In an exclusive interview with The Benildean, Mr. Butch Tecson, VP for Administration, addressed concerns raised by circulating Reddit posts about major renovations of the College’s Taft Campus.

According to Mr. Tecson, while discussions surrounding campus upgrades have indeed been underway, the plans are far from finalized. “At this stage, the plans are still not concrete,” he explained.

“We won’t be able to give you an official update on when it will start, when it will end, or what exactly will happen to the students. But whatever we do, we will update the community— and it will be for the students and the community as a whole,” he emphasized.

Regarding potential tuition changes, Mr. Tecson explained that tuition and fees are determined by a multi-sectoral committee, composed of representatives from the administration, faculty, support staff, students, and parents.

“Even if we build a new campus and spend hundreds of millions, it won’t automatically affect tuition and fees unless that committee recommends it,” he explained. 

As for concerns about a return to online learning during potential renovations, Mr. Tecson emphasized that only the Vice Chancellor for Academics could make that decision, adding that, for now, discussions remain purely hypothetical.

A long time coming

This is not the first time campus improvement talks have been on the table. Discussions about renovation have been ongoing since 2013, as part of a long-term vision for modernization. The buzz around potential renovations may have originated from consultations held with faculty members, wherein they were asked for their concerns and suggestions.

“Last year, we went around asking the community what their ideal campus would look like,” Mr. Tecson said.

When the plans materialize, the renovations aim to create larger and more modern spaces that would improve student life. “Right now, we don’t have a big hall where everyone can congregate [...] We try to squeeze ourselves into the Atrium lobby, or the Design and Arts (D+A) Campus cafeteria. What we want is a proper space for assemblies and student events,” Mr. Tecson pointed out.

Another proposed idea is a “one-stop shop” where essential student services—like the Registrar’s Office, finance, admissions, and scholarships—can be centralized on one floor, making it more convenient for students to access these services without running around between campuses. 

When asked about specific upgrades, Mr. Tecson noted ongoing smaller renovation projects, including a new contemplation room at the DAC mezzanine and plans to revamp the Angelo King International Center (AKIC) lobby in time for the School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management’s (SHRIM) anniversary. 

However, he reiterated that while ideas for a large-scale overhaul of the Taft Campus have been floated, no firm decisions have been made yet.

Mr. Tecson also reassured the Benildean community that the College has consistently maintained transparency regarding its plans and updates, and the community will be kept updated every step of the way if the renovation plans move forward. “It's not going to be a secret because we want you to dream with us. We want you to be excited with us.”

Communication through the proper channels

For students who want to share feedback or voice concerns, Mr. Tecson recommended using official channels like the Benildean Student Government (BeSG) and the Help Desk, or reach out to the admin via email. 

He encouraged students to share their concerns and suggestions through reliable channels rather than resorting to unverified posts on platforms like Reddit—a social media site where users can anonymously share information and opinions without official verification—as doing so can help prevent unnecessary panic and misinformation.

Mr. Tecson invited the Benildean community to remain hopeful and engaged. “We’ve been dreaming about this since 2013,” he said, recalling earlier versions of a modernized Benilde. 

“I would like to encourage the students to dream with us. Don’t be afraid of what might happen—whether there’s a renovation or a new campus. It’s all for you,” he ended.