Students have always cited the lack of parking spaces in the Ateneo as a major University concern.

What factors make for such a sentiment? What are the contending views on the matter? EVERY morning, hundreds of cars create a localized traffic jam in the Katipunan area as Ateneans rush for classes, an episode repeated every afternoon. While some of these vehicles are only there to drop off and pick up passengers, many of them, students and faculty alike, park their cars on one of the Universitys seven major parking areas. As the new school year approaches, and with the continued expansion of the University and its population, there now exists the problem on how to deal with this apparent parking space shortage. However, Ateneans disagree not just on the solution to the problem, but on the existence of the problem itself. On one hand, Martin Medina (IV-BS LM), thinks there is a shortage. I think there isn't enough parking because it is always a struggle to look for parking, Medina said referencing the amount of time student-driven cars go around campus to find a slot. He then continues with a jab at another hot issue with regards to campus parking, saying I also don't approve of the faculty parking being paved and the student parking being dirt lang. On the solution to the problem; asked about constructing elevated parking buildings on these high-demand parking areas, he gives his approval, citing how this can solve the shortage of parking areas. On the other hand, Rafael Rubio (III-AB EC), believes that there is no such shortage, saying that Id say there seems to be enough. [Its just that] some are just really more preferred due to factors such as distance and ease of access to wherever the student needs to go. He continues, If youll notice, the parking in front of Katipunan, and Cornfield is not filled up, unlike the SOM and East (near SEC) parking areas. Some people just want convenience. When asked about constructing elevated parking buildings on these high-demand parking areas, he says he opposes the plan, citing added expenditures and effects on traffic during construction as his reasons. Another problem is the lack of adequate public transport to the campus. While the tricycles have filled this role for years, long lines every morning and the pollution costs (both to the passenger and the environment) show that a new approach is necessary. Recently, however, a new initiative by the Ateneo Sanggunian is surveying on a proposal to remove tricycles altogether from the Katipunan-Ateneo area, something that could mean more students riding cars into campus.

The Ateneo could also do another approach and issue both a limit on the parking stickers per student and increase its price from its current Php 700. However, both students interviewed believe that since most of the Ateneans who drive cars to school belong to the upper class, an increase in prices would just invite opposition and inquiry, but not have an actual effect as these students can afford it. A limit already exists, limiting each student to three stickers. Crime is another issue. The safety of walking in the Katipunan area, or even Metro Manila in general, also convinces well-to-do parents to just send their children by personal car. The root of the problem seems exactly this: since many students and staff can afford using a vehicle to school, many will do so. For many, the traffic and parking trouble caused by using a car easily trumps the inconvenience and safety risk of walking and commuting. The parking problem is simply a manifestation of this bigger issue.

What are the consequences and implications of San Miguels recent takeover of Philippine Airlines on the countrys aviation industry? PHILIPPINE Airlines had seen better days. In its heyday in the 1980s, the airline flew to more than 75 international destinations, including New York, Paris, Madrid, and Zurich. Today, it's a company that lists $14.3 million loss as a corporate milestone and flies to only 29. Recent years saw the countrys flag carrier being mired in bad publicity. In 2011, 300 ground employees went to strike over the airlines plans to terminate them in favor of outsourcing them to another company. The incident damaged the airlines credibility, with thousands of passengers stranded. It has also been ousted as the countrys largest airline, having been surpassed by the Gokongwei-owned budget carrier, Cebu Pacific. Unlike other Asian flag carriers, like Turkish Airways, Vietnam Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia, which have all seen massive revitalization, Philippine Airlines (PAL) continues to struggle with an aging fleet and a shaky list of offered destinations. With an unstable budget, the entry of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) offers PAL fresh capital, and perhaps, a new direction. SMC has invested up to $500 million into the company, translating into a 49% controlling stake in PAL. Several airline executives have offered courtesy resignations from the company, offers San Miguel happily accepted, with San Miguel President Ramon S. Ang taking over as new Airline chief. Former PAL Chairman Jaime Bautista will retain his seat on the nowSMC-dominated board.

Sen. Sergio Osmea III, chairman of the Senate committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, has a positive assessment of the takeover. In an interview with the Manila Times, Osmea said, The larger the capital made available, the more planes will be deployed and the more flights the riding public will enjoy. He also believes that SMCs entry will help revitalize the countrys air industry and bring the sector back to Category one status of the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). The FAA downgraded the Philippines to Category 2 in 2008, which resulted in a tourismdamaging limit on the number of flights between the country and the US. Airline credibility is not the only problem PALs new management has to face. The labor issues, which plagued PAL last year, remain on the table. On April 24, the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) released a statement asking the new management to put labor issues first and reinstate the terminated workers, saying The new management of Philippine Airlines (PAL) should recognize that the solution to the flag carriers woes involves not only need a refleeting of its aging aircraft but more so the reinstatement of its skilled regular workers. The new management has yet to release a statement on how it plans to integrate these labor issues with its revitalization plan. However, if it is any indicator, investors agreed with Osmeas statement. Voting with their wallets, PAL stock jumped by as much as 15% when news of the takeover broke out. SMC stocks also rose, though by a more modest 1%. In a statement to the press, billionaire Lucio Tan, who was the previous majority owner of the airline, said, The new investment will allow the two airlines to strengthen operations and stay competitive with the implementation of PAL and AirPhil's fleet modernization. Both the investors and the workers are hoping for the best.