By law, the barangay is the smallest unit of governance in the Philippines. But there's another subdivision (and I'm going to talk of the literal word here) of local governance that is often overlooked: homeowners' associations (HOAs).
HOAs, which are regulated by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), are usually formed by the developers of private subdivisions or by the residents themselves. Not only do HOAs take care of the immediate needs of residents such as garbage collection, water supply, and peace and order, they also coordinate with barangays on implementing local laws and resolving conflicts before reaching the courts. In essence, HOAs can be called the de facto smallest unit of local governance.
It goes without saying that, despite their being regulated by the HLURB, HOAs can enjoy a level of autonomy in local affairs that is often denied of other local government units such as the barangay. They are free to formulate their own rules in various issues such as collecting dues, providing basic services inside the subdivision, and even regulating the access of vehicles and people inside.
And sometimes, sadly, HOAs have also become a mirror of the pervasive graft, lack of accountability and even patronage politics that have become part and parcel of Filipino politics.
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For instance, after the recent decision of the HOA of a large subdivision in a progressive city here in Laguna’s 1st district to raise their homeowners’ dues, some residents immediately raised this question to OpinYon Laguna: Saan po ba napupunta yung mga homeowners’ dues na binabayaran namin?
Some issued raised by these residents include the apparent lapses in garbage collection (in some cases, the city government itself has to step in to collect their garbage), the deteriorating flood situation in this subdivision, as well as the increasing cases of thieves and even unruly youths disrupting the peace at night.
Here’s a clue about that subdivision: recently, the barangay government decided to put up a large arch along its main road, raising eyebrows among residents and motorists who were affected by the traffic rerouting scheme.
Not only did the construction of the arch disrupt traffic flow, it apparently blocked an underground canal that channels floodwater to a creek – which meant that they had to construct a diversion canal in an area that has already become a catchbasin during the rainy season.
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Here's the thing: the next time your HOA decides to raise their monthly dues, don't just accept it. Step into the discussion. If there's a general meeting of the HOA, better attend. Raise issues with the officials or the board. Don’t let yourself be steamrolled by policies where residents could become the losers in the end. If we are to change our country’s political mindset, let’s start where it affects us most, and that is the HOAs.
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