Water at last

MANILA, Philippines - After more than 20 years, homeowners and residents of Parkwood Hills Violago homes near Payatas, Quezon City have finally cemented their individual water meters in front of their houses, however, still waiting for Maynilad to activate these meters. They are grateful to the people who made this possible.

But the pursuit of having potable and affordable water had met other problems. Concerned citizens had to wage war with those who were opposed to individual water connections, because others pursued bulk metering scheme by Maynilad.

Since Parkwood Hills is located near Payatas, a concerned homeowner, Dr. Fely Lagrido, lobbied in the office of Commissioner Len Alanzalon of Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor. She, together with other homeowners, persistently asked help to alleviate the plight of the residents.

After heeding her plight for many times, Commissioner Alanzalon called a meeting with all the agencies concerned: MWSS’ Engr. Nestor Lualhati; MWSS Regulatory Office’s Engr. Randy Marcial; Arch. Sonny Rodriguez, represented former Mayor Sonny Belmonte; MWSI-Maynilad’s Engr. Edu del Mundo and the developer, San Lorenzo Ruiz’s Beth Sayson. In this meeting in February 2009 at her office, the idea to make the subdivision an open community became the only solution to provide water in the fastest way.

In an open community the government has the power to enter a subdivision to provide basic needs to its residents. Commissioner Alanzalon directed the agencies concerned and those who were opposed had no other choice but to follow her order.

Commissioner Alanzalon also wrote the highly exclusive Grace Christian Foundation, Inc., the real owner of Parkwood Hills, to help the concerned citizens acquire the certified photocopy of Deed of Donation and Acceptance, which is the most important document to declare a community open.

As his service to his constituents, Barangay Bagong Silangan chairman Armando Endaya provided the homeowners and residents barangay clearances free of charge.

Parkwood Hills Violago Homes belongs to Barangay Bagong Silangan, as per certification issued from Quezon City Planning Development Office signed by Tomasito L. Cruz dated March 22, 2010 and not to Barangay Payatas as what others have claimed.