BF residents hail GMA order for MWSS takeover of waterless subdivisions

Officials, leaders, and residents of BF Homes in Parañaque are rejoicing over President Arroyo’s landmark executive order authorizing the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to take control of waterless subdivisions.

Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. said the people of BF Homes and the whole of Parañaque thank Mrs. Arroyo for signing Executive Order 688.

According to him, Malacañang has empowered the MWSS to provide service to waterless villages, especially those abandoned or neglected by developers or owners.

“We thank the President. Fulfilled promise niya ito. We thank the homeowners who worked and cooperated with us,” Bernabe said.

“We thank the media who helped us in the campaign. We thank the national government agencies for their support. We thank the Lord,” he added.

Bernabe has been among those spearheading efforts to solve BF Homes’ water problem since residents have been asking for help for years.

The subdivision is considered to be the biggest residential village in the country since it actually cuts through the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa.

He held meetings with 76 homeowners’ association presidents who filed petitions for takeover before the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) and other national government offices.

The Homeowners Welfare Advocacy Group (HWAG), headed by Hernan Juatas, also worked on the problem by filing numerous petitions before the Office of the President.

Even warring groups battling for control of BF Homes were united in hailing Mrs. Arroyo’s issuance of EO 688.

“A welcome feat at last. We sincerely thank the President,” United BF Homeowners Association Inc. (UBFHAI) president Celso Reyes said.

Reyes’ rival, former UBFHAI president Rolando Navarro, said they are “grateful to the President and the Vice President for acting on our request.”

Bernabe said Malacañang’s move will benefit more than 75,000 residents who will soon enjoy the benefits of dependable MWSS water services.