SPEECH OF THE CREBA NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Central and Northern Luzon Regional Housing Conference
April 23, 2025 – Royce Hotel, Clark Freeport Zone
Theme: “Transformative Real Estate”
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, partners in the real estate sector, distinguished guests, colleagues, and fellow advocates in housing and development.
It is with great pride and optimism that I welcome you to this year’s Central and Northern Luzon Regional Housing Conference, where we gather under the powerful and timely theme: “Transformative Real Estate.” This theme reflects our collective aspiration to shape a real estate industry that not only drives economic growth but also serves as a transformative force in society—uplifting lives, building inclusive communities, and contributing to the national agenda of sustainable development.
CREBA’s Role and Vision
For over five decades now, the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations, Inc. (CREBA) has been at the forefront of the country’s real estate and housing development. We continue to serve as the unified voice of the housing and property sector, driven by a vision of “A Home for Every Filipino.” In the midst of the challenges that confront the real estate industry today, that vision is more relevant—and more urgent—than ever.
Updates on CREBA’s Present Advocacy Initiatives
Let me take this opportunity to update you on some of our major advocacy initiatives currently being pursued by CREBA at the national level:
The Five-Point Housing Agenda
Our long-standing 5-point agenda continues to serve as the blueprint for addressing the country’s massive housing backlog.
These key points include:
- Rational Land Use Allocation to promote access to buildable land through an efficient land use policy and land banking program
- Availability, Affordability and Accessibility of Financing to roll-out a comprehensive national shelter finance program that provides sustainable and affordable housing finance for all income levels
- Housing Regulatory Reforms that will rationalize housing regulations to speed up project development and reduce costs to incentivize socialized and economic housing through tax relief measures while empowering local government units and private developers through capacity-building and public-private partnership
- Use of Information Technology in streamlining the permitting process and application of technological innovations to speed up construction of housing units while engaging in green building strategies; and
- Sustainability and Livability of Human Settlements through a comprehensive, well-planned and holistic approach
Mass Housing Legislation
CREBA continues to push for the enactment of laws that institutionalize long-term housing finance systems and incentives for mass housing while beefing up existing laws such as the Condominium Law, the RESA Law and the Maceda Law. We also actively engage with lawmakers to pass bills supporting Residential Rental Housing, In-City Resettlement, and Long-Term Housing Development Funds.
In partnership with government agencies and development partners, CREBA forwarded concrete policy recommendations to address the 6.5 million housing backlog. These included calls for expanded LGU roles, increased budgetary support for socialized housing and the full launch of an inter-agency housing council to implement the Housing One Stop Processing Centers (HOPCs) under DHSUD all over the country.
Public-Private Partnerships
CREBA actively promotes PPP models for site development, housing finance, and infrastructure support—especially in regions like Central and Northern Luzon, where urbanization is rapidly increasing. We urge both national and local government to harness private sector capacity through more inclusive frameworks.
Call to Action
As we focus on Transformative Real Estate, let us all remember that transformation begins with intent—but it is realized through collaboration and action. We must continue to bridge the gap between shelter and dignity, between policy and implementation, and between public and private efforts.
Let us work together—developers, government agencies, financiers, urban planners, and community leaders—to build not just homes, but futures. Let us transform real estate from a business to a mission—of inclusive growth, nation-building, and social equity.
In closing, I thank you all for your unwavering commitment to this cause. Our thanks and congratulations to this year’s host: CREBA Clark Chapter and all the participating CREBA chapters, to our speakers, sponsors and exhibitors; most importantly, to the Clark Development Corporation headed by President Agnes Devanadera for the strategic partnership.
Let us seize this opportunity to lead, to innovate, and to transform. Because every Filipino deserves not just a house, but a place to call home.
Maraming salamat at mabuhay ang CREBA!