Creba confab to focus on CARP, land, environmental issues

The Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Associations (CREBA) will tackle “Managing Land and Environment for Today’s Communities – Best Practices and Success Stories” during its 2008 national convention at the Subic Exhibit and Convention Center on Oct. 23-25.

Convention chairman Angel G. Vivas Jr., CREBA vice-president for chapter affairs, said the theme reflects current major national concerns, such as the effects of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). He was designated chairman by the CREBA national executive committee and board of directors.   

Vivas said: “We have chosen environment and priorities in land use as hot issue that continue generating controversies in the country, whether it is for food production, alternative fuel sources, and/or housing and new town development. The issues will be expounded in various symposia and interactive workshops.”

Speakers will discuss “best practices” and “success stories” that dwell on model communities to serve as models for convention participants. Presenters and exhibitors will provide testimonials or assistance to participants.

Vivas said the CARP will be “the top managing land issue because of the recent proclamation of a moratorium on land conversion. Urban development is being blamed by some quarters as the cause of the rice shortage. Is it really the cause? Let statistics of land usages show the numbers to prove one or the other. There are so many questions in these issues, like do we really need a national and use plan? Or what are the alternative solutions to the threat of food shortage?”

Another symposium will take up the fund outsourcing for housing development programs, Vivas said, citing the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) programs such as the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) and the Social Finance Housing Corporation (SHFC) funding programs for socialized housing projects.

 Other convention officers are Arsenio M. De Guzman Jr., vice president for external affairs as co-chairman; Teresita C. Millian, deputy chief for finance; Michael O. Uy, deputy chief for ways and means; Demetrio L. Posadas, president of CREBA Social Housing Foundation, deputy chief for business development; Anjo Ledesma, deputy chief for program management and administration; Atty. Albino Paranada, CREBA secretariat, deputy chief for general services; Edith Manansala, chairman, publication and publicity; Rosalinda Basa, chairman, marketing services; Ave P. Acuña, chairman, regional affairs, fellowship, social and sports and membership attendance; Minda Ladores, chairman, pre-convention workshops; CREBA national president Reghis M. Romero II, former CREBA presidents Jaime A. Cura and Florentino S. Dulalia, Jr. and Ms. Techie Bautista as convention advisers. Interested parties may call the CREBA secretariat at (632) 373-2270-75 or fax (632) 373-2271/74.