Dr. Michael L. Tan
Chancellor, UP Diliman
March 9, 2018

There was a fire yesterday at the UP Shopping Center (SC) that started around 7 am, with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) declaring fire out at 8:54 am.

Thanks to the quick responses of the BFP, and UP Diliman’s security, maintenance and various service offices, there were no injuries or casualties.  The fire was kept within the SC even as our agencies secured a nearby dorm and shops, UP’s Accounting, Budget and Cash offices, and two banks.  People were evacuated and crowd control was fairly successful.

The damage was extensive, affecting 48 concessionaires providing the UP community with many essential services such as photocopying, food, groceries, and grooming, among others.  The SC was built 1970, and had just been renovated last year.

As the BFP conducts an investigation into the cause of the fire, we are working to immediately relocate the concessionaires, especially those providing essential services.   An emergency meeting was convened that same morning with the deans, directors and the Student Council to find both short-term and long-term solutions to the problems.  The emphasis was on further strengthening disaster responses.  Student concerns around their books, term papers and theses being burned in the fire are being addressed.

Another meeting with held with the UP President, Danilo Concepcion, who assured full support for rehabilitation.

Administrators then met with all the concessionaires to work out relocation plans and to recover whatever can be salvaged.

UP Diliman grieves the loss of an iconic structure.  We will keep the public  informed of new developments.