The CEO is a woman

It’s a woman again for Pag-IBIG Fund and this time Atty. Darlene Marie B. Berberabe is the new Chief Executive Officer who hails from Batangas City vice Jaime A. Fabiana of Davao City. The first woman head was Zorayda Alonzo, the CEO who, during her time, checks on us if time warrants, while Joe was assigned in Cotabato to open the Branch Office there in the late 80s. Like a Mom, CEO Alonzo by then was concern of the family with Kim at 3 and I was preggy with Joe3 and Joe’s sick father (bed-ridden) left under my care at home. The transfer of work assignment was untimely “sana” with the family situation that time. But after about four years in the wartorn Cotabato the CEO surprised me on my birthday with his transfer to Davao City. The four long years were hard but the transfer was indeed a great relief. I will never forget Mrs. Alonzo in my life time and with a woman again i could only anticipate no less but the good and the best for the workers of Pag-BIG Fund and the members of the Fund … kasali ako dyan sa members. The men (leaders) were exceptionally good but there is something in women perhaps (because of the hand that rocks the cradle). I am not being biased, with this writer being a woman too.

I’ve heard of the new CEO from my hubby and his first meeting with her upclose was when he defended at the SM (senior management) a project for southern Mindanao. The meeting was good and the discussion was comprehensive, he said. The more that he was impressed during the corporate officers meeting where she stressed about strict adherence to government rules and policies and to stick to what is right. I am also impressed with this.

I’ve read about her in the papers and online and here are some interesting information (that were earlier reported) for a law professor appointed as PAGIBIG chief.

Atty. Darlene Berberabe is a professorial lecturer in the College of Law, UP Diliman.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude and valedictorian from UP in 1989. She graduated salutatorian from the College of Law in 1999. She is an associate lawyer in Quisumbing Torres (Baker & Mckenzie) Law Office and was a professor in the Department of Philosophy, UP Diliman. In the College of Law, she is a professorial lecturer who teaches Legal Theory. Her MA thesis in 1995 was on the Divine Command Theory. She wrote “Retail Trade Liberalization” which was published in the Asia Pacific Legal Bulletin in 2000. She is described as a labor law specialist.

Prior to her appointment as Pag-IBIG chief, Berberabe was the head of the Corporate Legal Department of multinational company Procter & Gamble (P&G) Distributing (Phils.), Inc. She joined P&G in 2004. Before that she was a Labor Associate at the Quisumbing Torres (Baker & McKenzie International) Law Office from 2000 to 2004. An academician, Berberabe was also a Professor of Philosophy for 10 years at UP Diliman, the first female Philosophy Professor; and Professorial Lecturer of Labor Law, Legal Method and Legal Theory at the UP College of Law from 2002 to 2008.

The above data is so rich and tough but I think she’s one good person by heart. She even asked Joe about us and the children and when she was in Davao City, December 15 to lead the loyalty service awarding of employees from Southern Mindanao, Northern Mindanao and the Visayas Group she took time for foto opportunities not once but many times with the employees which she readily obliged herself.

I know there are more good things to come to HDMF (with credit of course to the former bosses), the office is my husband’s bread and butter even as we are equally proud to be part of that one big family now stronger at 30.

I am looking forward to my first interview with the woman who is the boss of my husband together with my Davao business reporters friends.

Photo courtesy of Eric Morales.

RP’s real estate brokers beef up info campaign on RESA Law

DAVAO CITY — The Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines (REBAP) Davao chapter has beefed up its campaign on the Republic Act 9646 or the Real Estate Services Act (RESA) of the Philippines to guide both the public and the brokers better understanding of the amendments of the law. REBAP Davao chapter vice president Winstone V. Pulido said they welcome the law as it will continually professional their sector.

He said with the number of unlicensed brokers operating in the island, RBAP do not have way to monitor the activities of some of these sellers.

The new law is beneficial to the buying public of transacting as they will be shielded from transacting to unregistered brokers that led overpricing of the property and engage in unethical practices.

He said the government has been taking serious steps to provide protection for property buyers and they see this as a good step for them to be encouraged to invest more in Philippine real estate.

The law states that a licensed broker is allowed to have under him only 20 sellers but the practice before the approval of the new law was many real estate projects had only one or two registered brokers with 200 to 300 sellers.

He said with RESA, the practice of real estate broker will now be regulated even as he said that a broker before he or she will be allowed to take the real estate brokers examination for licensing need to acquire 24 units under the continuing education program (CEP) and this arrangement will be honored for the 2011 examinations.

By 2012, prospective examinees need to comply 120 units under the CEP, he said.

The legitimate practitioners of brokering as a business are subjected to fees and taxes while a good number of “fly-by-night” brokers that would number to about 2,500 in Davao City alone escape government regulations and payment of taxes and fees, he said.

“And this would some up to millions of losses of government in the form of taxes as most unlicensed brokers charge 5 percent commission,” he said.

The RESA Law is in support to professionalize and regulate the practice of real estate in the country through the development of technically competent, trained and accountable real estate practitioners.

The law defines that real estate broker is a duly registered and licensed natural person who, for a professional fee, commission or other valuable consideration, acts as an agent of a party in a real estate transaction to offer, advertise, solicit, list, promote, mediate, negotiate or effect the meeting of the minds on the sale, purchase, exchange, mortgage, lease or joint venture, or other similar transactions on real estate or any interest therein.

Pulido said the REBAP supports the information dissemination campaign of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to reach out to as many brokers to have themselves get licensed and legalized their profession.

Pulido said although this will be a huge task ahead, the passage of the RESA Law is a good start to professionalize their sector and at the same time protect the interest of the public from unscrupulous agents.

With the real estate industry in Davao City hitting a positive growth, he said, a lot of real estate development is opening up in the city especially that there is a demand for houses here from the neighboring regions wanting to locate here.

Meanwhile, he said brokers who will attend the First Mindanao Real Estate and Housing Conference in Davao City scheduled on Oct. 5 to 6 will earn units and credited under as allowed by PRC. (PNA)
LDV/PDDB/lvp

source : www.pagibigfund.gov.ph

PAG-IBIG LOAN APPLICATION GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

a. If Employed or Self-employed:

* Community Tax Certificate

* Proof of Billing (original)

* T.I.N. (Tax ID Number)

* Latest pay slip of borrower and spouse (original)

* 2 pcs HDMF Premium Contribution Certificate (original)

* Marriage Contract or Birth Certificate (Photocopy)

* W2 BIR form (photocopy)

* 2 pcs Notarized Certificate of Employment with Compensation (original)

* Post dated checks for down payment

* 24 month Pag-ibig contribution for members. For non-members, pay 24 months contribution upon reservation

b. If OCW:

* All of the above plus the following:

* 3 pcs Notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA)

* Income Tax Return and W2 confirmation receipt for the last 2 years immediately preceding date of loan application

* Notarized Employment Contract and Employer’s Certificate of Income duly certified by employer.

Note: All original

BANK LOAN APPLICATION GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

a. If in the Philippines:

* Income Tax Return (latest)

* Certificate of employment with compensation

* Business Permit (if self-employed)

* Community Tax Certificate

* T.I.N. (Tax identification Number)

* Bank Statement (for the last 6 months)

* Marriage Certificate (if married) (Photocopoy)

* Proof of Billing

* Post Dated Checks

Note: All original except marriage certificate, Business Permit, Community Tax Certificate.

b. If Borrower is permanently abroad:

* Federal Income Tax Return (latest)

* Bank Statement (for the last 6 months)

* Special Power of Atty. (SPA) (consul authenticated)

* Certificate of Employment with compensation (consul authenticated)

* Proof of remittance

* Business Permit (if self employed)

* Marriage Certificate (if married)

* Post Dated Checks

Note: All original except marriage certificate

IN-HOUSE FINANCING APPLICATION GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

In-house financing requirements is similar to bank financing.

VP Binay bares his vision and plans as Housing Czar …

www.pna.gov.ph

Manila Aug. 1 (PNA) – Vice President Jejomar Binay said he envisions providing Filipino families with quality homes and communities, not just mere houses and neighborhoods.“My vision for the housing sector is simple –to provide families not just with the infrastructure of a house, but the framework of a home; to build not just a neighborhood, but a real harmonious community,” the country’s housing czar said.

Binay, who was appointed by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as the chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), disclosed his plans before members of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Association (CREBA).

With this, he aims to gain the support and empower the local government units (LGUs), adding that it is important for them to have an active role in the planning and implementation of housing programs.

“They [LGUs] are in the best position to provide the inputs we need in ensuring that our housing programs truly address the housing needs in the locality. They are also in the best position to help us achieve our vision,” Binay said.

The Vice President also plans to develop an investment-friendly business climate for the housing sector, as he targets to solicit support and build strong partnership with the private sector in the implementation of localized housing projects for the poor.

“I will likewise seek to simplify the procedures and reduce red tape in the processing of housing loans, registration and issuance of land titles, and housing permits both at the national and local levels; give incentives to participating private donors; and rationalize the housing finance and subsidy framework for housing and urban development,” he said adding that this was consistent with President Aquino’s promise of a government responsive to the needs of ordinary Filipinos.

Binay said he also intends to strengthen the implementation of the asset reform program involving the utilization of idle and underutilized government lands, and to require the online publication of all projects and loans granted by the key shelter agencies.

“We can and we will succeed in building homes, and not just houses; in providing lasting opportunities, instead of temporary dole-outs; and transforming our seemingly forgotten human resources into productive members of the society,” he added.

Recently, Binay tapped the services of actor Robin Padilla to serve as his housing “ambassador” in Mindanao.

Binay said Padilla’s Muslim background will help the HUDCC address the housing shortage in Muslim communities.

Aside from the HUDCC post, Binay also asked Padilla to help promote membership in the Pag-Ibig Fund, especially among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). (PNA)
LDV/CLTC

Davao City, an area for smoke-free studies of foreign countries

After the successful implementation of anti-smoking in Davao City, the city became the site for study-tour of foreign nationals that are starting to implement the ban of smoking in their countries.

Dr. Domilyn C. Villareiz, co-chair, Anti-Smoking Task Force of Davao City said they had been receiving visitors from other countries in order to observe the implementation of the ban of smoking in the city with their recent visitors from Hanoi, Vietnam and from Thailand.

She said scheduled to visit the city are groups from Malaysia and Indonesia and they are interested in the implementation of the program saying that they have package destination where they bring these foreign nationals to observe.

Mostly, she said are in restaurants, parks, malls and in areas that are often frequented by the public.

Given the success of implementing the Anti-Smoking Ordinance, Villareiz said they get to be invited to lecture or talk to gatherings abroad and in other parts of the country.

Villareiz attributed the success of the implementation to the concerted efforts of both private and government as well as the effective strategies they adopted based on the law provided under Republic Act 9211 and City Ordinance No. 043.

Other cities in the Philippines also has crafted their own laws namely San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Talisayan, Misamis Oriental, Sorsogon City, Umingan, Pangasinan, Amlan, Negros Oriental, Baguio City, Hagonoy, Bulacan, Legaspi, Albay, Malabon, San Carlos City, Tabaco City, Albay.

She said Baguio, San Carlos and San Jose have similar ordinances with Davao City while most of the cities and municipalities anti smoking ordinance followed the definition of Davao on enclosed places. The 17 cities in Metro Manila will be implementing RA 9211.

Villareiz stressed that under RA 9211 are some provisions that involves advertisements and promotions of cigarette products.

She said cigarette is a legal industry product but with prohibitions under the law they have to implement it just in the case of advertisements and promotions they already issued notices to stores displaying signages of their stores with cigarette markings.

“Definitely this is not allowed by law and some 35 stores were given notices to remove the signages,” she said.

Distribution of collateral like parasols and t-shirts are prohibited and for the public to be wearing or using them will also be reminded and when caught the next will be given sanctions and fine, she said.

Contrary to what other quarters noted, she said anti-smoking is not a hindrance to progress and tourism and definitely there is an increase in tourist arrivals in the city.

The other benefit of anti-smoking campaign is that it helps people increase their life span considering that they will be spared of suffering from respiratory illnesses when they do not smoke.

Citing statistics, she said three out of 10 Filipinos smoke or about 34 percent are smokers.

She also said the cases in Davao City posted a drop in the lung cancer mortality and morbidity rate from 113 deaths in 2008. It dropped to 38 in 2009.

Villareiz said the World Health Organization (WHO) sponsored Tobacco and Poverty Study in the Philippines that was completed in 2006 revealed that among the poorest of the poor, 64 percent of their monthly expenditure is spent on food, while tobacco comprised 2.5 percent, bigger than clothing at 2.3 percent, education at 1.4 percent and health 0.9 percent.

The study also revealed that tobacco greatly contributes to poverty since tobacco users are at a high risk of falling ill or die prematurely of cancer, heart attacks, respiratory diseases or other tobacco-related diseases thus depriving families of much needed income and imposing burden on health care costs which are mainly “out-of-pocket” expenses.

Meanwhile, the anti-smoking campaign in Davao City started in 2002 and it already earned two international and one regional awards. One of the international awards was given by the World Health Organization in 2008 for its Anti-Smoking Ordinance.

Also last year, she said Davao City got a regional award from the South East Asia Tobacco Central Alliance for its extensive advocacy on anti-smoking.

The other international award will be given in February 2010 by the Global Smoke-Free Partnership (GSFP) Award for Governmental Body with Exemplary Leadership in Implementing Smoke Free Policies. Other countries that will be recognized together with Davao City are Guatemala, Colombia, Turkey and India but these are on participation of non-government organization. (PNA)
LBV/PDB/lvp

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Church, others hopeful of P-Noy’s campaign vs corruption

also posted @ www.pna.gov.ph
DAVAO CITY — After President Benigno Aquino III formally announced his agenda in governance during his inaugural speech on June 30, the Catholic Church on Sunday took note of the government’s move to curb corruption.

Fr. Gilbert Sataya, during the homily at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bangkal, Davao City, cited the call of Pres. Aquino’s administration to work on addressing the issue on corruption.

He likened the Gospel that “with the huge harvest, few came to do the task” to the call of the President, which he said was a big challenge to the Cabinet members.

While he urged the parishioners to bring the messages to as many people of taking part in the Church evangelizations of spreading the good words, he said everyone should take part in the task in making the Philippines a better country.

In a separate interview, taxi driver Epifanio Amihan said sa pagpaminaw naku sa mga gibatbat sa bagong President bahin sa pang gobiyerno sa iyang inagurasyon, dili naku isalig ning tanan sa iyaha kay maningkamot ko nga makatabang ko pananglitan sa pagsunod sa balaod sa trapiko (after listening to the President’s detailed agenda of his government, I will do my share of helping the government by way of following traffic rules).

“Mouyon ko sa pagpawala sa “wang wang” kay ang datu ug pobre pantay dapat nga mogamit sa karsada (I support the ban of sirens because there shoud be equal road access between the rich and the poor,” he said.

“Bahin sa korupsyon sa gobiyerno, dili ma ni mawala gyud pero kung kitang tanan motabang ilabina nang taga gobiyerno makuhaan gyud ni (with regards corruption, I don’t think this will be eradicated but if all of us will help especially those in government, I think this will be lessened),” he said.

Government worker Roger Martel of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in Davao said that what the President said was a call for government personnel to work harder.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said she was happy to hear the President stressing hard on tackling government corruption and for government workers to show more of their skills and talents as public servants.

President Aquino said not all in government were corrupt and for those who were performing well he said “panahon na nila ngayon na magpakitang gilas (it’s time for them to show their utmost abilities)”.

Duterte-Carpio, as part of her priorities as the new mayor of Davao City, started reviewing the performance of the city government workers and for those who lacks skills will be trained while they will offer retirement packages for those who would want to avail of the package although everyone will be assessed as to their performance.

Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) president Engr. Robert C. Quinto welcomed the President’s directive of transparency in dealing with the business sector.

He said this was a big boosts for the business community and for those prospective investors.

On the other hand, Philippine Constructors Association (PCA), Inc. president Levy Espiritu said he liked the President’s governance and he was firm and bold when he detailed his agenda during his inauguration speech.

Global Link chief executive officer Patrick Lawrence Tan said there was high optimism in the construction industry especially when President Aquino launched a call against corruption.

“The construction industry probably was the worst sector and hearing him said that the stakeholders are happy and with high optimism they are willing to support this government”.

He said this can be seen perhaps after three years but then they are happy to work in an environment where the leader is sincere in pushing for a better Philippines. (PNA)
RMA/Digna D. Banzon/lvp/rsm

Quotes from VP Banzon

“The Fund family must continue extending their services with clients satisfaction. Let us maintain quality service and by serving the clients with smile as well as sustain an accommodating attitude to all clients”.

“We should listen to feedback because this is a tool that will help us improve our services”.

“We should not discard the past when Pag-IBIG Fund was just starting. Its humble beginnings and sacrifices made the Fund what it is today.This should be a guide as we continue to make Pag-IBIG Fund a model of service”.