Best Posts in Thread: Guarded subdivisions

Ayala subdivisions are top end, but that puts them beyond the reach of the average foreigner who retires in Philippines.

How much is out of reach? Here is a link to the first one that comes up in my search . . . 40 million pesos. With a little luck a person might get a lot in a new Ayala development and build a small house for half of that but still beyond the reach of the average guy retiring here.

 

A subdivision at concept should be approved by the Housing and land use regulatory board, whom have specific rules as to the design of any developments, example the amount of free space, the width of the roads, the road from the subdivision to the national road system, the drainage systems, the utility requirements water, electricity. Basically the same as any planning department found within the USA or Europe. This is the responsibility of the developer to obtain the approval of the regulatory board. When the development is completed the issue is then handed to the home owners whom have to form a committee and set a plan as to how the subdivision is to be managed, this is a bureaucratic procedure and when completed has to be submitted to the regulatory board and if approved they will issue a certificate of registration of the subdivision. Once registered then the subdivision has the backing of the regulatory board with any local issues, example they will ensure regular garbage collection, they have top notch lawyers whom can pressure the utility companies to maintain a quality supply of services. Complete detail can be found at HLURB.gov,ph if you have the time to try and negotiate this site. A copy of the registration certificate has to be posted at the gate house.

 

One thing I got to add Jens....Most of the residents of gated communities...at all levels...from the cheaper ones with the sleeping guards - and wonky doll houses - to the Ayala premier subdivisions - are actually Filipinos. Fair number of Western expats amongst them of course, but the majority in every subdivision I have seen - are, Filipinos. I know those who make up the overwhelming number of my 'possible' neighbours - are businessmen, doctors, lawyers and others towards the top of the food chain. If they feel the need for that level of security.....I'm sure it is for a reason. Got an uncle, quite wealthy, good Catholic (and actually gives tremendous amounts of money and charity work away to very worthy causes), who lives outside of a subdivision - but in Bacolod. He has a nice house in a fine neighbourhood. And he has four guards at night, cameras everywhere, alarm systems, and an armoury in his bedroom. Told him several times to move to Ayala....but no success yet.

Good luck for all those living out in town....wish them all the luck in the world and sincerely hope they have great lives. But my opinion means nothing - my wife is dead set serious - gated secure community or nothing. And I think she knows better than me.

 

Fair enough Jens...I think we can all quote lucky breaks, or even sustained periods of survival against the odds. Before I met my wife, I had a girlfriend in Tondo. Nice young lady and she was working at a Makati bank. Whenever, I went to her house - she lived with her parents and brothers and sisters - in a real house in Tondo..basic but decent..It wasn't cardboard - or plywood. The taxi drivers always refused to go there. I'd get out and walk the last k or so...I survived, was a big boy and recent Marine LOL - but did get propositioned by several young ladies each time - some showing what they got....My girlfriend's brothers would always escort me out of the place - not that I wanted or needed it but they did. I accept there is a certain degree of risk not living in a guarded subdivision. I accept there is less risk, even considerably less risk, living in a guarded and gated high-quality subdivision. It is a roll of the dice. If you want better safety in a local community, Malaysia has a great retirement visa program and prices are higher - but not outrageous living there. Some regions better than others of course....I'm not advocating Malaysia or anywhere else...But the Philippines has challenges....recently improved a bit...but still challenging from what I am hearing. My wife is off there again in a couple weeks....I've got some refurbishment work to get done on our house here while she is away....My pick of the Asian litter, by far - is Japan....If we could get decent visas there our feet wouldn't touch the ground on the way to the airport. We have spent a lot of time there last few years - and I lived there as a kid and as a Marine. Never happen though - LOL - last thing they need is two more old people - even if they are self-supporting....

Back to paradise....All it takes in Dumaguete or anywhere else - is a couple shabu addicts - to like your house....and it won't matter how nice you are - or how low your profile is - at 3AM - that it isn't on their agenda.

 

My first time here in yonks, but in answer to the OP....as expected....there were a range of opinions. Given that I don't live there, and may never actually live in the Philippines, due to my own health issues over last few years. It is almost immaterial to me - although you never know - we may decide to make the move. That said we do have several lots - combined into a very large lot in a major subdivision near Bacolod, with neighbours like members of the Lacson family etc. It is well guarded and gated. And frankly I have never heard of any major incidents beyond 'visitors' at the clubhouse getting drunk and destructive, and the usual theft by maids etc....The guards are armed, as are the roving patrols - 12 gauges and handguns. People sleep well at night - knowing they will wake up alive. Not sure if we will ever utilise that land, but the good news is the land value has tripled since we bought it.

That said, the pick of the litter is an Ayala subdivision. Bacolod has a major Ayala subdivision complex....broken into sections - it is so large. I am amazed Dumaguete hasn't got one yet. Their security is the best in the Philippines for residential living. It is not entirely fail-safe. Nothing there is....but it as close as you'll ever get to perfect security. I do know they are very proactive, and point out risks to residents so they can be improved. Mostly ex-military, a lot of them former Philippine Marines.