AFTER being in Davao City in the past 13 years, Maria Luisa Abaya, marketing manager for Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation (TLDC), saw it fitting to finally give back to the city that served as her second home.
"I wanted to see how I can help the community and the city with what I know. Creba (Chamber of Real Estate and Builders' Associations, Inc.) is the best avenue and platform for me to be able to give back to Davao City," said Abaya, who was elected as Creba-Davao president for 2018.
She said the organization have been asking her to run for president but she was hesitant due to the demands of the position.
"But I felt that my being in Davao for the past 13 years, it is a time to give back," Abaya said.
Environmental sustainability, education, and highlighting members' projects are just among the things that Abaya is pushing forward as president of the organization.
She said one of the activities they conducted for the environment is a tree planting activity. However, this is not simply planting trees.
"We have to make sure that our environmental projects are sustainable. For the tree planting activity, we have to ensure that the trees we planted grew," Abaya said.
As for education, she said the organization ensures that for monthly general membership meeting (GMM) they have a topic that concerns the members that will be discussed.
For example, they have had topics focusing on the Train Law or those concerning HLURB.
"As much as possible we educate the members and give them what they need to know," she said.
On the real estate side, Abaya said they want to allow each member to be able to showcase their projects.
She said Creba also seeks to uplift the community wherever it is in. For example, they hope to do their part in the rehabilitation of Marawi City in collaboration with Creba-National.
For 2018, Abaya said they would also like Creba to be known as an association also for the builders, which includes architects and engineers, among others.
"There are architects and engineers that can join us to help the association grow," she said.
Meanwhile, Abaya said being Creba president and leading an association with over 50 members is not a walk in the park.
She said time management is crucial as she balances her time being the marketing manager of TLDC, Creba president, and as a mother and wife.
"I'm lucky that my children are all grown up now" Abaya said, adding that she is able to maximize her time nowadays to be able to meet her responsibilities at work and in the organization.
"After core work, I do Creba work. Time management is really important," she said.