Ateneo Online Bulletin: Situation Report 13 July 2009

Situation Report 13 July 2009

date posted: 2009-07-14 10:43:42

POWER: Upgrading of the Loyola Heights campus power distribution infrastructure to support new facilities is ongoing. Much was done in the summer but the following remains to be done:

1. For the 34.5KV loop distribution system of the Katipunan grid:

· Installation of new cable from Gate 3 to the new library.

· Installation of cable from the new Library to PLDT and JGSOM transformers.

· Modify distribution lines to the Science Education Complex buildings A, B and C.

· Installation of duct line and cables from new Rizal Library to Faura Hall.

· Install new 500/750KVA transformer for Faura, Schmitt, PIPAC at the Faura Hall transformer vault.

· Install new secondary lines for Schmitt Hall, PIPAC and Faura Hall.

For Balara grid 5KV cables

· Wire and voltage phasing of new 5KVA cables and old cable at all oil switches, vacuum switches and transformer stations.

The efficient use of power on campus is also being improved. Higher efficiency in the use of power is achieved when power factor capacitors are installed in buildings on campus. This in turn is given proportionate discount (maximum of 4.5% discount) by Meralco. Shown below is the comparative efficiency of the three grids at the Loyola Heights campus.

Balara Grid

Period of Billing	Power Factor	Primary Discount
25 Mar to 25 Apr 09	98.60%	4.08%
25 Apr to 25 May 09	99.45%	4.34%
25 May to 24 Jun 09	99.64%	4.39%

Barangka Grid

Period of Billing	Power Factor	Primary Discount
25 Mar to 25 Apr 09	96.20%	3.36%
25 Apr to 25 May 09	94.34%	2.80%
25 May to 24 Jun 09	94.36%	2.81%

Katipunan Grid

Period of Billing	Power Factor	Primary Discount
25 Mar to 25 Apr 09	99.90%	4.47%
25 Apr to 25 May 09	99.81%	4.44%
25 May to 24 Jun 09	99.71%	4.41%

Meralco’s discount for power factor is fairly substantial given the cost of electricity and is a key component in the power cost reduction program. As can be seen in the tables above, several buildings in the Barangka grid need more power factor capacitors as they pull down the total power use efficiency of the grid.

TRAFFIC: The incidence of accidents along Katipunan Avenue and on campus has decreased but still needs attention. On campus, a driver of a Loyola Schools freshman crossing University Avenue at pedestrian lane near Fr. Arrupe Road was sideswiped by an ABS-CBN pick-up at 8:10 p.m. last Friday night, 10 July. The driver of the vehicle was not even aware that he had hit a pedestrian and had to be intercepted by the guards. The vehicle involved and license of the driver is shown below:

The victim (shown below) was taken by campus security to Quirino Memorial Medical Center for treatment of a head wound he incurred. The ABS-CBN driver shared with the employer of the victim the medical bill incurred.

At 10:10 yesterday morning, 13 July a Loyola Schools student’s vehicle making a u-turn below the Gate 2.5 footbridge was bumped by a speeding southbound truck. Damage as shown in the pictures below was substantial but no injuries to occupants.

PARKING: Problems with parking is confined to:

Congestion several times during the day before and during dismissal of the Grade School.
There is limited parking near buildings in the college complex.
Problems have been reported regarding some students parking in faculty parking and some faculty members parking in parking areas designated for students

The community should know that:

Gate pass stickers are mainly for access on campus and allow vehicles to go anywhere on campus.
The gate pass sticker allows the holder of the gate pass long term (all morning or afternoon) parking at designated parking areas of the unit the sticker belongs to.
Short time/limited parking is allowed on another unit’s parking area for official business such as meetings or fetching of students with the following limitations:

· Parking is not allowed in School Service/bus designated parking area.

· Parking is not allowed at faculty parking area or Parent Volunteer Marshal parking area (even for faculty member of another school unit).

· Parking is limited i.e., immediately before dismissal time of the student to be fetched and should not exceed 45 minutes after dismissal time. For example a vehicle with a Loyola Schools sticker can park at the Grade School area for the purpose of fetching a student just before dismissal time and within a reasonable time after dismissal. Dismissal of various grade levels takes only 30 to 45 minutes to clear or complete.

· Parking areas designated for use of the Grade School is only from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday only. After 5:00 p.m. and on weekends, the parking area designated for the Grade School is open for use of other units.

SECURITY: The community is reminded to be vigilant for intruders and thieves. A LS department was robbed of a laptop during lunch time. The intruder managed to enter the department in the guise of looking for a faculty member.

A con artist also managed to order pastries by pretending to be a resident of EAPI. Below is report of the incident that happened at 3:00 p.m. last Saturday, 11 July:

“A Red Ribbon delivery came with a box of cake and some pastries ordered by a certain Fr. Tolentino. When the delivery boy came, he was met by the supposed Fr. Tolentino. He entered through the lobby (and not the reception) and brought the boy to the second floor which we call the TV room. He even turned on the TV for the delivery boy and got the merchandise. He told the boy to wait while he would get the payment. Then, the supposed Fr. Tolentino went through the back room, went down through the other side of the building and went out through the EAPI-Miriam Friendship bridge. On is way out, he even gave the pastries to workers or participants he met on the way. He kept the cake for himself. The poor delivery boy waited a long time and when he finally got impatient and asked around, that was the only time all realized that they have been duped. There is no Fr. Tolentino in EAPI.

I am narrating this because the "swindler" might try again and with other offices as well.

On our end, we are planning to lock the lobby door and use only one entry point for all participants and visitors. This will give us more control and visibility of everyone who enters the premises.”

ENVIRONMENT: Wildlife still thrives in the Loyola Heights campus. There are instances when they cross paths with humans and harmonious coexistence is disrupted. At 10:50 p.m. last Saturday, 11 July a constrictor (“sawa”) snake strayed into San Jose Seminary and alarmed seminarians there. Although alerted to the presence of a snake, one seminarian not aware of the presence of the snake was bitten in the elbow as he was climbing up the stairs to the 2^nd floor of the College Building of the seminary. Although the snake is of the non-venomous type, the seminarian was taken to the hospital for treatment and observation. Campus security was called in for assistance. The snake was found in the kitchen under a table. SG INDION P CRIDO and SG RENATO T JUDAN captured the snake. Although SG INDION P CRIDO has captured many snakes already, he was also bitten in the left hand. He was taken to the hospital for anti-rabies shots and reported back to duty.