There’s trouble brewing in one of the most exclusive villages in Manila. Residents of Ayala Alabang Village are protesting the construction of a proposed Community and Formation Center by St. James the Great Parish Foundation, which is set to be constructed inside Ayala Alabang Village. The village, one of the country’s most exclusive gated communities is known for wide stretches of land, lush, shady trees, and an encompassing sense of quiet—elements which sold the property to its residents, and which any new development puts under threat.

The property on which the church stands was donated by Ayala Land Inc. in 1992. The foundation proposes to build the two hundred ten million peso (Php 210,000,000) center complete with a parking garage in front of the St. James Church. Residents who live across the foundation’s property object to further expansions of the church, given not just the congestion, but the noise, and heavy parking problems such developments would bring.

To pave the way for the construction, the foundation has already demolished the church parking lot, which included an idyllic courtyard. Testimonies from residents reveal that the demolition was done secretly and on the sly; still others contend that the new events place is a money-making venture for the foundation—a venue to hold weddings and other events in, and not a purported “formation center” made to form the spirituality of devotees of the church.

Apart from its existing violations, there is also the Notice of Violation given to the St. James Parish Church when the latter was inspected by representatives of Muntinlupa City last October 8, 2018. The Church began demolishing their parking lot without a building permit; there was also a failure to post Building Permit Construction Information Signs. The Church was found to be non-compliant when it came to the work stoppage order for demolition. The Notice was given by Chief Inspector Leonilo E. Teofisto and representatives of the Church refused to sign the document.

These events have brought to light bigger questions: Why did a demolition transpire without all the necessary permits? And why weren’t residents properly involved or apprised of the new construction?

What happens next remains to be seen, but for the time being, this non-transparent expansion plan is a mounting concern among residents, and leaves the foundation urgent questions to answer.