GMA seeks Creba support in housing program

President Arroyo has sought the continuing support of the private industry represented by the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Associations (CREBA) and four other shelter organizations in pushing the housing program under what she called "a conducive environment" brought about by government’s "crucial policy responses."

The President even urged CREBA to be her bastonero or baton wielder in pushing housing development, particularly in the 200 hectares reported by Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani A. Braganza as available for housing or other urban purposes.

Stressing that housing is No. 1 of her administration’s "eight main paths for the six months to revitalize and invigorate our economy," President Arroyo said, "I need your continuing support through your active building of more housing."

In a videotape message to the joint 2002 national convention of CREBA and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) at the Baguio Country Club in Baguio City last week, the President reported on substantive policy and procedural changes to enable the industry to actively pursue various housing projects.

The three-day convention with the theme "Alliances and Unity: Key to Economic Recovery" was presided by CREBA national president Florentino S. Dulalia Jr. and overall chairman Florento S. Ofrecio and overall co-chairman HUDCC Undersecretary Armando de Castro.

The President said: "Now that the needed elements to invigorate the housing program are in place, I now call on you to speed up housing development to attain our housing target." She vowed to "do housing pump-priming via private sector involvement."

Shortly after Mrs. Arroyo’s message, CREBA and other industry association, the Builders Alliance Towards Action (BATA) for Shelter Foundation, National Real Estate Association (NREA), Organization of Socialized Housing Developers (OSHD), and Women in Shelter and Environment (WISE), signed a formal resolution pledging to deliver an initial 207,000 socialized and economic housing units in support of the housing program in the next few months.

The resolution at the pledging session, drafted a few weeks ago and fully supported by the industry sectors, was received by Secretary Michael T. Defensor, HUDCC chairman, on behalf of the President. It expressed the industry’s all-out support to the private industry-government partnership in pursuing the housing program for the low and middle-income families. The industry players underscored the multiplier impact of housing on scores of related industries, job generation for workers and professionals, and the national economy.

The presentation was made by OSHDA president Willy Tan, BATA president Thaddeus Liamzon, WISE vice president Jeanne Menguinto, NREA chairman Jose P. Manalad, and CREBA national president Dulalia Jr., as a highlight of the three-day convention.

Sen. Manuel V. Villar Jr. speaking before the convention, underscored that the housing industry rightly deserves the policy reforms being instituted to continue its vital role in the housing program. The restrictive policies and processes imposed during the boom period of housing development several years back are making it more difficult for the industry to survive, Villar said.

There is no basic conflict between agrarian reform and the housing program, Villar stressed, since both aim to serve the needs of the people in accordance with the Constitution. He urged industry players to take advantage of the reforms to push the housing program for the people. Villar was former chairman of the Senate committee on agriculture.

During the convention’s dialogue with Cabinet members, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Heherson T. Alvarez vowed to work closely with the private sector to ensure compliance with the President’s Executive Order No. 45 cutting red-tape in processing developers’ applications for permits to help the industry fast-track housing start and delivery.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose D. Lina Jr. vowed to file administrative and criminal charges before the Ombudsman against local government officials violating deadlines imposed on the completion by local government officials of provincial and municipal comprehensive land use plans and physical framework plans. LGUs issue development permits to housing developers.