University News

Re-elected Univ President Muhi details infrastructure development plans for PUP

Joselle Bernard Fernandez, News, PUP Campus Journalists

Highlighting his infrastructure development plans, reappointed University President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi outlined his visions for the campus as he begins another four-year term of office on Monday, March 24, at the oath-taking ceremony held at the University Avenue in the presence of various faculty members, staff, and students in attendance.

Also present in Muhi’s oath-taking were Executive Committee officials, with Prof. Alberto C. Guillo, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Planning and Finance, Rodrigo R. Quilingan, PUP Unyon ng Nagkakaisang Kawani (UNAKA) President, and John Andrew Dela Cruz, PUP Education on Wheels student, expressing their warmest greetings for the second term of President Muhi.

Among the infrastructure projects that Muhi plans for his next term are the construction of a new dormitory (Condotel Building B) at PUP Oval, a student center, and the installation of footbridges connecting the buildings to the Philippine National Railway (PNR) Sta. Mesa Station, which he believes will enhance the quality of education that PUP offers for students.

Improving infrastructures in PUP
Muhi, a civil engineer by profession, said that among the many plans of his administration for the whole PUP system is to prioritize infrastructure development across all PUP campuses.

“Isa sa mga programs natin is ’yong improvement ng mga facilities, mga laboratories not only on the main campus but also sa mga campuses na outside Sta. Mesa,” he said.

(One of the programs that we have is the improvement of the facilities and laboratories not only on the main campus but also on the campuses outside Sta. Mesa.)

According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), seven projects are currently ongoing within the University, including the renovation of the main building in the Sta. Mesa Campus, which started its construction in 2021, and the construction of the Open University System (OUS) building, a four-story structure expected to be completed by July or August this year.

Ongoing works are also underway for the new extension of the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) building, which would be located between the antique house and the current CEA building, consolidating all engineering, technology, and science courses.

“’Yang Engineering, Architecture [building] na ’yan, gagawin nating parang Science, Engineering and Technology Hub ’yan. Diyan na lang natin lahat sila pagsasama-samahin para andoon ’yong grupo ng mga researchers,” Muhi stated.

(The Engineering, Architecture [building], we will make them as a Science, Engineering and Technology Hub where we will put them together so researchers will be grouped there.)

Convenient and accessible infrastructures
Muli also added his plans to establish a new dormitory (Condotel Building B) on the oval grounds of PUP Main Campus, which has an ongoing market study on the PUP Student Information System (SIS) as of writing, to get the student’s insight in the planning and actual construction of the proposed project.

Muhi said that this initiative aims to enhance the convenience and accessibility for students attending classes at the campus in the coming years.

Moreover, he also plans to renovate the old PUP Condotel located near the CEA building once “issues with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) have been settled.”

Also, he sees the creation of a new six-story student center that would cater to all student services.

Furthermore, Muhi said he is also studying the plan to create linkages that would be accessible to its workers and students—connecting the buildings up to the PNR Sta. Mesa Station through footbridges.

“Actually isang plano ko pa ay ang interconnectivity of the buildings so yung West wing ay ikokonekta sa gagawin nating Union ng mga Mag-aaral (Student Center),” he added.

(Actually, one more plan I have is the interconnectivity of the buildings, so the west wing will be connected to the Student Center we will make.)

High hopes
Muhi said he will be closely monitoring the progress of these infrastructure projects and that he expects them to be completed and constructed during his term.

“I am hoping that during my second term, ay matapos lahat ng ito (these projects will all be completed),” he said.

As hybrid learning is still ongoing due to the lack of classrooms and facilities at the University, he believes that these projects will not only address this issue but also significantly enhance the quality of education for students.

Additionally, he mentioned that funds had already been allocated for the projects, and some are still in the process of seeking funding. “Ginagawan natin ng paraan pero yung iba meron ng [nakalaan].”

(We are finding ways, but some of it were already allocated)

“Marami tayong kailangang gawin, gustong gawin para makapagbigay ng kalidad na edukasyon para sa mas maraming kabataan na gustong mag-aral sa ating Sintang Paaralan… Sa tulong ng bawat isa, kayang-kaya natin makamit ang mataas na antas ng tagumpay,” he said.

(We have a lot of things to do to give a quality education to each student who aspires to study on this beloved campus… We can achieve a higher level of success with each other’s help.)