UP Diliman official to students without dorm spaces: You will have place to stay

University of the Philippines-Diliman chancellor Michael Tan on Friday assured students who could not be admitted in UP campus dormitories that they will have a place to stay.

In an interview with "News To Go," Tan said the Protestant church and the Church of the Risen Lord inside the campus are among the places that could accommodate the students.

"Nakahanda naman ang university na kung walang dorm, walang mapuntahan, nakahanda 'yung Protestant church, 'yung Church of the Risen Lord, at ilang alumni na nakahandang mag-ampon sa kanila," he said.

He belied claims that all of those who were camping out in front of UP's Kalayaan Hall—as shown in a photo shared on social media—were in need of housing.

"Hindi, hindi iyan totoo. May nag-vigil kasi na [ibang] mga estudyante, parang solidarity vigil. Pero 'yung mga wala namang dorm [doon], hindi naman klaro kasi 'yung sabi ng grupo ng mga estudyante, marami raw sila," he said.

Also, he said his office is still waiting for the list of students who would need housing.

'Shortfall'

Tan admitted that the lack of spaces at dormitories in the campus is a yearly problem at the beginning of the academic year.

"Aaminin ko na taon-taon naman ito," he said. "We have 24,000 students, the number of dorm [rooms] is 3,600... Let's say 20 percent ang may kailangan ng dorm. One-fifth of that, mga 5,000 pa rin. May shortfall pa tayo na 1,500 ngayon."

He pointed out that no new dormitories were built between 1970 and 2000, after which only two have been constructed, accommodating a total of 400 students.

Another factor is the decrease in "no-show rate," or the number of students who passed and enrolled at UP, but did not push through because of financial considerations.

"Ngayon mas marami nang natutuloy kasi mas marami na ang options," he said.

More applicants

There are at least nine dormitories in UP Diliman campus, with rental rates ranging from P250 to P7,000 monthly.

But there are certain rules for admitting students, including socio-economic status, home province, and other circumstances such as a family member who is ill.

Also, Tan said the admission process in dormitories this academeic year is slower compared to previous years because the number of applicants has increased.

"Dapat you put things in perspective, kasi every year nga, laging may shortfall. This year nag-amplify kasi slower 'yung processing," he said. — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/LBG, GMA News