Atienza gives ultimatum on campus site

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza gave conservationist groups seeking to stop the City College of Manila (CCM) construction at the Mehan garden a two-week ultimatum to secure their proposed alternative site in Intramuros, or else the controversial project will push through with no more looking back.

"We cannot wait indefinitely. This project has been approved by the city council and there are no legal impediments. We have to continue with our development plans for the city," said Atienza in a statement.

The City mayor said that no breakthrough is made within two weeks, then "the city government would have no choice but to continue the construction."

The P180-million construction of the CCM and the Park and Ride complex at the 26,000-sq.m. Mehan botanical garden and parking lot of the Metropolitan Theater have been the object of conflict between the Manila City hall and conservationists for the last month.

The Manila City government has since accepted the Ateneo site as the best alternative, but said it cannot wait for conservationists for too long.

"We are excited over the prospect of relocating the CCM campus to Intramuros but this has to be resolved soon because we have to prepare for the next year’s enrollment of CCM students," he said. – Jose Aravilla