ACCESS to higher education will soon become more accessible for the youth of Tondo with the completion of a new P400 million campus of the Universidad de Manila targeted for 2026.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the 1,500-square-meter UdM Vitas campus took place this October 17, on the former Vitas Skate Park site. The event was led by project proponent Congressman Rolando Valeriano (Manila 2nd District), together with Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo.

The upcoming UdM building will feature 10 storeys, 48 classrooms, 15 multi-function rooms, and a multipurpose gymnasium. The project is funded by a P400 million allocation from Congress.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo, una, kay Mayor Honey Lacuna at Vice Mayor Yul Servo dahil itinakda nila itong lote para sa Tondo campus ng Universidad de Manila sapagkat edukasyon ang pamanang handog nila sa mga kabataan ng Tondo. Walang proyekto kung walang lupang tatayuan ng college building ng UdM,” Valeriano said.

“We have a compassionate and wise mayor who knows how to manage the limited resources of the city. Wala sa karakter ni Mayor Honey Lacuna ang maging gastador, waldas, sugarol, at utang nang utang dahil alam niyang pera ng bayan at mga lupa ng Maynila ang responsibilidad niyang pangalagaan. Si Honey Lacuna ang mayor ko,” added Valeriano, who is Tondo-based.

He also expressed gratitude to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Appropriations Committee Chair Elizaldy Co, and their colleagues in the House and Senate for securing the P400 million funding.

Valeriano mentioned that the campus can be further enhanced with additional facilities and services in the future.

“Puwede naman pala. Puwede naman palang magpagawa ng maganda at malaking gusali na hindi galing sa utang,” Mayor Lacuna said during the event.