MANILA, Philippines - The rector of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) yesterday opposed the plan of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to build a flyover on the intersection of Lacson Avenue and España Boulevard, saying the noise of passing vehicles would disrupt classes.
Fr. Rolando de la Rosa said the DPWH wrote a letter informing the school of its plans to build the overhead structure and that the canopy of the UST Charity Hospital would be affected.
“I think they plan on building a flyover as high as our engineering building (which is five stories high),” De la Rosa said.
“Once they start the construction, there would be traffic. What will happen to our patients? This (Lacson Avenue) is where the ambulances enter and exit,” he said.
He also raised concern that the road under the flyover would no longer be maintained, as what happened to the roads under the Light Rail Transit.
De la Rosa said the government should consider the significance of the university. “The UST is a national treasure and a heritage site. This has been declared by the government so the beauty of its surroundings should also be protected,” he said.
He appealed to the DPWH to consider other options like using the parallel street.
He also called on Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim to limit the height of buildings being constructed around the university.
“When you take pictures of the UST, it would now appear as if there are two horns because of the high rise buildings. The school loses its historical value,” he said.
He said the presence of more establishments would also affect water supply in the area.