After 35 years of service, DLSU’s Zaide canteen will officially close its counter operations today, March 7, with its last official day of operations on March 9.
A total of 22 employees will be dispersed, and will resume their work in other La Salle schools. According to unofficial statements, the canteen chose to leave DLSU because of the building’s permanent conversion to a student center and management’s decision not to compete in the bidding for other canteen spaces at the University, which include Animo Food Haus and La Casita canteens. Moreover, sources say that the canteens have had difficulty in paying rent. This year, the minimum bid for canteen space ranges from P 85,000-162,000 a month, depending on the location.
USG Vice President for Internal Affairs Robert Hechanova clarifies, “The building is planned to be a student center, an evolved canteen that will give way for more interaction among students. The contract with all the canteens will be done by the end of the year, so the space is up to the University to further utilize… there is a thrust to renovate the canteens.”
According to Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Services Jay Calleja, apart from commercial food kiosks, the space will be opened for rent to student entrepreneurs, with a small area for musical performances.
In light of such developments, cafeterias at the St. La Salle (LS) building, Enrique Razon Sports Complex and Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall would be up for auction.
The bidding committee will continue to entertain proposals until March 11 and award contracts on March 14. Calleja affirms, “A concessionaire can submit a bid for all three available canteen spaces, but it does not mean that all three areas can be awarded to one business.”
According to Zaide management, DLSU collects 10 percent of sales of the kiosks that operate in the campus.