What would make your neighborhood an ideal one?
For some it would probably be in a gated residential village where entry is controlled by security guards who somehow have the right to confiscate driver’s licenses in exchange for a generic piece of plastic, with access to a clubhouse that has a covered court and a swimming pool for residents.
For others like me who are not so ‘lucky’, who live in less exclusive areas that have no gates with security guards, but just the random barangay tanod every now and then, the attractiveness of a neighborhood largely depends on its peace and order situation, cleanliness, and convenience. Since there are no homeowners’ associations for such neighborhoods, we have to depend on our local government.
My home is located in a neighborhood that is rapidly commercializing. Majority of my neighbors are still residences, but the identity of our area is starting to get blurred as all sorts of commercial establishments are starting to pop up.
If you look at the bright side, we live within a 5-minute walk to almost everything we might need. There is a supermarket, a couple of banks, schools, coffee shops, eateries, laundry, barbershop/parlor, gym, churches of all denominations. Because of that, the area can get busy during the daytime, especially during school days, peaking at around dismissal time, but when it is no longer peak it can still be a generally ok area to live in.
However, if you look at the flip side, it can get pretty annoying, especially when there is no sense of regulation, especially when it feels like no order being enforced by any local authority.
In my case, the area in front of my home turns into a tricycle terminal during school dismissal time, which means my driveway has been blocked multiple times by inconsiderates.
Also, when it gets busy, our street which leads out into the national road can get pretty crowded and annoying, especially when vehicles park, wait, or unload right at the corner, often within plain sight of a traffic enforcer that doesn’t do anything about such blatant traffic violations.
And because there are restaurants and other entertainment venues nearby, there is the potential for noise pollution, especially late at night, when a random karaoke session becomes too loud. Fortunately for us, that hasn’t been too much of an issue too many times (yet). Hopefully we won’t have to take collective neighborly action against any sources of noise pollution in the near future.
One recent concern for me is the commercial establishment that recently opened in front of my home, which was initially fine because its proprietors have every right to run a business. However, as their roofing business grew, equipment started to encroach outside their rented property, and now there are service vehicles and delivery trucks taking up what should be the sidewalk and practically occupying any and all public parking areas in their general area, which includes outside my home. It was none of my business when they were running a business within the bounds of their rented property, but it looks like I’m going to be making it my business now that their business includes what could constitute as illegal parking.
When things get busy and chaotic, it is when I start to appreciate how those who live in gated villages have clear rules and regulations to follow, courtesy of their homeowners associations where reporting issues is easy and maybe not even necessary when they have regular patrols to ensure order and compliance.
If you come to think of it, there is probably a system for reporting and resolving neighborhood complaints in our barangay. Whether it is for a noise complaint, blocked driveways, illegal or overnight parking by individuals or businesses, busted street lights, uncollected trash, or stray animals. The issue for most of us is the ease of accessing that system, which should be made as convenient and accessible as possible for residents.
Too many of us assume that our barangay officials work full time, that tanods are patrolling and the kapitan is captaining. But the reality is that we have to be the one to talk to our neighbors and/or report to the barangay if we see something that we don’t like happening in our neighborhood, and that is only when they might step in.
With the world seemingly going to hell, our only recourse is to focus on our neighborhoods, and make sure that at least it is a pleasant place to live, work, and play in. Maybe it is time for us to be more involved, or expect more from our barangay officials who could and should do better, as a well-managed barangay might even serve as a springboard or showcase for bigger responsibilities.*
