Creba backs land use bill for national development
THE country’s largest organization of key real estate industry players supports the passage of the proposed National Land Use Act (NLUA) in Congress.
This bill is supported by the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations Inc. (Creba) and will set four major land categories: protection, production, settlements, and infrastructure.
“A national land use plan has long been needed by this country. If done correctly, it shall be a key policy reference for all local comprehensive land use and development plans in all sectors, including commercial, industrial, housing, and real estate,” said Creba National President Charlie Gorayeb.
The bill is the 3rd in CREBA’s 5-point agenda for housing, which will be discussed at its 26th national convention on. October 25-28 this year at SMX Davao City. Gorayeb said the NLUA bill should adapt to current laws that had already been used by the business community for important investment decisions.
According to national chairman Noel Toti Cariño, “the NLUA must also resolve the uncertainty as to where and what exactly is the extent of the ‘protected lands’ that are banned from conversion.”
Citing an in-depth study conducted by Creba itself, Gorayeb debunked misconception that the real estate sector is the “culprit” for food shortage resulting from supposed “indiscriminate” conversion of lands.
The study showed the agri lands
Creba National President Charlie Gorayeb account for some 12.5 million hectares or 42.72 percent of the country’s total hectarage of 29.5 million. Yet, the built-up or developed areas amounted to only 741,353 hectares or 2.52 percent of the total. “The study indicates that lands built up or developed for non-agricultural
National Chairman Noel Toti Cariño uses—from time immemorial up to Year 2010—have hardly made a dent in the country’s total agricultural hectare age despite all government and private infrastructure nationwide. “Instead, agri land area even expanded by 5.4 percent from 2003 to 2010,” Gorayeb said.