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COULD it
be politics? Or just a simple attempt at empire
building? Nevertheless, diplomats living in the gated
San Lorenzo
Village in Makati, are becoming restive owing to a
possible diminution of their peace and safety inside
this enclave of the wealthy.
This
arose after the barangay chairman [the barangay has
jurisdiction over the subdivision], Joshua John
Santiago, began demanding virtually the opening of the
gates to untrammeled passage through and use of the
subdivision’s roads and parks.
The San
Lorenzo Village Association Inc., the group of the
residents of the enclave, protested the demands and what
ensued is the ongoing dispute with the barangay
chairman.
Association president Maria Christina Olondriz Puno
Pertierra said Santiago’s demands include unimpeded
access through village roads and gates by barangay
officials, personnel and vehicles; garbage collection
including escorting of garbage trucks be under the
direct control and supervision of the barangay; free and
unrestricted use of the village park and its facilities
by barangay residents whether living inside or outside
of the subdivision, and all details or changes in the
management of the security guards must be approved by
the barangay council.
Pertierra said the residents have vigorously objected to
the demands because such would weaken the security
protection of the subdivision.
“Our
village is a sanctuary to us. The people from different
embassies residing here are not happy with the way
things are happening and we don’t want to create an
image to foreigners that our village is not safe,
peaceful and protected one. We don’t want them to leave
just like they warned if the problem is not resolved
without damage to our security,” added Pertierra.
“How
would we know if we are still safe if we accede to his
demands?” she asked, noting they have already allowed
three gates of the village to be used exclusively by
barangay officials and their visitors—the gates fronting
Makati Avenue, the one on Amorsolo Street exiting to
Pasay Road, and the opposite Amorsolo gate exiting on
Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.
She said
Santiago had been trying to intimidate the residents,
recalling that on January 17 the street lights of the
posh village were turned off for two days after
disagreements between the barangay chief and the
association started.
Pertierra added that even garbage collection was stopped
and the association had to get their own garbage
contractor to remove the household waste that started
piling up on the streets and beginning to stink.
Santiago
returned the power supply to the street lights when
diplomats residing in the subdivision complained. “That
is where again I called [Santiago’s]
attention that he should do something with the problem
for I should not be the one liable for what he has done
[cutting off the power supply of the streetlights].”
Pertierra said the entire subdivision is united in
calling on Santiago to be responsible enough to set
aside whatever “interest” the barangay has in the
village. “We were not like this before until he started
it all with his demands.”
Santiago
could not be reached for comment. |
