Developer threatened with contempt of court

CEBU, Philippines – The court has ordered a condominium developer to explain why it should not be cited for contempt its failure to comply with an order to supply potable water to the residents of Towers 1 and 2 of Citylights Gardens Condominiums.

Regional Trial Court Branch 6 Ester Veloso gave Syntech Properties Inc, Arnold Mercado, Elly Limpag, Danilo Rodis, Ro Juntong, Eva Lua, Abner Cosep, Alejandro Osaraga and Toto Ermac ten days to explain why they should not be held in contempt for violating a court order dated May 26, 2009.

The court had issued a show-cause order against the Singaporean property developer Syntech Properties Inc. after an agreement for the developer to provide water to Towers 1 and 2 remained unfulfilled.

For several months, residents of the two towers have to haul water because their water supply was cut off.

Under the agreement, Syntech would supply potable water to Towers 1 and 2 starting June 1 at a maximum 150 cubic meters a day.

However, from June 1 up to the present, Syntech still allegedly failed to follow the agreement “to the continued prejudice of petitioner and the residents of Towers 1 and 2.”

The construction of Towers 1 and 2 started in 1997 and was completed in 2000. A total of 144 units have already been sold.

However, since Towers 3 and 4 are still undergoing construction to complete the entire development, Syntech spokesperson Danny Rodis said renovation of the common facilities of the development should be pursued.

Rodis said the problem “has been already solved,” considering that starting June 1, occupants of Towers 3 and 4 have enjoyed water from the central tank.

Rodis said a comprehensive report from a plumbing firm commissioned by Syntech for the re-piping of the entire project showed that there has been alteration of technical wiring to make it appear that Towers 1 and 2 had been deprived of water supply. — Jasmin R. Uy/LPM (THE FREEMAN)