Wednesday, November 05, 2008 HLURB confirms pre-selling by subdivision developer
AN OFFICIAL of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) confirmed Tuesday that developer Crown Communities has indeed engaged in pre-selling activities.
HLURB Officer-in-Charge Miguel Palma Gil said that based on their monitoring, Crown did some pre-selling activities in one of the city's big malls.
"There is prima facie evidence of pre-selling. I was approached by an agent who offered a lot to me," Palma Gil said during Tuesday's regular session.
Questioned by Councilor Angela Librado-Trinidad on whether or not there is a difference between the issuance of an 'intent to sell' and 'pre-selling', Palma Gil replied to the negative.
Crown Communities General Manager Myra Lynn Gilig said two weeks ago that they are not engaged in pre-selling activities but are only giving out an 'intent to sell' so that prospective clients can make reservations.
"The law does not distinguish either. As long as there is no license to sell, there is a violation. Even if they have been issued a PALC or a development permit, basta walang license to sell, violation pa rin," he said.
Palma Gil added that Crown Communities has replied to the notice of violation that they issued and it is being determined whether or not the explanation is enough and if Crown will be made to pay the fine of P10, 000 per lot sold.
Gilig, on the other hand, said if HLURB decides to fine them, they will just have to pay.
Ma-a residents, however, said this is but a pittance and challenged the City Council to make the developers more responsible and accountable for their actions by making it more expensive to violate the law than to comply. (GLP)
