Foreword of Secretary Chito M. Cruz for the Q & A on Housing and Land Use

1. Republic of the Philippines
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL
15ht Floor, BDO Plaza, 8737 Paseo De Roxas, Makati City
Foreword
This book entitled “Q &
A ON HOUSING AND LAND USE
FOR SUBDIVISION & CONDO-
MINIUM BUYERS AND REAL
ESTATE PRACTITIONERS” by
Atty. Alvin T. Claridades is one
piece of work worth commend-
ing and recommending if only
for its attempt to “laymanize”
and simplify the provisions of the various laws and
regulations pertaining to housing and land use to the
end that they are easily understood by its end-users.
The reduction of the technical and legal provi-
sions of certain legislative enactments and administra-
tive issuances into a Question-and-Answer (Q & A)
format has, to a large extent, provided crisp and quick
answers to questions which have persistently nagged
our homebuyers, real estate sellers and even local
government planners. More importantly, frequently
asked questions on such important contemporary sub-
jects as: (1) comprehensive land use planning, (2) de-
sign standards and requirements for economic and so-
cialized housing projects, (3) regulation of subdivision
and condominium development projects, columbari-
um, memorial parks and cemeteries, (4) homeowners
associations (HOAs), and (5) regulation of brokers,
dealers and salesmen engaged in the selling of subdivi-

2. sion lots and condominium units, have been appropri-
ately responded to in this publication.
We have also taken positive note of the inclusion
in this work of the compendium of major laws and is-
suances pertaining to housing and land use such as the
Condominium Law (Republic Act 4726), Maceda Law
(RA 6552), Presidential Decree No. 957, Batas Pam-
bansa Blg. 220, the Urban Development and Housing
Act of 1992 (RA 7279), Executive Order No. 90 (1986)
creating the Housing and Urban Development Coordi-
nating Council (HUDCC), the Real Estate Service Act
(RA 9646) and the Magna Carta for Homeowners and
Homeowners’ Associations (RA 9904). We also find the
inclusion of a glossary of housing terms helpful as it
provides quick definitions of certain terms usually en-
countered by players in the industry.
In ending, allow us the liberty of congratulating
Atty. Claridades, the current Director of the HUDCC-
Asset Reform Group, for his painstaking efforts in com-
ing up with this book which we believe will go a long
way towards educating and properly guiding subdivi-
sion and condominium buyers, real estate practition-
ers, concerned government officials, law students and
our colleagues in the legal profession.
SEC. CHITO M. CRUZ
Chairman, HUDCC