• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The proposed 55-hectare Granada Campus of the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod, which aims to help address the limited space in its main site, will feature zones for academic, information technology, food and hospitality, biodiversity, and model farm, as well as the Bahay Pag-asa Youth Center.
The USLS said it has experienced “a consistent increase in student population” over the past decade, and the main campus at La Salle Avenue in Villamonte “is nearing full capacity and is constrained by limited space for expansion”.
The Granada Campus provides the necessary land area to accommodate future growth, new programs, and state-of-the-art facilities, it added in the project description for scoping (PDS) made public by the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau Sept. 10.
The proposed campus also supports the local government’s land use and development goals, by promoting decentralization. “Shifting academic and institutional functions to Barangay Granada will help decongest traffic and population density in the central city while fostering balanced urban-rural development.”
The USLS said it envisions the proposed campus to integrate eco-friendly infrastructure, renewable energy technologies, and resource-efficient systems. “Barangay Granada, characterized by its relatively pristine environment and agricultural setting, offers a unique opportunity to create a living, learning, and research environment; and provides an ideal backdrop for biodiversity conservation, agroecology, and experiential education.”
Of the 55-hectare development, the USLS proposes that about 15 hectares, or 27.5 percent, will be for the model farm component, including an agritech institute, greenhouse/farmhouse, student farms/field laboratories, orchards, animal husbandry, and a sugarcane plantation, among others.
“The model farm zone will demonstrate sustainable and climate-smart agriculture, offering practical training for students, and outreach activities for farmers and cooperatives. The integration of organic farming, and soil and water conservation technologies will reduce environmental impacts and promote food security,” per the PDS.
The proposed campus considers environmental safeguards and green open spaces. “The project is envisioned to be a model of environmentally sound campus development that harmonizes academic excellence with sustainability, social responsibility, and community development.”
The inclusion of the Bahay Pag-asa Youth Center, on the other hand, aims to strengthen USLS’ commitment to social justice and youth empowerment. “This facility will provide shelter, education, and psychosocial support to children in conflict with the law, promoting restorative justice and community reintegration.”
Already established in the area is the 10-hectare USLS Granada Ecological Park. A groundbreaking ceremony for the Granada Chapel, meanwhile, was held April 25, and a road construction project kickoff Feb. 25.
The DENR-EMB in Western Visayas has scheduled a public scoping for the proposed campus on Sept. 23, starting at 9:30 a.m., at the barangay gymnasium.
It urged stakeholders to provide inputs during the public scoping, which is an early stage in the environmental impact assessment process, and is one of the provisos in applying for an environmental compliance certificate.
In the public scoping, the DENR-EMB said a project proponent would provide an overview of the proposed project to stakeholders, and gather inputs and other concerns in preparation for an Environmental Impact Statement that is also part of the ECC application. | CGC
