CSHFI, gov’t join hands to push social housing

The CREBA Social Housing Foundation Inc. (CSHFI), the social action arm of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Associations (CREBA), will actively join hands with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) in pushing hard the government’s socialized housing program for the country’s homeless families.

The CSHFI, DILG and HUDCC will hold a local government private sector housing conference on the theme "Affordable Housing for Local Governments" at the Philippine International Convention Center Forum in Pasay City on July 28-31.

In cooperation with the Habitat for Humanity, Gawad Kalinga, National Commission for Urban Poor, and HUDCC, the foundation will also hold the first CREBA Socialized Housing Expo called "Building Homes for the Filipinos" during the three-day conference at the PICC.

This was announced by CSHFI President Efren "Choy" L. Alas after the induction of the 2004 officers and board of trustees at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City last week. The CHSFI was formed by CREBA in 1992 as a non-stock, non-profit organization aimed at enabling the private sector to more actively participate in social housing delivery in support of the government’s shelter program for the people.

A powerpoint presentation of CSHFI’s mission and vision and technologies before the induction program was viewed by CREBA chairman-founder Manuel M. Serrano, national president Purita R. Soliven, and officials of foreign embassies, including Minister-Counsellor Sandy Sampson, Nigerian embassy; Trade Commissioner In-Taeg Lim, Korean embassy; Economic-Commercial Counsellor Yves Cadillion, French embassy; Trade-Economic Counsellor Antoni Skoumal, Czech embassy; and Commercial Counsellor Natchaya Panganarasut, Royal thai embassy; and Atty. Allan Yap, DILG chief of staff, representing Secretary Joey Lina.

As a fund-raising effort for its social action projects, the CSHFI will sponsor the first social housing Pabahay Invitational Golf Tournament at the Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club in the first week of October.

Rep. Eduardo C. Zialcita (Parañaque City) swore into office Alas, board chairperson Rosemarie C. Basa, the other officers and board of trustees.

The other foundation officers and trustees are Pedro C. Tario, chairman emeritus; Sammy G. Valencia, executive vice-president; Jerry M. Navarrete, VP-finance; Florante C. Ofrecio, VP-internal affairs; Francisco G. Flameño Jr., VP-external affairs; Robert Marie C. Sy, secretary and board trustee; Teresita C. Millan, treasurer and board trustee; Francisco J. Buencamino, Jaime A. Cura, Renato P. Dragon, Lina B. Maceda, Manuel H. Torres, Delfin J. Wenceslao Jr., and Eugene C. Yu, trustees; Demetrio L. Posadas, immediate past president; Porthos P. Almajose and Techie P. Bautista, presidential advisers; Jeanne G. Menguito, auditor; Catherine D. Yulo, executive director; and Lorna Verano Yap and Roger M. Garcia Jr., press relations officers.

CSHFI said its mission is to facilitate, as socially conscious developers, the delivery of socialized housing projects and establish linkages with various government agencies, conduct studies and publish the results of researchers undertaken.