TYPHOON “CARINA” and the intensified southwest monsoon left no significant damage to UST structures but caused water to leak from ceilings, according to the Facilities Management Office (FMO).
FMO Director Fr. Dexter Austria, O.P. told the Varsitarian that several buildings at UST experienced ceiling leaks aside from floodwater intrusion on the ground floors and elevators.
“Ceiling leaks were mainly observed, and flood waters reached the building’s ground floor,” he told the Varsitarian. “[There is] no major damage in terms of physical infrastructure.”
Among the structures affected was the San Martin de Porres Building, specifically its third floor where the College of Nursing is located, according to Austria.
The 12th floor of the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building, housing the radio and television studios of the Communications Bureau, also experienced rainwater leaks.
The FMO director said some rooms of the College of Information and Computing Sciences at the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building were also affected.
Wednesday’s heavy flooding left debris and trash on UST’s roads and inside its buildings.
UST has suspended onsite classes and work until Saturday, July 27, to allow maintenance personnel to proceed with the “campus clean-up.” Support staff and officials may opt to report onsite on Friday and Saturday.
In a memorandum, UST said online enrollment will resume on July 30 and will be open until Aug. 7. Onsite advising for irregular students will reopen on July 29, with online advising sessions available for students unable to travel to Sampaloc.
UST also urged Thomasians to take caution against leptospirosis, which can be transmitted through floodwaters contaminated with bodily fluids of infected animals, such as rats.
Students were advised to book an online medical consultation through the Thomasian Online Medical Services and Support (ThoMedSS) for leptospirosis prophylaxis, 24 to 72 hours after exposure to floodwaters.
“Measures are being undertaken to ensure that our stakeholders are able to attend to their personal concerns at this time,” the University said through the Office of the Secretary General.
