BIZ BUZZ: Multimillion Dasma Village dilemma

The good news is that the homeowners’ association of Dasmariñas Village in Makati City is flush with cash and is, in fact, planning to build a “community center” inside the posh gated subdivision that will supposedly cost P215 million. How many homeowners’ associations have that kind of money to burn, right?

But the bad news is that not everyone among the village’s well-heeled denizens is happy about this proposal that the current leadership of the Dasmariñas Village Association (DVA) is pushing.

According to one resident —who approached Biz Buzz on behalf of “over 100 residents who oppose the plan” —practically no consultation went into the decision to build the multilevel community center where the village’s current sports facilities are between Campanilla and Calumpang Streets.

In particular, they are questioning the “need to build a facility that will have 138 parking slots for four-wheeled vehicles and another 80 slots for motorcycles.”

“Why so many parking slots? Is this going to be a commercial space?” one resident asked, adding that the estimated construction period of two to three years will disrupt the peace and quiet of the community, while many trees are also expected to be removed.

Recently, Leopoldo Camara of the association’s special projects committee sent out a letter to homeowners to dispel “misinformation being spread about the proposed community center,” explaining that the proposal was a decade old.

“The proposed community center is a long-term solution that covers the problems of parking foremost, then consolidation and organization of various facilities, addition of a convenience store and other services, which will enhance the experience in visiting DVA’s park,” he said. Will the skeptical homeowners acquiesce?

“The association has a healthy fiscal position and we thank them for the fiscal prudence. But those funds can be put to better use for the community,” one resident said. “We have over 1,000 households here, but only seven people decided on this.”

So will the association conduct more consultations? Or will it ram the project through? Abangan! —Daxim L. Lucas

Safer roads for all

One of the country’s biggest expressway operators is taking extra steps to make roads safer for all users.

Its various programs were recently highlighted by Metro Pacific Tollways, part of Manuel Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific, as road accidents kill thousands of Filipinos annually. Bad driving habits are a big part of the problem.

Thus, the company has several educational programs for adults and even young children. One of the more recent initiatives was a tie-up between North Luzon Expressway and Nickelodeon that features safety messages in the Paw Patrol cartoon.

Truck drivers can also avail themselves of educational programs. The company said seven bus lines and 13 trucking companies have so far participated.

Rodrigo Franco, company president and CEO, said they were committed to improving road safety even outside their toll road network.

“Road safety is at the core of Metro Pacific Tollways’ business,” he said. —Miguel R. Camus