THE UNIVERSITY administration and nearby communities around the campus have formed themselves into a citizens’ watchdog group to check crimes in the Sampaloc district.
The Sampaloc-UST Neighborhood Watch was formed on the initiative of UST last June 27, said Fr. Manuel Roux, O.P., vice rector for finance.
The association consists of school and business leaders, police officers, and barangay sentries around España Boulevard, Lacson Avenue, and P. Noval and Dapitan Streets.
It aims to provide safety and security for Thomasians in and around the campus.
The association was inspired by the Filipino values of bayanihan, kabutihang-loob, pagmamalasakit, and pagkakaisa, said Father Roux, who also heads the University’s Crisis Management Office.
“Before, we only think of the Crisis Management Committee in responding to calamities like floods, earthquakes or fire,” added Roux. “We realized that we need to expand the role of the committee by providing [safety and security] not only in the time of calamities but [also] in the everyday ordinary lives of students.”
Members of the board are Carl Balita, who runs a review center in España, as chair; Chito Chavez of Tinapayan Festival in Dapitan as co-chair; UST’s Facilities Management Office Director Fr. Robert Pinto, O.P. as secretary general; and Dr. Jon Abaquin of myDorm Inc. as treasurer.
The members of the advisory council are Arsenio Padilla of Golden Success Realty, Cynthia Gonzaga of University Tower Manila, Sis. Lorenza Sajul, O.P. of Sta. Catalina’s Ladies Residence, and David Serapio of Residencia Medica (A&E Building). Lord Bien G. Lelay
