HUDCC, CREBA confab showcases model cities

Marikina and Puerto Princesa cities will be presented, along with other Asian urban centers, as striving models of sustainable urban development during the 2003 joint national convention of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Associations (CREBA) and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) at the Mimosa Leisure Estate, Clark Field on Oct. 2-4.

With the theme "Sustainable Urban Development: A Key Towards A Strong Republic", the convention will focus on the key issues of housing and sustainble urban development according to CREBA national president Florentino S. Dulalia Jr. and overall convention chairman Pedro C. Tario. HUDCC vice-chairman Amado S. Bagatsing and Purita R. Soliven, CREBA executive vice-president, are overall convention co-chairpersons.

Dr. Nathaniel Von Einsiedel, president of the Urban Partnerships Foundation and former regional coordinator for Asia Pacific & United Nations Urban Management Program based in Bangkok, Thailand, will discuss "Building Sustainable Cities of the Future: A Challenge to Local Governments." Einsiedel is a former CREBA national president.

Foreign and local models of sustainable urban development will be presented by Dr. Bill Barron, associate professor, Centre for Urban Planning and Environmental Management of Hongkong; Dr. Belinda Yuen, Department of Real Estate, National University of Singapore; Tan Chen Meng, SVP, IFCA MSC Berhad, Malaysia; Marikina City Mayor Ma. Lourdes C. Fernando, and Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Bagatsing will be moderator for this session.

The convention coincides with the 30th anniversary of CREBA as the largest and oldest industry organization. It was formed by a small group of developers and real estate professionals led by lawyer-businessman Manuel M. Serrano to buttress efforts to make housing and urban development a major pump-primer of the national economy. CREBA has been serving as an active industry industry advocacy group with an eye on public welfare and overall national development.

During the second plenary session, HUDCC Chairman Michael T. Defensor will talk on "Urban Development and Housing Framework", Bagatsing on Private Sector Housing Delivery and Regulatory and Shelter Finance Reforms", Sen. Francis Pangilinan Jr. and Rep. Prospero C. Norgrales, respectively, chairmen of the Senate and House housing committees, updates on Congress housing agenda.

Philippine Veterans Bank president Ricardo A. Balbido Jr. and Philippine National Bank president Lorenzo V. Tan, "New Government Financing Institutions’ Funds and Strategies for LGU-initiated Housing and Local Development Projects", Pag-IBIG Fund president Romero E. S. Quimbo, "New Pag-IBIG Fund Financing for Low-Cost Medium and High Rise Buildings", National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. president Angelico T. Salud, NHMFC Mortgage Programs; and Home Guaranty Corp. president Gonzalo B.A. Bongolan, Recent Developments in the Guaranty Program.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose D. Lina will talk on "Value of Sustainable Urban Development to Local Government Units"; Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board Commissioner-CEO Romulo Q. Fabul, regulatory aspects of sustainable urban develoopment; Nation