Villar is CREBA lifetime achievement awardee

Senate President Manuel Villar will receive the “Lifetime Achievement Award” of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Associations (CREBA) Inc. on Oct. 25 during its national convention at the Subic Exhibition and Convention Center in Subic Free Port, Zambales.

This was announced by CREBA national president Reghis M. Romero II and convention overall chairman Angel G. Vivas Jr. The award will be “in recognition of his numerous achievements and contributions of outstanding and lasting significance to the Real Estate Industry, as an individual and as a Creban, for which he continues to bring honor, pride and distinction to the name of the Chamber, and for continuously demonstrating a lifetime of commitment for the betterment of the industry.”

Villar, a recognized industry figure and entrepreneur, was elected twice as congressman and became the Speaker of the House of Representatives during the eleventh Congress. Elected senator in 2001, he was later chosen by colleagues to serve as Senate President.

The first ever CREBA award for an industry leader will be presented to Villar during the convention’s gala night program to be emceed by former CREBA national presidents Charlie V. Gorayeb and Ms. Purita R. Soliven.

Vice President Noli “Kabayan” de Castro will be the guest of honor and speaker on the convention’s first day. He chairs the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) which oversees the country’s housing development. After De Castro’s speech, CREBA officers will sign a memorandum of agreement with the League of Municipalities.

The convention coincides with its 35th foundation anniversary as the country’s largest industry organization. Composed of real estate companies, developers, professionals and allied sectors, it has chapters nationwide and affiliates in the United States, Europe and Southeast Asian countries. It is a member of the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) based in Paris, France. FIABCI, which has 64 country-members, is the official consultative body of the United Nations on real estate matters.

The convention will feature a forum on “Balancing Land Use for Food, Shelter and Environment” with panelists Marriz B. Agbon, president, Philippine Agricultural Development and Commercial Corporation; Sixto Tolentino, regional director, Environmental Management Bureau, and a housing forum on “Funding for Housing Development Projects” with panelists Eduardo T. Manicio, executive vice-president, Social Housing Financing Corporation; Ms. Cecilia C. Borromeo, second vice-president, Institutional Banking and Subsidies Sector, Land Bank of the Philippines; Reynaldo David, president, Development Bank of the Philippines; and Atty. Romero F.S. Quimbo, president-chief executive officer, Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund).

Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, chairman of the Senate committee on housing and urban development, and Architect Stephen Sy Lau, Department of Architecture, Hong Kong, will speak on “Green Technology — An Asian Perspective.” The panelists are Ms. Maria Margarita Moran-Floirendo, co-chair, Habitat for Humanity and Rene D. Almendras, Business Group Director, Manila Water Company. Architect Felino “Jun” Palafox, chairman, Palafox Associates will be the reactor.