Group to lobby PRC, DHSUD to streamline regulations for real estate salespersons
THE Accredited Real Estate Salespersons in the Philippines (ACRES) is set to submit a position paper to two government agencies urging them to come up with simple and easy regulations and requirements to help more Filipinos take advantage of the robust opportunities in real estate service.
ACRES interim national president Chris Malazarte said the group will submit a position paper to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to appeal for reforms in providing licenses and other regulatory processes that could promote speedy approval and fast releasing of registrations and accreditations.
ACRES, a group of over 700 real estate salespersons across the Philippines, claimed that with the current system, their profession is “overly regulated” with overlapping requirements from the DHSUD and PRC.
While the real estate industry has hierarchy of positions practicing in various expertise, Malazarte said salespersons despite their significant contribution are often overlooked.
He said the newly formed organization is set to craft advocacies to support the practitioners, as well as encourage entrepreneurship through this profession.
Policies, bills
Moreover, ACRES also expressed its willingness to work
with lawmakers in crafting and updating some of the country’s real estate policies to maximize the industry’s full potential.
It specifically urges lawmakers to look into updating the 13-year-old Real Estate Service Act (Resa) of 2009, or Resa Law.
The Resa Law recognizes the vital role of real estate service practitioners in the social, political, economic development and progress of the country by promoting the real estate market, stimulating economic activity and enhancing government income.
“We want to help our lawmakers make Resa Law responsive to the needs of the profession, needs of the developers and the industry as a whole,” said Malazarte.
Malazarte, together with national officers of ACRES, believe there are parts of the Resa Law that are not applicable today, especially with the rapid progress of technology affecting the way of doing business.
The group will also push for the creation of a Real Estate Commission, similar to the Insurance Commission for insurance agents.
Malazarte said the industry must protect the salespersons since they are the life blood of the real estate industry who are bringing in hefty revenues and generating millions of jobs for the country.
Real estate salespersons comprise the biggest number of professionals in the real estate service. Sixty industries are said to benefit from every property they sell.
Moreover, the group will also work with lawmakers to help draft a bill that zeroes in on the standardization of the real estate practice in the Philippines, among other concerns.
Malazarte said they want to get rid of the proliferation of colorum practitioners to protect the stellar growth of the industry and to level the playing field among real estate service practitioners.
ACRES is the country’s first and largest organization of accredited real estate salespersons.
Founded in 2021, it supports the endeavors of salespersons in furthering their learnings, ethical standards, protection of their rights to free and fair practice, upliftment of their well-being and due representation and inclusion on matters of their trade and prosperity.
At present the association has set up nationwide chapters with interim officers in Metro Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Bicol, Sorsogon, Legaspi, Pampanga, Palawan, Tacloban, Ormoc, Bohol, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Kabankalan, Iloilo, Roxas, Aklan, Calbayog, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, Northern Cebu, Southern Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue, Catbalogan, Davao, General Santos, Caraga, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Surigao, Ozamis, Dipolog, Pagadian, Digos, Iligan and Gingoog.