Is Your Home Safe?
We purchased a house and lot at SummerVille Subdivision, Ibabao, Cordova, Cebu through Pag-ibig Fund. We have always dreamed of having our own house where we could live in peace and pictured my children's happy faces playing and running around the place. This dream turned into a nightmare.
Last week, September 25, 2009, around 2:00 pm, a group of men (a neighbor estimated them to be minors aged 16 below and suspected to be drug addicts) stole our bicycle
which was placed in front of our unit. The said bicycle was carried by one man and the rest were watchers. The man who carried the bike walked through the vacant lot. He could have gone away with the bike if not apprehended by a concerned neighbor working the fences on the vacant lot. The day before that incident, somebody replaced our new pair of slippers
with an old pair. The theft must have tried this little "trick" to see if he could be caught - and he was successful.
This is not the first time we've been robbed. An incident happened on June 26, 2009. I could not forget this day because it was my son's birthday! A suppose to be special day. My husband and I were so excited because we brought a cake as a surprise. But we were the ones surprised on the news when we arrived. We were robbed! When my mother went out to fetch my children from school, some robbers took off the jalousies from the windows at the back of our unit. The robbers went inside and got our DVD player, cellular phone and other unaccounted little things. They even emptied two bottles of mineral water! We have this reported to the Barangay Captain and at the Cordova Police Station. We reported the same to ABQ & Sons Realty and Development Corp. (ARDECOR Realty), the developer.They asked for suggestions on what proper actions to be done. We suggested that the vacant lot be fenced (a feature already on their subdivision plan) and to put a security outpost (with security guard - of course!) so they could not easily gain access in the subdivision. We've been expecting ARDECOR Realty to take immediate action about the incident but it is already three months since the first reported incident and there was no action taken. And now, another robbery had happened. This could not have happened if there was a guard posted (or a Barangay Tanod if they are cutting expenses. - When we first transferred in SummerVille Subdivision there was a guard; but they replaced him with a Barangay Tanod) and the place fully fenced as expected. I just could not figure the reason "lack of budget" when they have started the construction of another SummerVille Subdivision in Cotcot, Liloan.
We regret purchasing a unit at SummerVille Subdivision, Ibabao, Cordova. The featured fence and 24-hour security were not realized. This was even published at a local news paper, Sunstar Cebu and on their online news on Wednesday, October 25, 2006. - "The subdivision will also feature parks and playgrounds, fence and 24-hour security." Since 2006, not one of these features was realized. This was the first factor we have considered in buying a unit - a secure place. We thought ARDECOR Realty is credible but we were dismayed by their inaction. If we could only return the said unit and take back all our payments, we have done so. We could not live in peace here thinking what might happen next. Our children feared even a tiny squeak they hear at night thinking the bad guys would come back. This is very unhealthy and we could not live like this forever.
If you are planning to purchase a house and lot at SummerVille Subdivision, think again. If you have enough finances to secure your place go with your dreams; but if you are in a tight budget, BUY AT YOUR OWN RISK. If you are considering another place, make sure that the whole site is already fully fenced and that full security is already implemented otherwise you might end up like us - a dog barking at the moon.
Last week, September 25, 2009, around 2:00 pm, a group of men (a neighbor estimated them to be minors aged 16 below and suspected to be drug addicts) stole our bicycle
which was placed in front of our unit. The said bicycle was carried by one man and the rest were watchers. The man who carried the bike walked through the vacant lot. He could have gone away with the bike if not apprehended by a concerned neighbor working the fences on the vacant lot. The day before that incident, somebody replaced our new pair of slippers with an old pair. The theft must have tried this little "trick" to see if he could be caught - and he was successful.This is not the first time we've been robbed. An incident happened on June 26, 2009. I could not forget this day because it was my son's birthday! A suppose to be special day. My husband and I were so excited because we brought a cake as a surprise. But we were the ones surprised on the news when we arrived. We were robbed! When my mother went out to fetch my children from school, some robbers took off the jalousies from the windows at the back of our unit. The robbers went inside and got our DVD player, cellular phone and other unaccounted little things. They even emptied two bottles of mineral water! We have this reported to the Barangay Captain and at the Cordova Police Station. We reported the same to ABQ & Sons Realty and Development Corp. (ARDECOR Realty), the developer.They asked for suggestions on what proper actions to be done. We suggested that the vacant lot be fenced (a feature already on their subdivision plan) and to put a security outpost (with security guard - of course!) so they could not easily gain access in the subdivision. We've been expecting ARDECOR Realty to take immediate action about the incident but it is already three months since the first reported incident and there was no action taken. And now, another robbery had happened. This could not have happened if there was a guard posted (or a Barangay Tanod if they are cutting expenses. - When we first transferred in SummerVille Subdivision there was a guard; but they replaced him with a Barangay Tanod) and the place fully fenced as expected. I just could not figure the reason "lack of budget" when they have started the construction of another SummerVille Subdivision in Cotcot, Liloan.
We regret purchasing a unit at SummerVille Subdivision, Ibabao, Cordova. The featured fence and 24-hour security were not realized. This was even published at a local news paper, Sunstar Cebu and on their online news on Wednesday, October 25, 2006. - "The subdivision will also feature parks and playgrounds, fence and 24-hour security." Since 2006, not one of these features was realized. This was the first factor we have considered in buying a unit - a secure place. We thought ARDECOR Realty is credible but we were dismayed by their inaction. If we could only return the said unit and take back all our payments, we have done so. We could not live in peace here thinking what might happen next. Our children feared even a tiny squeak they hear at night thinking the bad guys would come back. This is very unhealthy and we could not live like this forever.
If you are planning to purchase a house and lot at SummerVille Subdivision, think again. If you have enough finances to secure your place go with your dreams; but if you are in a tight budget, BUY AT YOUR OWN RISK. If you are considering another place, make sure that the whole site is already fully fenced and that full security is already implemented otherwise you might end up like us - a dog barking at the moon.
The jalousies were taken from the windows
The back of the house where the jalousies were carefully piled by the culprits
Vacant lot as pictured from our window. The picture was taken the day after the first robbery
mao bah....nagplano baya mi sa akong asawa nga mokuha mi nila ug unit sa liloan. ingon ani diay ni sila, batia diay noh? nag duha duha na hinuon mi da...ngita na lang siguro mi ug lain. thanks sa information ha
ReplyDeleteThanks sa information, now we have some ideas about them...maau lang diay ni sila sa salestalk then kung mahalin na biyaan na lang ka nila di na ka atimanon...kabati!
ReplyDeletesad to say but yes. ingon ana kabati ang ARDECOR. mas ok pa gani ang genesis nga subdivision kay fully fenced ang area, concrete pa jud. sa summerville arte kaau cla if mgpafence ka sa house - dili pwede mga interlinked wires, barb wires, wood, kawayan or maskin unsa na temporary fence pero ang ila fence sa entrance kay sin as in GI sheets. nindot ra na ila subdivision sa picture, maayo lng na cla sa storya nga naay children's playground, commercial complex pero 3 years na sukad na gi-launch ang summerville wala gihapon na nga mga amenities. they always promise to put up temporary fences but until now wala pa gihapon.. haaaayyyzzzz..... so, if you don't want to end like us, basin mgmahay lang mo ... advice nako ninyo, ayaw na lang jud mo ug dayon sa summerville. pangita ug subdivision na close na sa fence ang whole area dili pareho sa summerville nga maskin kinsay makaagi even mga kawatan makasulod kay very open kaayo.
ReplyDeleteThen naa pa gyud, istrikto kaau cla sa mga animals. domesticated pets lng ang pwede sa inyong balay pero watch out! daghan kaayo mga dogs sa silingan nga dili taga summerville ang manulod sa subdivision unya mgbilin pa jud ug "tae". mao na ang biggest cr dnhe kay even ang vacant lot sa amo atbang daghan mangalibang nga mga tawo. makita man sa among window.
I am an Americano living in Guimaras,near Iloilo, with my wonderful Filipina wife. We have the same type of windows you have, but unfortunately need bars over all the windows and doors to prevent theft problems, also. And we just live in a small rural province. Sorry about your loss, and the fact that no one seems to be doing anything about it.
ReplyDeleteyeah that's true, they didn't do anything. what we received were only promises. thanks for your response.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad situation. To be so happy and secure in your new home only to be violated like that. I feel for you as a mom especially knowing your kids do not feel safe either. I sincerely hope you are able to find a resolution soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tanyia!
ReplyDeleteWe were planning to put grills on the window but we are on our tough times right now and could not even save a little for that purpose. For now, we don't leave the house without having someone to look for it. My kids are recovering (a great relief!) and they seem too happy with their newfound friends in the neighborhood. At least their minds were already diverted.
hello my good neighbor.. i guess we're just so lucky to have our unit located where most units are occupied and with residents who are not leaving their homes unmanned.. i would've reacted the same but it still scares me. it's just a blessing in disguise i'm working now in the luxury of my home.. i heard we "had" a meeting about this but i was not informed.. they must've forgotten to knock on my door, LOL
ReplyDeletei did not even know we "had" a meeting about this. they must have forgotten me also, COL (is this for "Crying Out Loud" ?) LOL
ReplyDeleteI don't think there are safe neighborhood in Cebu. Even in Maria Luisa where we use to live, daghan kawat nga incident. Considering Ma Luisa is high class secured society kuno.
ReplyDeleteDapat since that is your property, imo unta na gi fence and you installed a grill on your windows. Maybe a dog caged outside will help secure your house. Maybe a video camera infront and back can help secure you and your family from being robed.
I heard genesis subdivision has a lot of burglar incident. Like what I've said, dili guarantee ang usa ka subdivision from having zero burglars etc. You have to secure your property. Fenced it, grill it, video camera it and I'm sure you will feel better.
Thanks for the advise Albert. Indeed we planned to put-up a fence and grills but we cannot afford yet. The fence needs a good amount of cash and we are out-of-budget. According to Ardecor Realty, the fences should be concrete, and only steels are allowed, materials like interlinked or barb wires, woods or bamboos are not allowed. But Ardecor put-up fences using G.I. sheets and barb wires (lol!). I agree that there's theft anywhere but if Summerville Subdivision has concrete perimeter fence and tight security, I doubt that the thieves could easily gain access to the place. The Whole area is so open as if inviting them to come. Kami ra man sab sa luyo ang suki nila because aside from the open space there are still a few occupants (as of now, 4 units are occupied compared to the 2 at the time of the incident).
ReplyDeleteToday, they have put-up temporary fence (barb wires) on the open area. Though this does not guarantee our safety, at least they have done something now. We're hoping that they would also assign another security guard (or barangay tanod) to man our area.
Thanks again, Albert!
just want to add some ideas on subdivisions. subdivisions are supposed to be a safe place to live. the developer is the one responsible for its security especially when it's still not endorsed to the homeowners. nobody would want to buy a unit in a subdivision if they were not promised by the developer the safety of the place. if developers could not provide security, then it's like buying an individual house and lot from anywhere (which costs less than buying a unit from a subdivision). homeowners need not have to build gates and fences for their own unit, it's the developer's responsibility to provide fences for the whole area and security as i mentioned above. i have visited their site, and was disappointed with what i saw. it's much different from the picture i've seen on their ads, starting from the gate to the fences. the amenities they brag were not there (like the children's playground). the only same feature they have are the units but i think they are not strongly built because i observed some cracks on the units.
ReplyDeleteyeah, i agree with you that...the pictures are different with what we've seen in the personal, it's really disappointing. The cracks also are true...hope buyers are aware for this kind of subdivisions especially with the same developer
ReplyDelete