Villages and subdivisions have one draw: privacy. That’s about to change, though, for residents of BF Homes Paranaque. Four days ago, the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) ordered 5 of the village’s gates to be opened to the public. That means non-residents – basically everyone – can use BF’s roads as they would a public road.
BF Homes gates opened to the public, and residents push back
In a ruling dated July 29, the HSAC has required the BF Federation of Homeowners’ Associations Inc. (BFFHAI) to allow unobstructed passage of motorists through 5 of the village’s gates, namely on Aguirre Avenue, Elizalde Street, El Grande Avenue, Concha Cruz Street, and Tropical Street. Before this ruling, those who wish to enter the village were required to secure a car sticker from the Homeowners’ Association, or leave their license or ID before being allowed entry into any of the aforementioned gates.
That of course is a thing of the past because a sticker will no longer be a requirement for entry. The ruling also prohibits BFFHAI to collect entry fees from delivery services that now wish to enter the once-gated community. A thing of the past, for now, it seems, as homeowners have appealed against the HSAC’s order and they submitted their petition to the Court of Appeals (CA) on Monday, August 1.
“Please be informed that we already filed our appeal to the CA last Monday with prayer for [a temporary restraining order], and we hope it will be favorably granted. Please exercise extreme caution, and security measures in your respective areas. This is just a temporary setback,” BFFHAI President Arturo Astorga II
To address the BF Homes residents’ concerns on privacy and safety, BFFHAI Vice President Tito Tolentino said that all their security guards at all 5 BF Homes gates have already been instructed specifically “To provide close scrutiny for incoming visitors, and be always on guard for unusual incidents.”
“By preventing BFFHAI from exercising control over the subdivision gates, HSAC has essentially compromised the security, invited disorder, and chaotic traffic, and violated the private and residential nature of our subdivision. We need all the help that we can get. We must all be united in denouncing this act in the strongest term possible,” Tolentino added in a later statement.
Residents have taken to the streets of BF Homes in protest of the HSAC ruling, and we can perhaps expect them to keep doing so until the CA (might) rule in their favor.
If any of you, our readers, are from BF Homes Paranaque, what do you think of the opening of your village gates to the public? Let us know what your concerns are, perhaps the internet may help the residents’ cause and allow for a proper reevaluation of the ruling that goes against privacy, and more importantly, security.
Sarado na naman. Willful defiance of the lawful order of HSAC. Hindi nirespeto ang order. Pingtatawaanan pa mg guards and nag iinsist. They should be held in contempt!!
Binali Wala ang Court Ruling Sarado ulit ang BF Homes Sticker Required as Aug. 8 2022 6PM. Dapat diyan Tanggaling ng DPOS iyan Guard House and Harang. Baka mamaya iyan Guard House iyon Toilet niyan directcho sa Canal.