Orlando R. Ravanera, Chairman of Task Force Kinaiyahan, clarified that their group is not “anti-development,” as some critics claim.
He explained that their stance is rooted in preserving the original mission of the Jesuit missionaries who founded Xavier University to serve the poor under the guiding principle of being “men and women for others.”
Ravanera criticized what he described as a shift in the university’s priorities, noting that instead of focusing on service to the community, the institution now appears more intent on profit-making through plans to convert its land into a mixed-use commercial and residential hub.
In response, Task Force Kinaiyahan announced that they will hold a rally this June, joined by indigenous peoples and alumni of Xavier University, to express strong opposition to this new direction.
