HSAC orders BF Parañaque gates opened to public; homeowners hit order

MANILA, Philippines — The Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) has ordered that five gates of the BF Homes subdivision in Parañaque City be opened to the public.

In the ruling dated July 29, the HSAC “reversed and set aside” an earlier issued writ of preliminary injunction, which now requires the BF Federation of Homeowners’ Associations Inc. (BFFHAI) to allow motorists “unobstructed passage” through the subdivision’s gates along Aguirre Avenue, Elizalde Street, El Grande Avenue, Concha Cruz Street, and Tropical Street.

The BFFHAI was also prohibited from collecting entry fees from delivery service providers.

Prior to the HSAC order, it was mandatory for motorists to either acquire a car sticker from the BFFHAI or leave their identification card in the guard house before entering the BF Homes subdivision.

Homeowners fight back

Members of the BFFHAI have slammed the HSAC ruling, arguing that the decision may lead to heavy traffic in the subdivision and threats to the security of residents .

“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,” BFFHAI Vice President Tito Tolentino said in a statement on Sunday.

He then added that security guards stationed at the five gates have already been instructed: “To provide close scrutiny for incoming visitors, and be always on guard for unusual incidents.”

BFFHAI filed a petition to reverse the HSAC ruling on Monday before the Court of Appeals (CA).

“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 said in a separate statement on Wednesday.

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