For failure to pay dues: Condo management cuts off water supply of homeowners

CEBU, Philippines —  The Bamboo Bay Condo Corporation (BBCC) has cut-off water supply connections to 20 home owners due to non-payment.

BBCC is the company that manages the over 600-unit vertical village called Bamboo Bay, developed by Contempo Property Holdings, Inc.,

In a press conference, BBCC board of directors led by its president Deryl Vargas and vice president Fidel O. Abalos, the officers admitted that they had to disconnect water supply of 20 unit owners due to non-payment of monthly bills for years.

BBCC’s explanation came after a unit owner, lawyer Rex Fernandez publicized his “hunger strike” move, protesting against the alleged disconnection despite the presence of an injunction order.

According to Abalos, Fernandez is just one of the 20 unit owners whose water supply was disconnected, which was a decision made by the homeowners’ association saying “we cannot subsidize their water consumption.”

Abalos underscored that the developer of Bamboo Bay, Contempo Holdings has nothing to do with the decision of BBCC, and that if a case is to be filed, it should not be against the developer.

 Of the 600 condo units, about 500 are now occupied. These homeowners formed the BBCC.

The issue on injunction, however cannot be answered, as it is now pending in court, said Contempo legal counsel lawyer Deolito Alvarez.

Fernandez, a human rights lawyer mounted a “hunger strike” move on August 13, 2021.

According to Fernandez, he chose not to pay because according to the law, the condo corporation dues covered the payment for the maintenance of “common areas” in the area such as the hallways, roads, swimming pool and so on, which is supposed to be an initiative within the homeowners to contribute a certain amount to maintain the property and it will not be done at a rate of P90 per square meter.

He said in an earlier report that he went to the Mandaue City Assessor’s Office and found out that the Bamboo Bay management declared his condo as a 20-square-meter property.

Due to this, Fernandez continued to insist on not paying his condo corporation dues and had wanted to bring the matter to court so that he could finally meet the management and ask them for the computation.

Abalos said the prime reason for the disconnection is the non-payment of Fernandez of his condo corporation dues for almost four years.

Abalos further reasoned that BBCC needs funds right now to finance the additional cost of operations like disinfection and sanitation of the property.

Notices were issued to unit owners prior to the disconnection of their respective water supply.