The document discusses the partnership between the Chamber of Real Estate & Builders' Associations (CREBA) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to make Philippine real estate professionals more competitive globally. CREBA will serve as the exclusive partner of NAR in the Philippines. This partnership will provide over 350 Philippine real estate practitioners with access to NAR resources and the ability to use the REALTOR trademark. The partnership aims to promote high ethical standards for real estate professionals in the Philippines and allow them to embrace global opportunities.

1. CREBA Speaks
By: Charlie A. V. Gorayeb
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July 28, 2011 - Thursday
BUSINESS WITHOUT BORDERS
Global real estate has come of age. Solutions to market concerns have become
widely accessible through global networks that work swiftly across vast oceans. Philippine
real estate industry players recognize the vital importance of investment information,
communication and linkages in bringing solutions that work both locally and
internationally. Our global endeavours for the country’s real estate industry take a
monumental turn with the strong presence of the National Association of REALTORS®
(NAR) in the Philippines. Real estate professionals need a trusted global ally – which
NAR embodies – to reinforce our steps in conducting our business in a world without
borders.
In November 2010, I had the pleasure of meeting NAR President for 2011
Ronald Phipps during the Annual REALTORS® Convention and Expo in New Orleans,
where the idea of being official organization partner was first offered to CREBA. Having
been in my eight-year hiatus within semi-retirement, I had to honestly and humbly
decline, unsure about whether or not the incumbent CREBA leadership would be willing
to accept, or at the very least interested. As the country’s largest umbrella organization of
stakeholders from the allied industries of housing, construction, and real estate
development, I was even in doubt CREBA was the right partner given NAR’s
membership nature and dominant composition.
As NAR enters a new age after a century in existence, however, it redefined its
position to include all kinds of professionals engaged in all aspects of the real estate
business and profession. This gradual shift in practice, already prevalent in Brazil, Japan
and other countries, galvanized CREBA’s role as the exclusive steward of the NAR name
and programming, with the unique authority to protect the use of the REALTOR®
trademark and brand name in the Philippines.
In the presence of His Excellency Vice-President and housing czar Jejomar C.
Binay in January 27 of this year, the Chamber of Real Estate & Builders’ Associations,
Inc. (CREBA) entered into a long-term bilateral accord with the NAR - the “voice for
global real estate” representing over 1.3 million members in the United States as well as
in 60 countries across the globe – conferring upon CREBA the distinction as the only
NAR Cooperating Association in the Philippines.
To implement our side of the partnership, CREBA created the CREBA-NAR
Global Real Estate Council led by Evangeline A. Yia as Chairman, Domingo D. de Vera
as Vice-chairman, with Dr. Mary Gaw So, Josephine A. Cortez, Daniel R. dela Cruz,
Avelina P. Acuna and Robert Marie C. Sy as members. Julius G. Topacio serves as Vice-
President for Global Real Estate Alliances.

2. Barely three months after the official launching of the membership campaign last
March 31, International REALTOR® Membership (IRM) and NAR affiliation in the
country rose to more than 350, heralding Philippine membership as the biggest in Asia.
CREBA led a series of oath taking rites in Manila, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro City in the
presence of the NAR President’s Liaison to the Philippines, Asuncion “Shonee” Henry.
NAR-certified IRMs enjoy exclusive use of the distinctive and globally recognized
REALTOR® trademark and logo, access to the largest online real estate library in the
world, a searchable international brokers directory and other tools proven to leverage real
estate professionals in international business, among other membership benefits.
The CREBA-NAR alliance was timely as the local property sector enjoys its most
dynamic cycle in recent history. Property stakeholders therefore must be committed to
drive the land and housing development as a top catalyst for economic and social
progress. In the light of government’s commitment to a technically-competent,
responsible and respected corps of licensed real estate brokers, appraisers, consultants
and salespersons through R. A. 9646 or the Real Estate Service Act of 2009, the NAR-
CREBA cooperation exists to promote strict adherence to a Code of Ethics that will
uplift the standards of practitioners in the Philippines and make them globally
competitive and at par with their counterparts in the international real estate community.
Real estate practitioners play a vital role in the social, political, economic
development and progress of their respective countries. The NAR-CREBA pact strongly
conveys absolute and esteemed commitment to make Philippine practitioners globally
competitive in the international real estate community.
NAR views land as a most vital resource. Its “wise utilization and widely allocated
ownership will determine the survival and growth of free institutions and of
civilizations.” REALTORS® affirm therefore that the interests of a nation and its
citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land
ownership.
NAR allows property professionals to embrace a global outlook in the practice of
their profession or area of expertise which is crucial to succeed amidst a rapidly
increasing competitive market. This network serves as a source of intelligence and
information-gathering exercise which enables us to tap into the wealth of experiences and
knowledge of our colleagues worldwide. The NAR links Filipino practitioners to a world
of information, contacts and new opportunities that would unleash bigger and brighter
things for the Philippine real estate industry in the long run.
Peaceful and prosperous times or otherwise, real estate activities always provide a
safe enclave for investments. If we are to keep and raise investors’ confidence, we must
finally get through the walls that divide the sub-sectors of the industry, bury the past and
look forward to a future for Philippine real estate that is brimming with potential, speak
and act promptly – but in unison. The NAR concept of alliance and partnership makes all
of us live in anticipation that the local industry can move beyond its boundaries and carve
a niche in the global community.
Email us at creba_national@yahoo.com. #