CREBA sets 27th annual convention in La Union
The Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations, Inc. (CREBA) recently launched its 27th annual national convention in Makati City. Slated from Oct. 17-20 at the Thunderbird Resorts, Poro Point, La Union, the event is the biggest national gathering of stakeholders in the real estate and housing industry.
CREBA is the umbrella organization of real estate developers, professionals, and other entities engaged in development, building and construction, technical consultancy, marketing, supplies and other related services. With its advocacy programs and initiatives for the past 43 years, it has become government’s strongest ally in pursuing a rational shelter program.
The annual convention held every October, declared by government as “National Housing Month,” fosters fellowship and networking among members, generates business interaction among CREBAns and their business counterparts, and discusses workable measures to address various housing concerns.
According to Charlie A. V. Gorayeb, national chairman, this year’s theme, “A Home for Every Filipino: Building Homes, Building Communities, Building Lives” embodies the aspirations of CREBA’s Five-point Agenda for Housing, a package of policy and legislative reform proposals aimed at raising housing production to the level of 500,000 units per year over a timeline of 20 years.
Gorayeb underscored that three major issues that must be addressed to curb the country’s at least 5.7 million housing backlog: finance, land and governance.
The Five-Point Agenda covers: (1) longterm and affordable funds for socialized and economic housing; (2) affordable homes in urban areas; (3) equitable allocation of lands for human settlements, agriculture and the environment; (4) efficient housing regulations; and (5) the creation of a housing and urban development department to provide housing concerns the attention it deserves at the highest level of government.
National president Noel Toti M. Cariño said that the Chamber remains vigilant in its dream to see the dawning of the age of shelter security for all Filipinos. Its initiatives and advocacies have been consistently focused not just on the interest of its members, but also on enabling the millions of homeless families to acquire decent, affordable homes.
Atty. Antonio M. Bernardo, chairman of the organizing committee, promises that while the annual event has always been known for its unprecedented initiatives in support of national housing and development goals, it also beams with excellent opportunities in the framework of private sector and government cooperation.