It never saw print (A News Story on Pag-Ibig Citihomes)

Below is an article I wrote and submitted to Sunstar-Cagayan de Oro. Unfrotunately, said writing was not publish, until now, by the paper. It was all about the exploit of a subdivision developer in Misamis Oriental. You can check Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board website and you’ll be surprised that developers in Region are full-compliant of the law as against othe regions in the country. This is, however, a different picture from the reality on the field. I personally had experienced it.

So you can make many guesses why there such a case here in the region.  And why said article was not publish though it’s Editor-in-Chief said “This is one informative, well-written article.” I am not saying anything against the paper because few of my write-ups were published by them. You’ll be the judge.

Here’s the article:

Take-over of Citihomes Water System Oppose

Malanang, Opol, Misamis Oriental – Pag-ibig Citihomes homeowners strongly oppose the take-over of the subdivision’s water system by its developer, Johndorf Ventures Corporation (JVC).

In a letter to Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) Region 10, Pag-ibig Citihomes Phase 2 homeowners urged the Board to stop the developer’s plan take-over stating that Contract to Sell and other documents contracted between the homeowners and JVC expressly provided that water connection will be with the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (CWD).

The takeover will increased the homeowner’s initial cash outlay for water connection from P1,360.00 (CWD’s price) to P3,500.00 and the minimum consumption rate from P168.00 to P222.00, which the homeowners firmly disagree.

The P3,500.00 Application and P270,000.00 Maintenance Fees

 “The application fee comprises P1,550.00 water meter fee, P950.00 installation fee and a P1,000.00 deposit,” according to Engr. Ricardo Pacheco, Citihomes Project Manager of JVC.

“The P5.40 per cubic meter difference on the minimum consumption rate is for maintenance fee,” he added.

Pag-ibig Cithihomes located in Malanang, Opol, Misamis Oriental is a 5,000 low-cost subdivision housing units project. JVC is bound to get a hefty P270,000.00 monthly maintenance fee from the takeover.

Bulk Buying

In CWD’s September 19, 2009 letter to JVC, it informs the latter that it has no fund at that time to undertake the construction of the transmission line going to the subdivision.

CWD also discussed in another letter their proposed rate, subject for further discussion, if JVC will consider bulk-buying scheme.

JVC initiated the construction of the transmission line.

“Water supply will be readily available by 2012, if we will wait for CWD. It’s the developer’s initiative to build the transmission line so water services will be delivered to homeowners as fast as possible.” Engr. Pacheco said in a meeting conducted last weekend (April 17, 2010).

The Homeowners Stand

The homeowners want the transmission line turned-over to CWD and for the developer to honor the contract entered by homeowners and JVC.

Pressed by homeowners to show the contract or Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between JVC and CWD, Engr. Pacheco said, “We are in the process of securing the MOA.”