Maliit na negosyo sa loob ng subdivision, pinapayagan ng batas

ni PAO Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta @Magtanong Kay Attorney | March 21, 2026

Dear Chief Acosta,

Isa akong maybahay na nais magbukas ng maliit na sari-sari store para makatulong sa kita ng pamilya. Dahil mahal ang upa ng pwesto, balak naming buksan ang negosyo sa unang palapag ng bahay namin sa isang socialized housing subdivision. Ngunit sabi ng kapatid ko, kailangan pa diumano ng permit mula sa homeowners’ association at mga kapitbahay. Tama ba ito? Nais ko po sanang maliwanagan. Maraming salamat.

— Mari

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Dear Mari,

Sinusuportahan ng Estado ang karapatan ng mga tao at homeowners na bumuo ng samahan. Kung kaya’t nagtatag ng batas ukol sa pangangasiwa sa mga homeowners’ association sa ating bansa. Ayon sa Seksyon 49 (k), Rule 9, ng Implementing Rules and Regulations ng Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9904, o mas kilala bilang “The Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations”:

“RULE 9. THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

Section 49. Rights and Powers of the Association. –  An association shall have the following rights and powers: 

k. Subject to consultation and with the approval of a simple majority of the association members, allow the establishment of certain institutions such as, but not limited to, schools, hospitals, markets, grocery stores and other similar establishments that will necessarily affect the character of the subdivision/village in terms of traffic generation x x x Provided, That such prior approval shall not be necessary for the establishment of sari-sari stores, home industries and similar small-scale business enterprises within the subdivision/village classified as socialized housing;”

Batay sa nabanggit na batas, sa mga subdivision o village na maituturing bilang socialized housing, hindi na kailangan ng pahintulot mula sa homeowners’ association para magtayo ng maliit na negosyo.

Kaya naman, dahil nakatira ka sa subdivision na ganito ang klasipikasyon, maaaring hindi mo na kailangang humingi ng permiso sa iyong mga kapitbahay, kasama na ang homeowners’ association, bago ka magbukas ng maliit na sari-sari store. 

Kung makikialam ang inyong homeowners’ association, malalabag ang batas at maaaring managot ang mga taong responsible sa paglabag at mapatawan ng kaukulang parusa. Ayon sa Seksyon 23 ng parehong batas:

“Section 23. Penalties and Sanctions. - Any person who, intentionally or by gross negligence, violates any provision of this Act, fails to perform his/her functions under this Act and/or violates the rights of the members, shall be punished with a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5, 000) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50, 000) and permanent disqualification from being elected or appointed as member of the board, officer or employee of the association, without prejudice to being charged before a regular court for violations of the provisions of the Revised Penal Code, Civil Code and other pertinent laws.

If the violation is committed by the association, the members, officers, directors or trustees of the association who have actually participated in, authorized, or ratified the prohibited act shall be held liable.

If the violation is committed by the employees and agents who acted in gross violation of the provisions of this Act, the officers, directors or trustees, or incorporators of the association shall be jointly and severally liable with the offending employees, agents, and the association.”