[ Malaya.com.ph ] January 14, 2010
SENATE majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday defended R.A. 9904 or Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations saying the rights of homeowners and homeowners associations are well protected and will cut conflicts now experienced in many communities.
"In very clear and specific language the law laid down the rights and responsibilities of homeowners and the guidelines on the operations of homeowners associations," said Zubiri, past chair of the Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Resettlement.
"The Magna Carta will be the vehicle to bring peace and comfortable living conditions in many communities," he said.
"This law will benefit all homeowners from the different socio-economic classes. We made sure that the benefits will be encompassing. Homeowners are defined as ‘not only those living in titled homes and lots in subdivisions but to lessees, awardees, beneficiaries, or occupants in government socialized or economic housing or relocation projects, and even underprivileged and homeless citizens while they are in the process of being accredited as beneficiaries or awardees of ownership rights under the CMP, LTA, and other similar programs," he said.
Zubiri said "contrary to earlier perceptions, this law was not made for rich residents of gated subdivisions only. Lessees in government socialized housing projects or urban estates and those in communities of underprivileged and homeless citizens are also considered as homeowners for the purpose of qualifying as a member of a homeowners’ association without need of any written consent or authorization."
Zubiri said the Magna Carta would "hopefully put an end to the confusion on where to register homeowners’ associations."
"All homeowners’ association shall register with the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), instead of listing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This will immediately lessen future conflicts and unify fractured homeowners belonging to different associations in one community."
Zubiri turned over a signed copy of the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations with homeowners and homeowners associations in attendance, among them Danilo Mendoza representing Alliance of Quezon City Homeowners Association; Bonifacio Dazo, Federation of Las Piñas Village Associations; Atty. Mario Jalandoni, FORA; and Ed Magpantay, Parañaque Federation of Homeowners Associations.
The turnover was witnessed by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board represented by its commissioner Romulo Fabul.
The Village Voice, a community paper in Makati City, also sent their representative Sigmund Tesorero, Nelia Estrevencion of SSANGKAP and Marie Allanosa also of the Federation of Las Piñas Village Association, Anton Ocampo, and Andrea Rebustillo, Manolo Dayrit.
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