Convention seeks collaboration on housing with stakeholders
The housing industry serves as a critical driver of Philippine economic growth and social development. But to maximize its impact, the largest and leading organization of housing developers believed there should be sustained collaboration and cooperation among stakeholders.
“This is the essence of our upcoming national convention that carries the theme ‘The Many Faces of Housing—‘Enhancing Lives,’” said Rodel Racadio, national president of the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA).
The SHDA national convention will happen from Sept. 22 to 23 at Iloilo Convention Center (Hall B), Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
“The need for all critical stakeholders in housing industry to work in partnership with government to deliver affordable and decent housing to Filipinos is of paramount importance,” Racadio said.
Welcome remarks
To welcome the delegates of the national convention will be the mayor of host city, Jed Patrick Mabilog as well as Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr.
On the opening day of the national convention, among the speakers and their topics are Emilio Neri, chief economist of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, “Economic Prospects: Indicators and Trends”; Dr. Winston Conrad Padojinog, president of the University of Asia and the Pacific, “The Economic Contribution of the Housing Industry”; and Rosabel Guerrero, director of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Department of Economic Statistics, “Real Estate Price Tracking.”
“After the morning talks, the keynote speech will be delivered by our guest, House deputy speaker and Marikina Rep. Federico Romero Quimbo,” shared SHDA chair Armenia Ballesteros, who will introduce the keynote speaker.
Afternoon talks
The speakers and their topics in the afternoon include architect Maria Benita Regala, National Housing Authority representative to the Accreditation of Indigenous Technologies for Housing (AITECH), “New Technologies to Spur Production of Affordable Housing”; Januario Jesus Gregorio Atencio III, president and CEO of 8990 Housing Development Corp., “Innovative Ways of Growing the Business”; Norberto Nuñal, chief of Regional Training Center-Iloilo, “Building up the Skilled Construction Workforce”; Julius Guevara, director of Colliers Philippines, “Understanding and Capturing the Housing Needs of the business process outsourcing (BPO)”; Undersecretary Maia Chiara Halmen Reina Valdez of the Office of the President’s Cabinet Assistance System, “Attending to Poverty Alleviation”; Divina Chingcuanco, Chief of Party of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability (B-LEADERS) project, “Sustainable Development Through Green Initiatives”; and Ma. Elena Horn, consultant of SM Cares, “Corporate social responsibility (CSR): Partners in Community Empowerment.”
The second day of the national convention will begin with a talk on “Managing Change in a Dynamic Environment” by Francis Kong.
Right after the delivery of the president’s report by Racadio, Vice President Ma. Leonor Robredo, who also chairs the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, will deliver her message to the delegates.
Partnering
Afterward, in the segment Partnering with government agencies, invited speakers and their topics are Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, “National Infrastructure Plan”; lawyer Angel Ojastro III, secretary general of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, “National Shelter Program”; Acmad Rizaldy Moti, deputy CEO of the Home Development Mutual Fund, “Available and Accessible Financing for Housing”; Gov. Lucita Reyes of the Board of Investments, “Industry Development Plan”; and lawyer Antonio Bernardo, CEO and Commissioner of HLURB, “The Regulatory Framework for Real Estate Development.”
In the segment Legislative priorities to housing sector, among the invited guests are House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez; Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, chair of the Senate committee on urban and housing resettlement; and Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez, who chairs the House committee on housing and urban development.
Concluding the two-day event will be the “Adoption of the convention resolution by the body” that will be led by Racadio and SHDA first VP and convention chair Fely Ramos. The said convention resolution will then be presented to Ojastro.
