PGH BMC to open canteen on UP Manila grounds
by Lian Gabrielle Inlong and Victoria Albitos
Following Philippine General Hospital Bayanihan Multi-purpose Cooperative (PGH BMC)’s announcement of setting up a canteen at the UP Manila (UPM) Dormitory, the university becomes a step closer to addressing the long-standing problem of having limited food concessionaires on campus.
The PGH BMC Board of Directors (BOD) said that the canteen is set to open on Feb. 14 and will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays.
According to Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Jose Tecson III, an al fresco dining area similar to those placed in the College of Arts and Sciences will be placed near the canteen to provide space for students.
UPM has long been plagued by a lack of student spaces. Given nearby stores’ expensive rates, students report difficulty finding budget-friendly food options.
“Studying [is] more difficult due to the minimal food options. Some people also opt to skip meals due to the hassle of restricting food options around the campus,” said BS Public Health freshman Kalea Oximas.
PGH BMC Canteen seeks to provide healthy, budget-friendly meals to students and faculty on campus. It intends to replicate the BMC canteen in PGH and serve meals ranging from P65 to P85. A suggestion box will be placed in the canteen for students to suggest improvements and request meals.
For students, this is a welcome alternative to buying fast food, or healthier but more expensive meals.
“[It takes] away part of the financial burden of being a student studying in Manila,” said BS Biology sophomore Jake Keifer Loquias.
PGH BMC emphasized the importance of patronizing and receiving feedback from the UPM community to the success of the canteen.
“We encourage the students to patronize the canteen and every outlet ng Bayanihan kasi, eventually, kapag kumikita na iyon, mayroon kaming mga proyekto na naka-line-up for the students din,” said Angelo Magbanua, a member of the PGH BMC BOD.
Should the canteen be successful, the BMC plans to partner with the Office of Student Affairs to provide discounted and eventually free meals for most underprivileged students. Plans to give students food stubs and jobs in the canteen are also in the works.
PGH BMC is a non-governmental organization composed of UP-PGH employees. The cooperative aims to give back to the UP-PGH community and aid its members in augmenting their salaries. Their previous projects include donating stretchers to PGH, funding newborn screening tests, and giving gift checks to employees.
After the UP Manila Dormitory canteen, PGH BMC plans to expand this soon in the Sports Science and Wellness Center and College of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy.
Though establishing the BMC canteen heeds the call for more food stalls, it is imperative, now more than ever, for students to keep demanding that #WeNeedSpace.
