Admin announces new lobby security intercom numbers

If you are having a hard time contacting your lobby guards, it is because the CGS Admin changed the numbers last Tuesday. The new lobby numbers are:

Anaheim is #1902
Burbank is #1903
Carlton is #1904
Dayton is #1905
El Dorado is #1906
Fairfax is #1907
Glenhaven is #1908
Hennesy is #1575

Other important numbers are:
Main Gate - Car Entrance (Libertad Street) is #1900
Main Gate - Pedestrian Entrance (Libertad Street) is #1522
Anaheim Entrance (beside David's Salon) is #1901

Please report any unusual activities with the lobby guards and please do not use the lobby guards as taxi callers. Their primary duty is to maintain order and secure entrance of the lobby area. If we use them for other work, they will not be able to perform their duties at 100 percent.

Make a copy of these numbers and post it near your phones. You can also save it in your mobile phones so you can remember who to call in case you are not home. The CGS Trunkline is +63 (2) 534 3721.

Acknowledgements: Chris Gregerson, 2006 - cgstock.com for woman's picture.

Outgoing board thanks residents for their participation

The pinnacle of our success will not be gauged by the programs and projects pushed and succeeded but it is the support of residents that gives each members of the board fuel to give their time to guarantee that the value of our hard-earned investments will not go to nothing.

The outgoing board headed by Mrs. Edy Reyes will be best remembered for putting the CGS Admin to task with all the standard services that First Oceanic should be delivering to residents, tenants and homeowners alike, to begin with. Her tireless effort to make sure that those sitting in to provide the necessary services with the CGS Administration has born fruit and the team she led successfully roused the consciousness of residents that there are many of them who want to instill discipline and change to make sure the value of their properties increase and not diminish because of reluctance and weak character. This is perhaps what made the Community Support Group gain more popularity weeks after weeks because more people are joining in to support the cause of this volunteer-based group.

From the bottom of our hearts, and in behalf of the team led by our dear Mrs. Reyes, thank you for your trust and may our tribe increase.

SOME OF the outgoing members of the 2nd Board of Trustees (L-R): July Mirasol (Henessy), Marie Villanueva (El Dorado), Kristoffer Atienza (Burbank), Mrs. Edy Reyes (Anaheim), Jae Ranjo III (Glenhaven), Mervin Santos (Fairfax), Gerry Ibarrientos (Anaheim), and Galileo Medina (Glenhaven); Not in picture: Pie Bataclan (Burbank), Atty. Analeah Ubarra (Carlton), Atty. Kit Villasis (Carlton), Atty. Lucky Billena (Carlton), Mars Sangalang (Dayton), Ferdie Teylan (Dayton), Gina Baldemeca (Fairfax), James Bon (Henessy)

Meet your Cluster Representatives

For the first time you will see the faces of the incoming cluster representatives of the Community Support Group. This is important so you can identify and provide your support to the 3rd Board of Trustees who will facilitate the collective needs of the residents. They will continue the unfinished programs of the 2nd Board of Trustees and will need your support to push programs that will benefit - not just the units you own or live in - the common interest of every CGS resident. Meet them now:

STANDING (L-R): Venus Buencamino (Burbank), Mark Ryan Lopez (Dayton), Louie Panganiban (Dayton), Gerry Ibarrientos (Anaheim), Jae Ranjo III (Glenhaven), Tess Gabat (Carlton), Corinna Mojica (Carlton), Marie Villanueva (El Dorado); SEATED (L-R): Brando de Guzman (El Dorado), July Mirasol (Hennessy), Jun Cañita (Burbank), Abel Lebarda (Anaheim), Mervin Santos (Fairfax), Galileo Medina (Glenhaven)
Not in picture: James Bon (Hennessy)
Special Election: Fairfax Representative 2

The board meets every first Thursday of the month and if you want to have your issues tackled, please email us at cgscsg@gmail.com and we'll forward it to your designated representatives of each cluster.

Incoming board elects new officers

The 3rd Board of Trustees held their first special meeting last May 25 to elect their new set of officers and committee members. The new board elected one of the Glenhaven Cluster representative and former Vice President of the 2nd Board of Trustees, Mr. Jae Ranjo III. JR headed the Security Committee and coordinated the security issues of residents of the previous board. His election was preceded by the appointment of a fellow former board member and re-electionist Anaheim Cluster representative, Gerry Ibarrientos. Mr. Ibarrientos will bring in his experience as an engineer who helped the team understand electricity cost concerns. The rest of the officers are Mr. Louie Panganiban (Dayton) as Secretary; Teresita Gabat (Carlton) as Treasurer, and Mr. Mark Ryan Lopez (Dayton) as Public Relations. The latter is the newest position formed in the group that will help disseminate information to CGS residents.

THE NEW officers leading the 3rd Board of Trustees are (From Left to Right): Mark Ryan Lopez (Public Relations), Louie Panganiban (Secretary), Gerry Ibarrientos (Vice President), Jae Ranjo III (President), and Teresita Gabat (Treasurer).

THE Officers also recognized the new committee members who serves like cabinet secretaries to each post they will be assigned to. These are:

(L-R) Administrative Oversight Committee (Alpha): Marie Villanueva and Tess Gabat; Utilities Committee (Bravo): Gerry Ibarrientos and Jun Cañita; CGSCSG President Jae Ranjo III; Housekeeping Committee (Charlie): Corinna Mojica and Venus Buencamino; and Security Committee (Delta): Mervin Santos and Galileo Medina

Responsibilities:
Alpha Committee: In charge of follow through of tabled open items, projects, and programs with First Oceanic
Bravo Committee: In charge of electricity, water, and elevator concerns
Charlie Committee: In charge of complaints regarding parking areas, clubhouse, hall ways, and others
Delta Committee: Coordinates with Security OIC of CGS and oversees work of Security personnel

The team has also received support from former board of trustee members who will act as legal advisers. They are: Atty Lucky Billena and Atty Christian 'Kit' Villasis.

It is our hope that with these developments, you will be more encouraged to help us reach our goal in overseeing administrative functions of First Oceanic and Empire East. If you need to get in touch with any of our sitting-in members of the board, please email us at cgscsg@gmail.com. Please indicate your concerns clearly and we'll get in touch with you as soon as possible.

New board elected/appointed during May 22 meeting

We just finished our General Assembly and Election of new Board Members for 2010 - 2011. We elected/appointed sixteen new members of the Community Support Group composed of two representatives from each cluster. Here is a draft of what we discussed in that morning meeting attended by more than fifty current and new members of the SEC-registered group.

Preliminaries
* Outgoing president, Mrs. Edy Reyes, called the meeting to order at 9:08 AM
* The outgoing Carlton cluster representative, Atty. Lea Ubarra, led members to prayer 9:10 AM.

Order of Business
* The outgoing Glenhave cluster representative and CSG Vice President, Jae Ranjo III, gave a description why the CSG exists and how the community can help in his Opening Remarks.

* Mrs. Reyes and the outgoing Carlton cluster representative II, Atty. Kitt Villasis, started giving details of the accomplishment report:
o The following accomplishments read and explained are:

A. Water rates adjustment
Working alongside a group of elder citizens who call themselves as "The CSG Senior Citizens Group," the community successfully adjusted the water rate system in January of 2009. A landmark success contributed by the help of concerned residents in CGS.

B. Mobilization of residents
For the first time, CSG led town-hall meeting styles where the group consulted with residents how to best solve the pressing situation in the community. The effort opened ways for residents to contribute in the system and find ways in solving problems.

C. Real Property Tax (Common Areas, 2006-2009 coverage)
The group successfully informed residents the option of not paying the RPT of common areas without due explanation coming from the Empire East or even the CGS Condo Association Incorporated (CGSCAI) detailing why RPT was not paid during 2006-2009 and what led to the computation of the amount being asked from the residents.
1. Atty Ubarra assured residents:
a. Amount of RPT should follow what City Assessor computed
b. Payment of RPT can last until year 2012

D. Elevators permit
This is a feat considering that permit to operate elevators in Metro Manila is not a normal thing. This permit ensures accountability by the City Government to make sure that these utilities are run excellently for the benefit and safety of the residents.

E. Strengthening ties with City Hall Government
No less than the mayor of Mandaluyong, Hon. Benhur Abalos, graced the swearing in occasion of the CSG signaling the city's commitment in supporting efforts led by the group.

F. Installation of CCTV
These CCTVs are important in providing extra security with residents. CSG asked for CCTVs to be installed in more areas such as parking lots, key Fire Exit areas, to deter theft and other criminal activities.

G. Regular Water Testing (Potability)
CGS demanded that water testing be done immediately to ensure that potability of water coming out of the CGS faucets are clean. Such action provides value to your units.

H. Improvement of Mailing Service
The Mandaluyong Postal Service once asked the help of the community to organize the system inside CGS. We are happy that CGS Admin responded to this request.

I. Implementation of RESA law with follow-up with Admin
The CGS Admin know how serious CSG is in implementing this Real Estate Service Act of RESA law, which the government passed last year. The law intends to protect the real estate brokers industry and to protect homeowners from fly-by-night characters who has the potential to victimize portential CGS tenants and/or investors.

J. En Banc dialogue (monthly) with CGS Admin panel
Without cooperation, it would be difficult to reach a goal and that's why it was important for CSG board members to hold regular dialogues and meetings with First Oceanic Properties admin personnel to give first-hand information, requests, and/or demands that CGS Admin need to address.

K. Close watch on billings, Telephone service, and Destiny Cable
Billings are as regular as taxes so it is very important to keep these utility companies in check. We compared per kilowatt-hour rates with those out the CGS community. This ensures that we get the best rates possible knowing that CGS has its own way to distribute electricity in all the units lowering distribution charge normally felt by our neighbors in Mandaluyong.

L. Close coordination with CGS Security Force Commander Chief
Keeping a professional but familial relationship with the Office In Charge and security personnel of our community keeps us safer. We meet regularly with the office of the security of CGS to address peace and order situation in CGS.

M. Reposting of Swimming Pool Guard
The swimming pool guard guarantees the safety from those characters with questionable intent roaming in our clubhouse. Outside residents frequent our place and it is but necessary to post guards and be a deterrent to those who have different plans in mind.

N. Swimming pool cleaning/Repair
One of the top concerns by CSG is the maintenance of the pool. This was addressed by the CGS Admin by cleaning the pool recently. It is now a challenge to keep this pool cleaned at a regular basis.

O. CGSCSG Chronicle
Mrs. Reyes spearheaded the formation of this community newsletter with the intent of making residents aware of important matters in the community. This newsletter was first published last year and it will be a regular feature of our community.


OPEN ITEMS - Theese are items that have not yet accomplished fully by the group.
The outgoing Carlton representative, Atty. Lucky Billena, gave a rundown on the following dates and details of these items that have yet to be accomplished:

1. May 7, 2009
Broken windows have not yet been addressed by CGS administration office

2. June 4, 2009
a. Water/Electricity (Bravo Committee) – Doubling electricity rates; CGS Engineering owned up to the unique
b. Housekeeping – Pet sanitation problem

3. August 13, 2009 – Gym and Swimming Pool
a. The need to have a lifeguard and security guard
b. There are still unregistered brokers renting out rooms of unit owners
c. Facebook

4. September 10, 2009
a. Need for reassessment of security force situation and respective measures at California Garden Square
b. Biometrics – What’s the latest on this?

5. September 12, 2009
a. Generators problem of Cluster

6. October 10, 2009 – 4th Special Meeting Series of 2009
a. Billing problem and its accounting systems and procedures
i. Posting is still being done manually – what is the update on this?

7. December 3, 2009
a. Testing of fire alarms and fire extinguishers

8. April 13, 2009
a. Actual CGSA 2008 amd 2009 expenses
b. Income of CGSA for 2008 and 2009
c. CGSA 2008 and 2009 collection

Thank you for your continued support. Please continue to be vigilant and diligent to make the CGS Admin accountable. We need to improve the value of our investments - whether homeowner or tenant.

May 22 General Assembly Meeting

If you don't know it yet, we're having a General Assembly meeting this coming Saturday, May 22, 9 AM at the CGS Clubhouse. Aside from giving you updates on pressing issues such as Real Estate Property Tax (RPT) for the common areas between 2006 - 2009 and increased premium with the association dues, we'll also hold our annual officers' election for the group.

The group to be formed will be our 3rd Board of Representatives serving our clusters and the whole community. It'll be a privilege to work with this group because of great strides you will accomplish to help improve the living conditions inside our community and to put forth more value to our investments. See you there!

Recap of our February 13 General Assmebly Meeting

If you attended our 2nd General Assembly meeting last Feruary 13, we just want to thank you for supporting the concerns of all the homeowners and tenants alike. Here's the rundown of what we talked about in our meeting:

First, we want you to abide by the law and to pay the Real Property Tax for common areas but the CGS Condominium Association, Incorporated (CGSCAI) should first clarify questions surrounding the amount they're asking residents to pay. Second, they should also justify the increased association dues they're asking as stipulated in their Circular 01-2010. Where's the basic services that they should've delivered in 2009? How did they come up with the computation? Is CGS Admin deputized to collect taxes? There are more questions than answers.

Please be reminded that we are merely holding off any payments until the CGS Administration and/or the CGSCAI explain the amount they're asking from us. Until that time, please pay only the old rate and do not forget to pay your Real Property Tax for 2010.

We ask you to tell everyone you know in CGS to hold off any additional payments because it'll be wise for all of us to know what we're paying for and where our money is going to. It is just but a responsible thing for any resident to do.

To help you with the payment, please download the letter you see on the left and print out an extra copy for the CGS Admin to sign off. The letter they sign is your proof that explains our position and that the administration should also regard and act appropriately to our demands as residents in good standing.

Finally, please tell anyone you know that we will continue on this fight for as long as we help each other out. If you need more information, please email us at cgscsg@gmail.com. We will keep you posted for any developments.