UBFHAI's website posted an item which says: "In a letter delivered to his office Tuesday, October 27, 2009, the Presidents of the homeowner associations in the Las Pinas portion of the BF Homes Subdivision are imploring the Hon. Vergel Aguilar, Mayor of the City of Las Pinas to already use Police Powers in facilitating the solution to the adequate and potable water problem of his constituents in the area."
Please click link to UBFHAI site for details.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
BF homeowners ask Supreme Court: Penalize judge for stopping water project
"By Edu Punay and Rhodina Villanueva (The Philippine Star) Updated September 02, 2009 12:00 AM
"MANILA, Philippines - Residents of BF Homes asked the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday to penalize a Las Piñas judge for gross ingnorance of the law in stopping the installation of water pipes in their subdivision.
"Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez joined them in filing the complaint at 10 a.m.
"Officers of the 12,000-strong United BF Homeowners Association Inc. (UBFHAI) said Las Piñas Regional Trial Court Judge Raul Villanueva unjustly issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) and preliminary injunction against the pipe-laying project of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and Maynilad Water Services Corp.
"'Villanueva effectively extended for an indefinite period of time the suffering of the thousand of residents of BF Homes who have been waterless for decades. He committed extreme injustice to the residents because he favored a non-existent private interest over public interest,' the petitioners said.
"The UBFHAI accused Villanueva of violating Republic Act 8975 when he issued a TRO against a government infrastructure project undertaken by MWSS.
"Residents of BF Homes, the largest private subdivision in the country, cutting across the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa, said the SC prohibits lower courts from stopping government infrastructure projects.
“'(The SC) has time and again cautioned judges not to indiscriminately issue injunctions when the claimed irreparable injury of a party is compensable, or when its issuance will cause injury that will far outweigh the benefit it will serve to the party supposed to be protected,' the UBFHAI said.
"Two years ago, UBFHAI sought the assistance of Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr., who asked help from the MWSS, which in turn tapped its western zone concessionaire, Maynilad, to initiate talks with subdivision developer BF Homes Inc. (BFHI) to find a solution to the problem.
"Maynilad rejected BFHI subsidiary Philippine Waterworks and Construction Corp.’s demand to buy water at a low price then resell it to homeowners at rates higher than that paid by residents of subdivisions close to BF Homes.
"Bernabe then implemented City Council Resolution 08-054, which authorized him to exercise police power and allow Maynilad to immediately construct a water system in the subdivision and provide the agency police protection and security in undertaking repair activities.
The BFHI responded by securing a TRO from Villanueva.
"The UBFHAI said Villanueva’s action is tantamount to 'rewarding' BFHI for 'dereliction of duty' by continuously depriving BF Homes residents of potable water, 'a basic human right.'”
Friday, August 28, 2009
'Don't interfere with BF Homes water problems'
"By Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star) Updated August 27, 2009 12:00 AM
"MANILA, Philippines - A committee of the House of Representatives yesterday directed the National Water Resources Board to issue a 'cease and desist order' stopping the BF Homes Inc. from opposing the laying of pipes by Maynilad in the BF Homes subdivision.
"The motion of Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez was carried, amid attempts by Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa to make an amendment, by the House committee on housing and human settlements headed by Mindoro Oriental Rep. Rodolfo Valencia. Villarosa wanted to make a “colatilla” on Golez’s motion, insisting that certain rulings, or the 'finality' of it, should first be made before the House ruling takes effect, or simply to allow due process to reign, to avoid suits and counter-suits in the future.
"Golez begged to disagree, however. 'The motion is persuasive in nature. No interest will be prejudiced here. It will not prevent any of the parties from seeking (legal) remedies. I am sorry that I cannot accept the amendment of the Deputy Speaker.' Nevertheless, Villarosa, along with Golez’s fellow Parañaque representative, Eduardo Zialcita, both suggested that an 'amicable settlement' be made to put the decades-old water problem to rest, to which Golez and Valencia concurred. Zialcita proposed the creation of a task force whose chairman is an independent person – or like Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing, whom he called the 'icon of housing development.' 'It can be given a maximum of 30 days to come up with a fairly acceptable solution to this problem.'
"Also yesterday, Maynilad president Rogelio Singson told the Valencia panel that they can carry out and finish the laying of water pipes and providing water in the area by 'December this year' for as long as there are no legal impediments. 'For as long as there is no judicial interference, Maynilad can deliver,' Golez said.
"Singson, too, categorically stated that Maynilad is willing to 'compensate' BF Homes Inc. for whatever revenues it intends to recover. 'We’d like to see what’s recoverable in their P60 million. We’re ready to compensate that.' 'Hopefully, this will put to rest whatever they have to get from homeowners,' Singson said.
"Zialcita said this water problem in the area has been there for decades and that it deserves 'one last chance.' 'That’s all I have to say. There has to be one last chance, because we might be accused of taking sides here.'
"Bagatsing, a former official of the Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council, said the reality is that there is no water. 'The homeowners are the new owners of the subdivision, it’s no longer the developer.' 'Malinis, maayos or mura ba ang tubig? Water is universal. It’s everybody’s concern,' he said.
"Golez, who earlier spearheaded a rally against the Las Piñas judge who blocked the laying of water pipes in BF Homes, has filed a resolution in the House of Representatives condemning the interference of an organization. "
"(From left) Rep. Rodolfo Valencia, committee chairman on housing and urban development; UBFHAI president Leo Arceo and UBFHAI chairman Antonio Tinsay attend the House hearing on BF Homes water problems. Boy Santos
"MANILA, Philippines - A committee of the House of Representatives yesterday directed the National Water Resources Board to issue a 'cease and desist order' stopping the BF Homes Inc. from opposing the laying of pipes by Maynilad in the BF Homes subdivision.
"The motion of Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez was carried, amid attempts by Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa to make an amendment, by the House committee on housing and human settlements headed by Mindoro Oriental Rep. Rodolfo Valencia. Villarosa wanted to make a “colatilla” on Golez’s motion, insisting that certain rulings, or the 'finality' of it, should first be made before the House ruling takes effect, or simply to allow due process to reign, to avoid suits and counter-suits in the future.
"Golez begged to disagree, however. 'The motion is persuasive in nature. No interest will be prejudiced here. It will not prevent any of the parties from seeking (legal) remedies. I am sorry that I cannot accept the amendment of the Deputy Speaker.' Nevertheless, Villarosa, along with Golez’s fellow Parañaque representative, Eduardo Zialcita, both suggested that an 'amicable settlement' be made to put the decades-old water problem to rest, to which Golez and Valencia concurred. Zialcita proposed the creation of a task force whose chairman is an independent person – or like Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing, whom he called the 'icon of housing development.' 'It can be given a maximum of 30 days to come up with a fairly acceptable solution to this problem.'
"Also yesterday, Maynilad president Rogelio Singson told the Valencia panel that they can carry out and finish the laying of water pipes and providing water in the area by 'December this year' for as long as there are no legal impediments. 'For as long as there is no judicial interference, Maynilad can deliver,' Golez said.
"Singson, too, categorically stated that Maynilad is willing to 'compensate' BF Homes Inc. for whatever revenues it intends to recover. 'We’d like to see what’s recoverable in their P60 million. We’re ready to compensate that.' 'Hopefully, this will put to rest whatever they have to get from homeowners,' Singson said.
"Zialcita said this water problem in the area has been there for decades and that it deserves 'one last chance.' 'That’s all I have to say. There has to be one last chance, because we might be accused of taking sides here.'
"Bagatsing, a former official of the Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council, said the reality is that there is no water. 'The homeowners are the new owners of the subdivision, it’s no longer the developer.' 'Malinis, maayos or mura ba ang tubig? Water is universal. It’s everybody’s concern,' he said.
"Golez, who earlier spearheaded a rally against the Las Piñas judge who blocked the laying of water pipes in BF Homes, has filed a resolution in the House of Representatives condemning the interference of an organization. "
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Maynilad takes over Ayala Alabang water services
(Click document to enlarge image)
A circular (see attached scanned copy) to the members of the Ayala Alabang Village Association (AAVA) indicate that their water services have been taken over by Maynilad Water. As one browses through the circular it is not difficult to eventually comprehend that a waterworks for an exclusive subdivision may also be operated primarily for service, and only secondarily for profit.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Congress sets hearing on BF Water Problem
BF Agelor President, Malou Glorioso, received an invitation (see attached scanned copy) from Representative Rodolfo G. Valencia, Chairman, committee on Housing and Urban Development of the House of Representatives, to attend the initial hearing on the House Resolution No. 1078, entitled "RSOLUTION CONDEMNING THE INTERFERENCE MADE BY THE BF HOMES INC. (BFHI) IN THE EXCAVATION/CONSTRUCTION WORKS TO PUT UP A WATER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK BEING UNDERTAKEN BY MAYNILAD WATER SERVICES, INC. (MWSI) AT EL GRANDE BF HOMES FOR THE BENEFIT OF RESIDENTS OF PARKLANE, BF HOMES", introduced bhy Representative Roilo S. Golez.
The hearing will be conducted on August 26, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Conference Rooms Nos. 1 and 2, G/F Ramon Mitra Building, House of Representatives Complex, Quezon City.
(Click document to enlarge image)
The hearing will be conducted on August 26, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Conference Rooms Nos. 1 and 2, G/F Ramon Mitra Building, House of Representatives Complex, Quezon City.
(Click document to enlarge image)
Sunday, August 16, 2009
"Paranaque Folk Hit TRO
"By Niña Catherine Calleja Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 00:39:00 08/16/2009 Filed Under: Local authorities
"Chanting 'Tubig! Tubig!,' the residents, mostly wearing white shirt with text 'Tubig na naging bato pa' marched from the village church up to a park near the headquarters of United BF Homeowners Association Inc. (UBFHAI) on Banzon Street.
“'We are all dismayed by how a court was being used to deprive us of our basic right,' said Dianna Quiros, officer of the UBFHAI, referring to the order issued by the Las Piñas Regional Trial Court to restrain the Maynilad Water Services Inc. from laying down the water pipes in the subdivision.
"Calling the protest as “Walk for Water,” the residents aim to call the attention of the media, higher authorities, and the subdivision developer BF Homes Inc. (BFHI), Quiros said.
“'By seeing the huge crowd, the BFHI officials might change their mind or at least have a second thought,' she added.
"BF Homes, the largest private subdivision in the country with some 12,000 residential homes, encompasses three southern Metro Manila cities – Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa.
"Its homeowners have been complaining about the lack of potable water in their homes. For over two decades, they depended on water costing P90 per cubic meter being rationed by the BFHI through the water system of the Philippine Waterworks and Construction Corp. (PWCC).
Quiros said the PWCC used to supply BF Homes with water in the ’60s but stopped after 10 years when its deep wells dried up.
"Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe told reporters in a press conference that the local government will intervene by initiating the digging and pipe laying.
“We just need a request from the Maynilad and homeowners before we proceed,” he said.
He added that in two weeks’ time after a few deliberations, the city council could issue a resolution on the city government’s intervention.
"The city council of Parañaque had earlier issued a resolution authorizing the local government to exercise police power in allowing Maynilad’s construction of the water system. The BFHI responded by securing a temporary restraining order from a Las Piñas court."
(Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20090816-220508/Paranaque-folk-hit-TRO-on-water-project)
"Chanting 'Tubig! Tubig!,' the residents, mostly wearing white shirt with text 'Tubig na naging bato pa' marched from the village church up to a park near the headquarters of United BF Homeowners Association Inc. (UBFHAI) on Banzon Street.
“'We are all dismayed by how a court was being used to deprive us of our basic right,' said Dianna Quiros, officer of the UBFHAI, referring to the order issued by the Las Piñas Regional Trial Court to restrain the Maynilad Water Services Inc. from laying down the water pipes in the subdivision.
"Calling the protest as “Walk for Water,” the residents aim to call the attention of the media, higher authorities, and the subdivision developer BF Homes Inc. (BFHI), Quiros said.
“'By seeing the huge crowd, the BFHI officials might change their mind or at least have a second thought,' she added.
"BF Homes, the largest private subdivision in the country with some 12,000 residential homes, encompasses three southern Metro Manila cities – Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa.
"Its homeowners have been complaining about the lack of potable water in their homes. For over two decades, they depended on water costing P90 per cubic meter being rationed by the BFHI through the water system of the Philippine Waterworks and Construction Corp. (PWCC).
Quiros said the PWCC used to supply BF Homes with water in the ’60s but stopped after 10 years when its deep wells dried up.
"Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe told reporters in a press conference that the local government will intervene by initiating the digging and pipe laying.
“We just need a request from the Maynilad and homeowners before we proceed,” he said.
He added that in two weeks’ time after a few deliberations, the city council could issue a resolution on the city government’s intervention.
"The city council of Parañaque had earlier issued a resolution authorizing the local government to exercise police power in allowing Maynilad’s construction of the water system. The BFHI responded by securing a temporary restraining order from a Las Piñas court."
(Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20090816-220508/Paranaque-folk-hit-TRO-on-water-project)
"Golez files resolution vs BF Homes Developer
"Irate residents of BF Homes subdivision march yesterday towards UBFHAI Park, where they held a rally to fight for their right to have water on tap provided by Maynilad. Lower photo, contributed by resident Monique Katigbak, shows Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. (left) and Rep. Roilo Golez talking to the protesters.
"By Delon Porcalla and Rhodina Villanueva (The Philippine Star) Updated August 16, 2009 12:00 AM
"MANILA, Philippines - Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez, who spearheaded a rally yesterday against a Las Piñas judge who blocked the laying of water pipes in BF Homes subdivision, has filed a resolution in the House of Representatives condemning the subdivision developer.
"The deputy minority leader said he filed House Resolution 1078 condemning the “interference” of BF Homes Inc. (BFHI) in the “excavation (or) construction works to put up a water distribution network being undertaken by Maynilad Water Services Inc.” to solve the subdivision’s water problem, which is more than 20 years old.
“The problem here is what I perceive as greed on the part of (BFHI), which failed to perform their public service mandate and now wants to indecently benefit from the windfall of water from Maynilad,” he said, referring to the BFHI’s failure to fulfill its promise to provide water on tap for its residents.
"Until Maynilad was stopped by an injunction last July, it was laying pipelines at El Grande BF Homes, Golez said.
"The BFHI secured an injunction from Judge Raul Villanueva of the Las Piñas Regional Trial Court Branch 255 to restrain Maynilad from laying the pipelines.
"Asked to comment on the issue, a court staff said Villanueva has been on leave since Friday.
"Nelson Lacambra of Parañaque City’s media bureau said the court issued the injunction last July and this will take effect for an indefinite period of time.
"He said UBFHAI members are discussing plans to go to the Supreme Court and file a petition so that the injunction could be lifted.
"Golez said he will support and join the BF Homes residents’ move to file 'an administrative case against the judge.'
"BF Homes is the largest subdivision in the country, with more than 10,000 homes divided into 72 gated enclaves. It cuts across the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa.
"Golez said he has been “in constant close coordination” with Maynilad president Rogelio Singson and Maynilad-Parañaque manager Reggie Cruz.
"By Delon Porcalla and Rhodina Villanueva (The Philippine Star) Updated August 16, 2009 12:00 AM
"MANILA, Philippines - Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez, who spearheaded a rally yesterday against a Las Piñas judge who blocked the laying of water pipes in BF Homes subdivision, has filed a resolution in the House of Representatives condemning the subdivision developer.
"The deputy minority leader said he filed House Resolution 1078 condemning the “interference” of BF Homes Inc. (BFHI) in the “excavation (or) construction works to put up a water distribution network being undertaken by Maynilad Water Services Inc.” to solve the subdivision’s water problem, which is more than 20 years old.
“The problem here is what I perceive as greed on the part of (BFHI), which failed to perform their public service mandate and now wants to indecently benefit from the windfall of water from Maynilad,” he said, referring to the BFHI’s failure to fulfill its promise to provide water on tap for its residents.
"Until Maynilad was stopped by an injunction last July, it was laying pipelines at El Grande BF Homes, Golez said.
"The BFHI secured an injunction from Judge Raul Villanueva of the Las Piñas Regional Trial Court Branch 255 to restrain Maynilad from laying the pipelines.
"Asked to comment on the issue, a court staff said Villanueva has been on leave since Friday.
"Nelson Lacambra of Parañaque City’s media bureau said the court issued the injunction last July and this will take effect for an indefinite period of time.
"He said UBFHAI members are discussing plans to go to the Supreme Court and file a petition so that the injunction could be lifted.
"Golez said he will support and join the BF Homes residents’ move to file 'an administrative case against the judge.'
"BF Homes is the largest subdivision in the country, with more than 10,000 homes divided into 72 gated enclaves. It cuts across the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa.
"Golez said he has been “in constant close coordination” with Maynilad president Rogelio Singson and Maynilad-Parañaque manager Reggie Cruz.
"Angry residents boil over
"More than 5,000 members of the United BF Homeowners’ Association Inc. (UBFHAI) staged a rally yesterday to protest a move by the BFHI to prevent Maynilad from providing water to residents.
"Wearing white shirts that read, 'Tubig na, nawala pa (we had water, now it’s gone),' the rally participants marched from Aguirre Avenue going to UBFHAI Park on Banzon Street where they held a short program condemning BFHI.
"Some of the residents put up banners and streamers that read, 'Buti pa ang kabayo may tubig, kami wala (Horses have water, we don’t).'
"The BFHI is reportedly owned by businessman-sportsman Albert 'Bobby' Aguirre, but a check with the Securities and Exchange Commission revealed that there was no company registered by that name.
"Unconfirmed reports state that Aguirre allegedly houses his horses at a certain part of the subdivision.
"Diana Quiros, president at one of the enclaves, said they 'want to send a message to the concerned, particularly the officials of BFHI, to finally allow Maynilad to address the water supply problem in the city by conducting repair activities.'
"She said something concrete must be done immediately. 'The residents in coordination with the city government is willing to pay for the services Maynilad will render. We are optimistic we can come up with something as to terms of payment that all parties will agree on,' she said.
"City gov’t to flex muscle
"Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. said he will exercise police power and invoke general welfare to back up Maynilad’s pipe-laying activities.
“'It will just take one Sangguniang Panglungsod resolution so that the city government is finally given authority to exercise police power over situations where residents continue to suffer for the lack of basic necessities such as water,' he said.
"It will reportedly take the city council two weeks to pass such a resolution.
“The city government can step in and do the digging and pipe-laying if Maynilad will request it,” Bernabe said, adding that the action they will undertake is still within the bounds of the law.
"He added he will also check on reports that BFHI has not been paying real property taxes for the roads right-of-way in BF Homes. 'If they have been delinquent, the property can be auctioned off,' Bernabe said. – With Pia Lee-Brago"
(Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx articleId=496318& publicationSubCategoryId=65)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
