crack lang, kakabahan ka talaga,” Medrano said.
The MDP houses some 25 food concessionaires, occupying two levels of the four-story building.
Convenience and accessibility
As concessionaires prepare to vacate, students brace for the impact of the carpark turnover on campus convenience and accessibility.
For Pharmacy students Ronilen Tababa and Althea Menor, food stalls at the car park are a convenient and budget-friendly option.
“Ako kasi pag [naka-budget], usually since student ako and a dormer din, kapag budgeted lang ‘yong allowance ko, dito ako pumupunta kasi dito ‘yong medyo mura. Kasi ‘yong ibang stalls here, hindi na siya student-friendly for me,” Tababa said.
“Kapag nagba-budget din, mostly sa Ate Rica’s Bacsilog ‘yong binibili ko. And good na rin siya for a student price kasi meal na rin siya. Tapos ‘yong iba rin, tulad nung sa Potpot, parang okay na rin siya as merienda,” Menor said.
While the car park offers convenience and budget-friendly options, students pointed to challenges with the facility itself, particularly concerning comfort and maintenance.
“Madalas ‘yong sa temperature. Since ‘yon nga, we’re in the Philippines, so naturally mainit na siya,” Tababa said. “No, I don’t think it’s maintained. Even the parking itself, hindi rin siya maintained.”
Menor said, “Same din na sobrang init dito tapos parang kulang talaga siya sa ventilation. Tapos ‘yong parang sobrang dilim din if ever man gumabi.”.
While the memorandum announced the end of tenant operations, FMO Director Fr. Dexter Austria, O.P., said arrangements could still be made to continue certain services within the carpark.
Austria told the Varsitarian the University would temporarily assume management of the building, with food concessionaires to be placed under the supervision of the Office of the Vice Rector for Finance.
