Real estate regulation chief now an IRM

CEBU, Philippines - The Chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service (PRBRES), Hon. Eduardo G. Ong is now an International Realtor Member (IRM).

Chairman Ong recently received his realtor's pin from the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association (Creba) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) making him the country's first and highest government functionary of the real estate board to become an IRM.

NAR director for Global Business Alliance, Jeff Hornberger, and NAR presidential liaison to the Philippines, Shonee Henry pinned Ong in a special rites attended by more than 200 participants held last Monday, October 3, 2011 at the Sacred Heart Center-Cebu. NAR is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois with a global membership base of over 1.2 million and more than 1,400 associations under its umbrella in 60 countries.

Also present during the ceremony were Creba Global Real Estate Alliances vice president, Julius Topacio and, Creba NAR-Global Real Estate Council chairperson, Evangeline Yia both responsible for the effective implementation of CREBA-NAR Bilateral Agreements. CREBA is the recognized as the umbrella organization of various stakeholders of the real estate industry of some 4,000 firms, individuals and associations directly or indirectly involved in land and housing, construction, allied industries, real estate service practitioners and various professional fields of discipline and holds office in its own building at CREBA Center on Don Alejandro Roces Avenue in Quezon City.

Topacio cited the event as "historic" in that "this is our first to have held an event of this kind and of this magnitude with the top officers from the NAR and Creba coming together not only to honor chairman Ong as one of our notable members but to honor the accomplishment of the real estate industry in its drive to professionalize and level up the practice to international standards."

Another milestone that was achieved during the occasion was the choice of holding the event in Cebu which "will greatly help and enable Cebu attain its prominence in the global real estate map" says Anthony Gerard Leuterio, president of the Philippine Allied Chamber of Real Estate Brokers and Licensed Sales Professionals (Philacre, Inc). "We are deeply grateful for the show of confidence given by Creba and NAR leadership to Cebu. This only confirms the weight of Cebu as a significant growth area for property investments." Leuterio adds.

Abundio Gultiano Jr., the head of the steering committee of the event, also added, "Our alliance with Creba-NAR and the support of Chairman Ong, is not only necessary but also augurs well for the continued growth of the real estate profession and the industry as a whole in this part of the country."

ng was also joined by more than 60 new members who were pinned by Hornberger and Henry. Ong likewise emphasized the significance of Creba-NAR being "an effective partner of the agency's efforts to do business globally without borders and enjoy the benefits being an IRM” after having exemplified to be an excellent benchmark in ethical standards, apart from providing the skills and knowledge required of the real estate profession to its members worldwide.