Ayala Alabang controversy re Barangay Hall Complex still unresolved

Apparently, calls by concerned residents of Ayala Alabang Village regarding the proposed construction of an extension of their Barangay Hall inside the village has fallen on deaf ears, according to one of the concerned villagers.

Alabang Bulletin learned today that Barangay Ayala Alabang had went on with the bidding last Feb. 1 with the awarding of the contract to be done on Feb. 8.

According to the concerned resident, barangay chairman Alfredo Xeres-Burgos and AAVA president Federico Sarabia had not replied to any of their letters asking them to give them copies of “their so-called all approvals for the P46M Barangay Hall Complex project.”

This website was also able to get a letter from Ayala Land, Inc. (owner of the property where the barangay hall complex is proposed to be built) asking for some requirements from the barangay.

“As mentioned, ALI (as owner of the property) does not interpose any objection to the proposed project,
however we would like to reiterate that we do require the submission of the following documents prior
our release of an official approval and the actual commencement of the project:

1. Architectural Plans (including Site Development Plan) of the Project confirming to the latest
National Building Code of the Philippines.

2. A ruling from the Commission on Audit (COA) specifically allowing Barangay Ayala Alabang (BAA)
to expend public funds to put up a Barangay Hall inside Ayala Alabang Village (the “Village” ), a
privately-owned land

3. The approval of (i) the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), and (ii) the City of
Muntinlupa, for the alteration of subdivision plan on the use of open space for Ayala Alabang
Village and/or the reduction of the open space allocated for the village

4. A Secretary’s Certificate issued by the Corporate Secretary of Ayala Alabang Village Association
(AAVA) attesting to the following:

(a) the approval of a resolution by the Board of Governors of AAVA of (i) the construction of
the Barangay Hall along Narra Street and the sublease of the lot upon which such
complex is built in favour of BAA; and (ii) the agreement to indemnfy and hold ALI, its
directors, stockholders, officers, employees, agents, subsidiaries and affiliates, free and
harmless from and against all claims, damages, costs and losses (including legal fees and
the cost of suit) arising out of, or in connection with, the approval of the alteration of
the subdivision plan, the construction of the Barangay Hall and the performance of any
act or omission related to the foregoing (including any lapse in security or the
inadequacy of security or environmental measuresadopted by AAVA);

(b) the approval or ratification by a simple majority of all the members of AAVA during its
general membership meeting of the resolutions or matters stated in item (a) above;
ALI would leave the actual process by which such approval is obtained to the
determination of AAVA, but would recommend that, given the significance of the issues
to be present to the membership of AAVA, a balloting procedure be adopted as part of
this process to enable AAVA to determine the vote with greater certainty. ALI also
expects that such processshould be fair and regular.

(c) The holding of three (3) public hearings attended by the residents of the Village
directly/adversely affected by the proposed project whereby the details of the
proposed project are presented.
These public hearings should be documented by the minutes of the meeting. This is to
ensure that those directly living within the immediate surroundings of the project have
been duly consulted and have understood the consequences that may arise with this
project.

5. A duly enacted Sangguniang Barangay resolution consistent with the requirements of Section
nrc) of the LocalGovernment Codeauthorizing the following:

(a) Construction of the BarangayHall on the privately-owned property

(b) The approval of the sub-lease agreement with the AAVA covering the BAA’s use and
possession of the portion of the said property on which the proposed project shall be
built; and

(c) Agreement to indemnify and hold ALI, its directors, stockholders, officers, employees,
agents, subsidiaries and affiliates free and harmless from all claims, damages, costs and
losses(including legal fees and the costs of suit) arising out of, or in connection with, the
approval of the alteration of the subdivision plan, the construction of the Barangay Hall
and the performance of any act or omission related to the foregoing (including any lapse
in security or the inadequacy of security or environmental measures adopted by the
BAA).” as written by ALI Customer Relations Head, May P. Florentino.

Florentino added that they are not for stopping any project that will benefit the villagers of Ayala Alabang but that necessary requirements and acceptance from AAVA residents should be provided and considered, respectively.

The ALI official said that they will just be waiting for the requirements before they issue their formal acknowledgement and approval of the said project.

Another letter from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board stated that before the construction takes place, certain conditions

should be met.

These conditions include that all park and playground spaces should remain open, that an approval from the local government be

secured as well as from the AAVA office and ALI and most especially permits and approvals from concerned government agencies.

According to HLURB, they only have the letters of no objection from AAVA and ALI, list of open spaces and street lots as well as the

Lease Agreement between AAVA and ALI.

The housing agency also mentioned that the proposed construction should be initiated by ALI since it is the owner of the said land

Due to the lack of other requirements and the violation of the 30% open spaces requirement clause, HLURB had yet to approve of the proposed construction.

Appearing in the column (Spy Bit) of Babe G. Romualdez on The Philippine Star, Xeres-Burgos revealed that they had secured all necessary documents required to construct the barangay hall complex.

Here is the part of his column regarding the controversy:

The plan of Barangay Ayala Alabang officials to construct a three-story building along Narra avenue and Maria Cristina Parks is

being opposed by a group within the Ayala Alabang Village Association.Barangay chairman Alfred Xerez Burgos says the planned

construction will house a community center, explaining that the barangay also needs the space because they have been “squatting”

inside a low-rise building along Narra.

Burgos and the barangay council had secured all the necessary permits and documentation requirements for the planned

construction, going through the entire process of consultation with the approval given during a general assembly meeting. Which is

why it came as a total surprise when this Johnny-come-lately group started making noises, opposing the planned construction and

circulating an unsigned petition letter urging AAVA residents to voice their opposition.

The same group has reportedly threatened to file a case against the whole barangay council – something that Burgos said is

uncalled for. While he doesn’t mind facing nuisance suits knowing these are par for the course if you’re a local government official,

the sad part is that the barangay captain and the council members will have to pay for the legal fees because the barangay is not

allowed to shoulder expenses for lawsuits, Burgos disclosed, decrying what he described as “the unfairness of it all.”

As outsiders looking in on the present controversy hounding the posh Muntinlupa village, we just wish that all villagers fix the issue amongst themselves and clear the air on whatever needs to be cleared before they move on to filing cases here and there.

Hopefully, all parties hold a dialogue and thresh out whatever issues that are causing this misunderstanding.

Good luck.