The University of the Philippines (UP) administration has ordered vendors to vacate their stalls at the Old Tennis Court to make way for a parking lot for the new DiliMall project, sparking protests from the vendor community and raising questions about the university’s priorities.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (OVCPD) issued the eviction order earlier in August, giving vendors little notice to leave their longtime places of business. 

Francesca Duran, the newly appointed student regent, criticized the administration’s actions in a protest rally on Aug. 20, saying, “Banta sa kaligtasan at kabuhayan ang patuloy na pagpapaalis ng administrasyon ng UP.” 

Duran’s statement reflects the concerns within the UP community about the DiliMall project, which many see as a sign of the university’s shift toward commercialization, undermining its mission of public service. 

As corporations and military interests encroach on campus spaces, UP’s priorities are being questioned. 

The protests have brought students and vendors together, urging the administration to rethink its plans and prioritize community needs over commercial interests. 

Edward Fernando, president of the UP Shopping Center Stall Owners Association, voiced fears that the DiliMall project could exclude students and harm vendor livelihoods. 

In March, UP President Angelo Jimenez said that vendors have been given opportunities to occupy the new building at affordable rates. 

In a dialogue with student representatives, he acknowledged the concerns raised about the displacement of original stall owners and the lack of consultation with affected sectors. 

The recent demonstrations have brought together various student organizations, including UP Sinagbayan, Aklasan, and Alay Sining, in a show of solidarity with the vendor community. 

The protesters are calling for the rights of the UP community to be respected and for the administration to engage in meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the proposed ₱2.4 billion budget cut, part of the 2025 National Expenditure Program under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has also raised alarms among students. 

They argue that the government must adequately fund schools and universities to maintain educational standards. 

Students protested, urging the government to fund schools and universities to ensure accessible and quality education across the country.

Additionally, students voiced their opposition to the military’s increased presence on campus, following Jimenez’s signing of a Declaration of Cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.