Biz Buzz: ‘Martial law’ in Ayala Alabang

From inquirer.net:
By: the staff
Aug. 24, 2015

WITH the heated debate among villagers on whether or not to open a new village gate at the end of San Jose St. to the adjacent Filinvest Corporate City, households closest to the proposed gateway (mostly in district 5) have put up signs and tarpaulins to express their vehement opposition. The tarps say “no to San Jose gate” and “no to friendship route.”

But the Ayala Alabang Village Association (AAVA)—which backs the opening of the San Jose gate to help ease the worsening traffic congestion in the area—has instructed the village guards to take pictures of houses carrying signs of protest.

Since the security guards can not remove the signs or posters lest be accused of trespassing on private property, AAVA passed a resolution to identify the houses with such signs and slap a daily fine of P100 from the time a notice was made until the sign was removed.

The accumulated fine will be added to the association dues, based on a letter issued by the village manager to protesting homeowners. This means that if these signs stay for a year, these households will be fined with P36,400.

In its warning to these households, AAVA cited several resolutions and this provision in the deed of restrictions: “Commercial or advertising signs shall not be placed, constructed or erected on the lots. Name plates and professional signs of the occupants are permitted so long as they do not exceed 30×60 cm in size, or roughly 1×2 feet.” There was likewise a new resolution to “disallow any individual resident-member or interest group or groups to announce on tarpaulin, either fixed or mobile, their ideas, expecting other residents to take action for or against the association or the barangay.”

The protesters are concerned about security risks that may arise from the opening of the proposed gateway and insist that AAVA follow due process, one of which is to get written concurrence from 75 percent of lot owners residing along the affected roads.

“The residents with tarps are opposing the move as this is a curtailment of their freedom of [expression],” a resident said. Another said it was the dawning of “Martial law” in the village.

The issue is seen leading to something like a civil war that’s dividing the residents. Among the popular personalities/homeowners who have joined the protest is Bro. Mike Velarde of El Shaddai, who has two tarps in his house.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson also has one of those tarps.

But there are heavyweights at the other side of the fence as well, namely: former President Fidel V. Ramos and former AFP chief and Senator Rodolfo Biazon. Doris Dumlao-Abadilla