NREA, HUDCC confab set for Sept

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has authorized chief executives of local government units (LGUs) to send on official time their officers to the 18th National Convention of the National Real Estate Association (NREA) on September 19-20, 2013 to be held  at Makati Sports Club, L.P. Legaspi St., Salcedo Village, Makati City.

Roxas issued DILG Memorandum Circular 2013 - 080, series of 2013, dated Aug. 15, 2013, to encourage the attendance of LGU executives and officers to the convention which is jointly to be conducted with  the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

Authorized to attend are local officers  engaged in: Local land use planning; approval of housing subdivision projects; or in assessment of property valuation and titling.

As per the circular, the payment of registration fees per participant is also allowed, including travelling expenses and accommodation costs which are chargeable to local funds subject to availability thereof.

The circular was addressed for implementation to all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, the ARMM regional governor, and the DILG  regional directors.

NREA president Benigno T. Cabrieto Jr., hailed the support given by Sec. Roxas, saying that two-day convention would provide local executives a comprehensive overview and update on current trends and issues on  housing, a basic service LGUs are also mandated to deliver pursuant to the Local Government Code.

Tailored to the housing information needs of LGUs, the convention topics and discussions on best practices are focused on the theme: ‘A Home for Every ‘Juan’:  A Thrust of Local Governance and Private Partnership.’

NREA Trustee Rodolfo Leonen, education and exhibits chairman, announced that the symposium topics and their speakers are: 1) Sept. 2, 1 p.m. –  ‘Wealth Management – Real Estate As an Investment,’ by Rick M. Santos, chairman, founder and managing partner of CB Richard Ellis; ‘How to Acquire Home Loan/Payment Scheme, Etc.,’ by Darlene Marie B. Berberabe, president and CEO, Pag-IBIG Fund;

‘Property Valuation and Housing Corporate Social Responsibility,’ by Robert N. Rivera, director for residential business of Ayala Property Management Corp.;  ‘Latest Trends and Strategy on Marketing Real Estate,’ by Jesse Francis N. Rebustillo, head Classified Ads, Philippine Daily Inquirer.

On Sept. 3, 1 p.m., ‘The Role of Marketing in the Real Estate Industry,’  by Amor Maclang, director for communications, GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc.; ‘Latest Architectural Design/Home Design,’ by Dean Gloria B. Teodoro, Mapua Dean of Architecture; â€˜Marketing Properties to OFWs,’ by Bansan C. Choa, chairman, Surewell Equities Inc.; and ‘Climate Change Adaptation for Sustainable  Development,’ by Angela Consuelo S. Ibay, WWF  program head, climate change and energy program.

For further information and confirmation of participation, LGU officers may contact NREA National Secretariat at tel. (02) 913-4463; telefax (02) 912-3492 or via e-mail: [email protected]