TO FIX the disorderly parking habits of bikers in the University, the Office of the Vice Rector for Finance has decided to provide parking slots for motorcycles and bikes inside the campus.
In a memorandum last April 29, Fr. Manuel Roux O.P., vice rector for finance, designated spaces in front of the St. Martin de Porres and St. Raymund de Peñafort buildings and the Botanical Garden as parking slots for “in-bound” bicycles and motorcycles.
The back of the Benavides Building and UST Grandstand, and two portions of the space beside Roque Ruaño Drive were also reserved for bicycles and motorcycles.
Parking spaces for bicycles are open to students, employees, and visitors but motorcycles need to secure a sticker from the Office of Student Affairs. This is the same sticker issued to car owners in the University.
“Back then, there were no parking for motorcycles and bikes, so you can see motorcycles parked anywhere in the campus. It is good that they now have parking areas inside the University,” said Alfred Tagufa, UST head guard.
However, UST cannot be held liable in case a bicycle or motorcycle is stolen or lost, Tagufa said.
“(Nevertheless,) we will report it to the police if cases of stolen vehicles are reported,” he added.
While some guards supported the new policy, others fear the new directive might compromise the security of students inside the campus.
Lito Gomez, a security guard, expressed qualms over a compulsory requirement in the new directive that orders security guards to leave their bikes along Tamayo Drive, instead of bringing them near their assigned posts.
“There should be exceptions (to the rule) because in cases of emergency, we cannot go all the way to Tamayo Drive just to get to our bicycles,” Gomez said.
UST security Services chief Clemente Dingayan, for his part, downplayed such concerns, stressing that the new policy would not compromise students’ security.
“The parking of these bicycles would not be a risk to students as these also follow existing traffic rules in the campus,” Dingayan said.
