Participants realized that there are many things to understand and ensure before constructing or purchasing a lot or unit in a subdivision through the MHSD Forum for Developers and Stakeholders: Policy Dissemination for Understanding the Guidelines on Real Estate Development held at the EM Manor Hotel and Convention Center, Cotabato City on September 10, 2024.

The primary objective of the activity was to provide complete information regarding the legal framework governing real estate development and clarify the necessary rules and documents for subdivisions and other real estate projects.

It also aimed to inform about common practices and misconceptions in real estate development, and manage a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange between and among developers, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.

Minister Atty. Hamid Aminoddin D. Barra led the group from MHSD that participated and managed the forum, along with Deputy Minister Aldin H. Asiri, Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim, Director for Technical and Regulatory Services (TRS) Suharto S. Wahab, Director for Operations and Management Services (OMS) Salem C. Demuna, and heads of various divisions of the Ministry.

Minister Barra expressed his delight in seeing and being with the participants at the forum and first informed them that MHSD invited experts to discuss important topics at the forum.

“This forum is very important for the participants to understand the mandate and services of MHSD in developing human settlements and promoting rural and urban development in the Bangsamoro Region,” the minister said.

Highlighted in the forum, organized by the Policy Development Coordination and Regulation Division (PDCRD) under the TRS of the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD), the Housing Arm of BARMM, was the thorough presentation and discussion of important topics regarding real estate regulations.

The resource speakers came from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), National Housing Authority (NHA), and MHSD.

First, Jayharie C. Mantil, Chief of the Housing, Real Estate Development Regulation Division of DHSUD-XII, shared the topic Regulation of Subdivision Projects where he explained the responsibilities of their office and the laws, correct processes, and necessary documents, such as registration and license, needed before establishing a subdivision in any location.

Next, Engr. Zenaida M. Cabiles, Regional Manager of NHA-XII, shared important information about Housing Development Projects of NHA and she shared the six important processes in project implementation.

These are, in sequence, social preparation, land acquisition, project planning development and preparation, project implementation, project disposition and asset management, and disengagement, according to Engr. Cabiles.

After this, L. Arch. Jehanna M. Abdulkarim, Chief of PDCRD at MHSD, informed about the regulations implemented by MHSD in real estate development in the Bangsamoro.

She explained that a subdivision is any parcel of land registered under Act 496 primarily divided for residential purposes into individual lots, with or without improvements, and offered to the public for sale, in cash or in installment terms.

She also mentioned that if a subdivision project is not registered, it is considered and tagged as an “ILLEGAL SUBDIVISION.” She said it is necessary to first obtain a Certificate of Registration and License to Sell or CR/LS from MHSD, documents proving that a subdivision is legal and registered and passed the standards and requirements set under Presidential Decree or PD 957.

Lastly, Architect III Samantha Jean A. Wee from the Planning and Design Division (PDD) of MHSD shared about the Infrastructure Projects and Development where participants learned that the Ministry is constructing up to 4,443 housing units and 1,257 of these are already completed.

Before the presentation of the key topics, Atty. Janice-zah M. Macapantar, Acting Director of TRS and Chief of the Environment Land Use and Urban Development Division (ELUUDD), shared the mandate and programs of MHSD in detail.

The facilitators allocated time for participants to ask the speakers about the important aspects of the topics they needed to know as developers and stakeholders.

Before the forum ended, Director Wahab provided a synthesis or summary of the activity, and Deputy Minister Asiri and Director General Ebrahim gave messages of support, appreciation, and motivation.