A potent force for change

“ALWAYS bear in mind that you have committed to live within the highest standards of professionalism to manage the chapter properly as a good head of the family and to make it a conservatory of technical, responsible, reputable and competent Filipino Real Estate Service Practitioners to serve and not to be served as a precept of the ‘Golden Rule’,” this was the gist of the message of PhilRES National Chairperson Pilar Torres Banaag before Baguio realty professionals during the formal investiture of the Philippine Institute of Real Estate Service Practitioners (PhilRES) Inc.–Baguio City Chapter at the Baguio Country Club Training Center #1 last August 11, 2012.

Recognizing the PhilRES local chapter as a potent force in effecting a meaningful change in real estate, Chair Banaag exhorted the group to abide by the high tenets of professional conduct and practice and lead by example in the exercise of their profession. The attendees represented the newly recognized PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) licensed real estate service practitioners and initial group of charter and founding members of the PhilRES local chapter.

The Philippine Institute of Real Estate Service Practitioners (PhilRES) Inc. is the duly recognized Accredited and Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) of the real estate industry. The organization and recognition of the AIPO is by virtue of the provision mandated by the Real Estate Service Act (Resa – Republic Act No. 9646), which states: “All real estate service associations shall be integrated into one (1) national organization, which shall be recognized by the Board (PRB-RES), subject to the approval of the Commission (PRC), as the only accredited and integrated professional organization of real estate service practitioners. . . . A real estate service practitioner duly registered with the Board shall automatically become a member of the AIPO of real estate service practitioners. (Article IV, Section 34)

With the mandate of organizing a real estate industry AIPO, the Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service (PRB-RES) issued Resolution No. 19 Series of 2011 giving PhilRES the recognition as the accredited and integrated professional organization. The resolution was approved by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on October 21, 2011. In part the resolution reads, “the Board, as it is hereby resolved, to grant, subject to the approval by the Commission, the PHILIPPINE INSITUTE OF REAL ESTATE SERVICE PRACTITIONERS INC.’s (PHILRES) petition for recognition and accreditation as the one (1) and only Accredited and Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) of Registered and Licensed Real Estate Service Practitioners; and accordingly, to issue a Certificate of Accreditation signed by the Chairman and Members of the Board and the Chairman of the Commission upon payment of the prescribed fee therefore.” PhilRES Baguio is the eight chapter organized and recognized nationwide by the National Directorate of the organization.

Aside from Chairperson Banaag, also present during the occasion is National Vice Chairman Enrico Melchor G. Sevilla representing PhilRES National Office who handed over the Certificate of Recognition to the local chapter. At the same time, Chair Pilar Banaag inducted the interim officers of PhilRES Baguio headed by Caesar Augusto G. Tagle, President. Other officers inducted were: Feliza M. Ronquillo, Executive Vice President; Crizel Dino, Secretary; Teresita A. Chu, Treasurer; Lorenza G. Haber, Auditor; Enrico Melchor G. Sevilla, Vice President for Consultants; Ryan C. Tablac, Vice President for Appraisers; Rose Ann R. Tabora, Vice President for Brokers; Ricky P. Tactay, Vice President for Government Appraisers; Angelina G. Rimando, Vice President for Government Assessors and Maria Almaya P. Addawe, Noel B. de Leon, Ramon P. Magallanes, Gina Chan Magcalas, Edwin M. Zamora, Trustees.

Presiding the investiture in behalf of the local chapter is Ephraem A. Calderon, North Luzon PhilRES Coordinator and Chairman of the Membership Committee. Other charter and founding members, aside from Mr. Calderon and the Baguio PhilRES Officers and Trustees are: Maria Almaya C. Addawe, Jocelyn I. Alzona, Ricardo A. Bayao, Roberto A. Capili, Gaspar A. Cayat, Mayrasol J. Caissie, Nellie P. Cayda, Xandra Mae T. Cosalan, Aurelio C. de la Pena, Atty. Saturnino S. Diaron Jr., Maridel R. Estoque, Leticia A. Fabie, Jerome M. Floresca, Jocelyn S. Gaco, Martell John F. Garcia, Victor Joy D. Lagria, Elizabeth G. Lagos, Ma. Vilma T. Lerpido, Catherine V. Lee, Lilibeth M. Macaso, Felimon L. Marcelino Jr., Ruth G. Medrano, Elisa O. Namoca, Francis F. Rillera, Leila B. Sotelo, Janette M. Torrado and Maria Jesusa Villanueva.

The formal investiture started with the procession of PhilRES National Officers, Chapter Officers and Members. The prayer was led by Lorenza Haber and the singing of the National Anthem was conducted by Gina C. Magcalas. Interim President Toti Tagle welcomed the guests and participants, while the investiture ceremony proper was presided by Chair Pilar Banaag and Vice Chair Rico Sevilla. The wine toasting ceremony was done by Trustee Edwin Zamora and the closing remarks by Chapter VP Rico Sevilla. The program was followed by a dinner, fellowship and an open forum. Emcees were Rose Ann Tabora and Robert Capili.

Initial plans of the PhilRES Baguio Chapter include massive public information campaign on the new real estate law, coordination with duly constituted government authorities involved with the real estate practice in the implementation of the real estate law, supporting the introduction of a four-year real estate course in college, assisting and encouraging non-licensed real estate agents to be accredited with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to legitimize their practice.