ANGELES CITY — Concerned alumni and parents of children studying at Chevalier School, formerly the Sacred Heart Mission Seminary, Inc., have expressed strong opposition to the plan to lease a part of the school for commercial use.
Carrying tarpaulin signs bearing slogans objecting to the planned leasing of part of the school campus, the parents and alumni held a protest in front of the school where the bust of the Blessed Jules Chevalier – a French Catholic priest who founded the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), is located to express their sentiment.
The concern came to a fore after an advertisement was posted in from of the school informing the public that the “vacant lot” in front of the three-hectare Chevalier School was up for long term lease.
Chevalier School is under the Archdiocese of San Fernando which is a metropolitan archdiocese of the Catholic Church. Its jurisdiction covers the province of Pampanga and includes the Suffragan Sees of Iba in Zambales, Tarlac and Balanga in Bataan.
The Chevalier School–Sacred Heart Seminary Alumni Core Group said the Archdiocese of San Fernando is planning to lease out the frontage of the school, measuring 4,961 square meters and covers the soccer and activity field, to a big fast-food chain company.
“The said front property is located within the three hectare school campus. It has been reported that a giant Filipino fast food chain is already in final talks with the Archdiocese for a multi-million long term lease of the property,” the alumni group said.
The alumni group includes Fernan Panlilio, Salvador Lorenzo, Bong Arceo, Robert Ocampo, Ner Galura, Noel Castro, Andrew Salas, Bodjie Ocampo, Bot Henson, Glen Zamora, Edgar Bolocon, and Veejay Tanglao.
Tanglao said the Chevalier School Parents and Teachers Association and Foundation support their opposition to the plan of the archdiocese.
The leasing out of the property is against the will and mission of the Catholic Church, the alumni group pointed out.
The group said the 99-year lease contract of the archdiocese and the MSC signed on October 31, 1958 by then San Fernando Bishop Emilio Cinense and Sacred Heart Mission Seminary Inc. (SHMSI) Attorney-in-Fact Reverend Father Cornelio Lagerwey is still valid and legally binding under Philippine laws.
The lease contract of the MSC and archdiocese states that the property shall be exclusively used and dedicated to Catholic education and instruction.
“The lessee (SHMSI) shall use the leased property and buildings for educational purposes in accordance with Roman Catholic teachings and beliefs and shall comply strictly with the requirements of the government and ecclesiastical authorities,” the group said, citing a stipulation as stated in the contract.
An annual rent of P1 per year is paid by the lessee to the lessor, according to the lease contract.
The contract also states that “after the expiration of the term of lease (which will be on 2057 or 41 years from now), the land may be donated or sold to the lessee or the lessee, at its option, hold over the said term for another period of 99 years.” (JOJO C. DUE)