Real Estate Government Agencies in the Philippines
In dealing with real estate in the Philippines, there are various government agencies which are mandated by law to ensure that the properties for sale are regulated in order to benefit the Filipinos. Most of these agencies were created to attain well-planned and sustainable communities through the regulation of land use, housing development and resolution of disputes.
Here are some of these real estate government agencies:
-
Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB)
The HLURB, as the lead agency in the provision of technical assistance to local government units in the preparation of comprehensive land use plans; regulation of housing, land development and homeowners association; and adjudications of disputes related thereto. They are tasked to promulgate and enforce policies on land use, housing and homeowners associations which promote inclusive growth and economic advancement, social justice and environmental protection for the equitable distribution and enjoyment of development benefits.
The tasks of the HLURB can be categorized in three aspects:
a) Planning: (Executive Order 648; Executive Order 72; Republic Act 7279)
- Formulation of Comprehensive Land Use Planning Guidelines
- Technical assistance to LGU’s in CLUP preparation and to members of Provincial Land Use Committee (PLUC) and Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC) in CLUP review.
- Review and approval of CLUPs for Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs), Independent Component Cities (ICCs), Metro Manila cities and Provincial Physical Framework Plans (PPFPs).
- Install an information system to monitor changes in the actual use of land resources and the implementation of CLUPs by LGUs.
- Update and revise the National Urban Development and Housing Framework.
- Train LGUs in subdivision plan approval and zoning enforcement.
b) Regulation: (Executive Order 648; Executive Order 90; Executive Order 71; Executive Order 72; Presidential Decree 957, 1216, 1344; Batas Pambansa 220; Republic Act 7899; Republic Act 9904; Republic Act 8763 (Sec.26));
- Register and license subdivision and condominium projects, farm lots, memorial parks and columbaria.
- Monitor development and construction of registered/licensed projects.
- Update and revise rules, guidelines and standards on housing and real estate.
- Approve Master Deed and Declaration of Restrictions of condominium project, and any amendment or revocation thereof decided upon by a simple majority of all registered owners (concurrently with City or Municipal Engineer).
- Issue Locational Clearances for projects considered to be of vital and National or Regional Economic or Environmental significance.
- Register and supervise HOAs.
- Register real estate brokers, dealers and salesmen engaged in selling projects under HLURB jurisdiction.
c) Adjudication: (Executive Order 648; Republic Act 9904, 8763 (Sec. 26))
- Disputes between subdivision lot or condominium unit buyer and developer.
- Intra- and Inter-Homeowners associations’ disputes.
- Appeals from decisions of local zoning bodies.
Contact Information
Address: HLURB Bldg., Kalayaan Avenue, cor. Mayaman St., Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
Contact Number: (02) 926-1061
Website: http://hlurb.gov.ph/
-
Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG)
The Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), more popularly known as the Pag-IBIG Fund, was established to provide a national savings program and affordable shelter financing for the Filipino worker. The Fund offers its members short-term loans and access to housing programs. It is mandatory for all SSS- and GSIS-covered employees; uniformed members of the AFP, BFP, BJMP and PNP; as well as Filipinos employed by foreign-based employers.
Contact Information
Address: 2nd Floor, JELP Building, 409 Addition Hills, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City
Contact Number: (02) 7244244
E-mail: publicaffairs@pagibigfund.gov.ph
Website: www.pagibigfund.gov.ph
- Home Guaranty Corporation (HGC)
The HGC facilitates a guaranty line application, under Republic Act No. 8763 which involves the determination of the eligibility of a financial institution for the guaranty and incentives provided under the law. The guaranty line extended to the financial institution by the HGC is a facility whereby the housing-related loans and financial transactions may be enrolled for guaranty coverage. The clients of this government agency include banks, building and loan associations, investment house, trust companies, insurance companies, lending institutions, cooperatives, microfinance entities and housing developers that provide funds for homebuyers and housing developments.
Contact Information
Address: 4/F Jade Building 335 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue Makati City
Contact Number: (02) 8964116; 7525322; 8964122
Website: www.hgc.gov.ph
-
Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC)
The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) is the government agency under the Office of the President created by virtue of Executive Order No. 90, which serves as the oversight, the over-all coordinator, initiator and facilitator of all government policies, plans and programs for the housing sector; sets the overall direction and targets for the sector; and determines strategies, formulates appropriate policies, monitors, and evaluates the programs, projects and performance of the implementing shelter agencies.
The HUDCC has four major key result areas which include the formulation of plans and policies on housing and urban development, development and supervision of innovative strategies and programs for tenure security, urban renewal and other support services, provision of overall administration and supervision of Key Shelter Agencies (KSAs), and provision of technical assistance to the Local Government Units (LGUs) on the delivery of housing services to their constituents.
Contact Information
Address: 9th & 15th Floors Banco De Oro Plaza, Paseo De Roxas, Makati City
Contact Number: (02) 8122284
E-mail: info@hudcc.gov.ph
Website: www.hudcc.gov.ph
-
National Housing Authority (NHA)
Under Presidential Decree 757 dated 31 July 1975. NHA was tasked to develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated housing program which shall embrace, among others, housing development and resettlement, sources and schemes of financing, and delineation of government and private sector participation.
NHA was tasked to develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated housing program which shall embrace, among others, housing development and resettlement, sources and schemes of financing, and delineation of government and private sector participation.
NHA was mandated as the sole national government agency to engage in shelter production focusing on the housing needs of the lowest 30% of the urban population. (Executive Order 90)
NHA was tasked to provide technical and other forms of assistance to local government units (LGUs) in the implementation of their housing programs; to undertake identification, acquisition and disposition of lands for socialized housing; and to undertake relocation and resettlement of families with local government units. (Republic Act 7279)
NHA was tasked with the implementation of the following components of the National Shelter Program – the Resettlement Program, Medium Rise Public and Private Housing, Cost Recoverable Programs and the Local Housing Program. (Republic Act 7835)
NHA was mandated to focus on socialized housing through the development and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated housing development and resettlement; speedy determination and development of government lands suitable for housing; and ensuring the sustainability of socialized housing funds by improving its collection efficiency, among others. (Executive Order 195)
Contact Information
Address: Quezon Memorial, Elliptical Road, Diliman 1100, Quezon City
Contact Number: (02) 928-4961 to 66
E-mail: webmaster@nha.gov.ph
Website: www.nha.gov.ph
-
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC)
Social housing powers and functions of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation such as the transfer of the Community Mortgage Program, Abot-Kaya Pabahay Fund Program has been directed and transferred to this government agency. The agency aims to provide 530,000 organized, homeless, and low-income families with Fair, Affordable, Innovative, and Responsive (FAIR) shelter solutions to their housing needs by 2022.
Contact Information
Address: 8737 Paseo de Roxas, BDO Plaza, Salcedo Village, Makati City
Contact Number: (02) 892 5194
Website: www.shfcph.com
-
The Registries of Deeds
Clients needing information about the title of lands go to Registry of Deeds (RD) office concerned. It is in this office that the service rendered to the public by the Land Registration Authority is almost done. Specifically, an RD is tasked with the following:
a) Register deeds affecting registered (Act 496) and unregistered (Act 3344) properties as well as deeds on personal properties under the Chattel Mortgage Law;
b) Entry and issuance of original certificates of title (OCT) pursuant to judicial decrees and patents; entry and issuance of all transfer certificates of title pursuant to registration of all subsequent dealings, voluntary or involuntary, on registered lands;
c) Collection of entry, registration, legal research and assurance fund fees in accordance with the rates provided by the law;
d) Reconstitution of lost certificates of title in accordance, with the provisions of Republic Act No. 26 as amended by PD 1529;
e) Cooperation with other agencies of government in the collection of taxes and fees such as land transfer tax, capital gains tax, donor’s gift tax, estate tax, real estate tax, residence tax, privilege tax.
Contact Information
Address: East Avenue Corner Nia Road, Quezon City
Contact Number: Central Office Public Assistance and Action Center (02) 925 6572
Website: www.lra.gov.ph
It is important to be aware of the functions of these government agencies since they are involved with the approval and inspection of various residential structures and urban development concerns in our country. When buying a condominium, you can go to the local government office where the property is located to get the approval of the developer’s plan. Titles of houses and lots being offered for sale can be checked through the Register of Deeds and other documents which are pertinent to the transaction are open for public scrutiny. Make sure to research on the background of the property before investing your hard-earned money.
Have you experienced transacting with government agencies which are involved in real estate? How was it? Share your comments below!
