By Rio N. Araja

Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando vowed to clean up the surroundings of Manuel L. Quezon University in Quiapo district to help the school boost its dwindling student population.

He expressed alarm after learning that enrolment figures dipped by up to 22,000 since 2007.

Fernando said Candido Dizon, MLQU vice president for planning and development, is saddened by the decay of the historic Felix R. Hidalgo and Arlegui streets, in the quaint neighborhood that harbored a photographers’ haven.

He said school authorities cited the proliferation of snatchers, pickpockets and other criminals as well as the flooding from clogged waterways.

“Through Secretary Bayani Fernando, we have every expectation that change will truly come to R. Hidalgo,” Dizon said.

He said students are forced to walk in the middle of the street due to street dwellers and stalled vehicles occupying the sidewalks.

While the Administration Building, Research Center and Monzon Hall are on Hidalgo Street, the School of Law is on Arlegui.

Fernando said the faculty had an “exceedingly difficult” time to educate students to become responsive and productive citizens because the “dirty surroundings” were not conducive to learning.

He directed the Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group to coordinate with Mayor Alfredo Lim on an orderly cleanup, and with Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral on the handling of displaced settlers.

The washup list includes removing illegal vending sites, eateries, makeshift stalls and notary public desks on sidewalks; unclogging of Quiapo de Estero and improvement of drainages; enforcing traffic reduction schemes; eviction of squatters; street and sidewalk rehabilitation and beautification.