The document discusses issues with land administration and registration in the Philippines, proposing the passage of the Land Administration Reform Act to create a Land Administration Authority to better regulate land use and protect legitimate land owners. It also describes the Riverview Mansion condominium development in Manila, which offers luxury residential units, commercial spaces, and amenities while being located near Binondo. An architect from Cebu is also honored for his contributions to Philippine architecture and cultural heritage preservation.

1. Property Thursday, July 21, 2011 B-7
Editor: PINKY CONCHA COLMENARES
On the Riverview Mansion
real estate law
circles or being passed around by
Live and work
various government offices. As if
that’s not enough, the process of
finding answers and accomplish-
ing things at such offices can take
a lifetime. Thus, the person who
in Chinatown
Binondo is the gate- dishes. Key institutions
The Chamber of Real Estate simply wants to purchase the land way to Manila’s rich like schools, hospitals,
& Builders’ Associations, Inc. ends up wasting precious time and culture and fascinating and churches are likewise
(CREBA) gladly supports the money, until solutions get too late history. It is a relic of a nearby.
passage of Senate Bill No. 2757 and the buyer may simply have glorious past despite The proximity to Bi-
amending, among others, Section no need or no interest with such the ongoing modern- nondo central business
28(a) of Republic Act No. 9646, the property. ization of the rest of district keeps residents
Real Estate Service Act (RESA). As the country’s largest um- the metropolis. It is close to their extended
CREBA is objecting to this par- brella group of real estate stake- said that good fortune families and their busi-
ticular provision which effectively holders, CREBA puts forward dwells in Binondo that nesses. Second and third-
prohibits real estate developers a proposal to try and solve the the descendants of generation Binondo family
from practicing real estate in the problems of land administration, early settlers and the members seeking their
Philippines. We are grateful to note registration, and titling that are Chinese mestizo mer- own address will find a
that our proposals were taken into plaguing our housing sector. We chants remain attached perfect home.
consideration in this amendatory are submitting to the Senate CRE- to this place up to this The 34-story condo -
bill introduced by Senator Antonio BA’s proposal on the enactment of day. minium boasts of spa-
F. Trillanes IV. the Land Administration Reform Federal Land, Inc., cious one-, two- and three-
While it does not oppose the Act (LARA) which creates for the which traces its roots bedroom units as well
entirety of the law which serves purpose the Land Administration to this historic enclave, as four-bedroom units
to regulate the practice of the Authority (LAA). understands that the targeted for big families.
country’s real estate service pro- What is the LARA, you ask? It two things closest to The Riverview Mansion
fessionals, CREBA maintains that is an act that essentially aims to the hearts of these Bi- completes a self-contained
prohibiting real estate developers continually institute reforms in nondo natives are fam- community with commer-
from engaging in real estate ser- land registration, administration, ily and business. This is cial spaces on the ground
vice violates their property rights and titling in an “organized man- the inspiration behind floor, an amenity floor, a
enshrined in Section 1, Article 3, of ner” that is in keeping with global River view Mansion, roof-deck amenity level,
the Constitution. There is no logic standards. Moreover, it seeks to where residents can state-of-the-art security
in exempting a natural or juridi- protect the rights of legitimate land enjoy the best of both features, and ample park-
cal person directly performing by owners by ensuring the integrity worlds. ing spaces.
himself acts mentioned in Section and reliability of land titles. Riverview Mansion Residents can come
3 of the RESA with reference to While this is all well as good, it makes it possible to home to an array of luxu-
his own property, from licensing does not and should not stop there. work and live in the rious facilities, making
or registration requirements – Because the real problem is not heart of Chinatown. the pleasures of life just
yet cover real estate developers. with fake titles; it stems from a Residents can enjoy a within reach. They can
It likewise impinges on their jus mix-up on who issued that land title view of the city from the indulge in the inviting
ponendi or the right to dispose of in the first place. With our country high-rise residential waters of the swimming
their property under Article 428 of made up of so many parcels of land tower that singularly pool or the wading pool.
the Civil Code. scattered across 7,100-plus islands, looms against the Bi- The young ones will have a
We submitted a follow-up on the task of issuing land titles can nondo skyline. It also good time at the play area
our recommendations to Sen. indeed be confusing. affords an unobstruct- or they can mingle with
Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Sen. Juan The LARA, therefore, goes on ed glimpse of the Pasig RIVERVIEW MANSION other kids at the daycare
Miguel F. Zubiri, Sen. Teofisto D. further and proposes the creation River which is believed center.
Guingona III, and Sen. Manuel B. of a body to ensure that its thrust to be an indication of prosperity Manila. This is also the best stop for A healthy lifestyle becomes eas-
Villar, Jr., as well as to our honor- is brought to fruition. And this and abundance. With a sunset as a a one-of-a-kind culinary adventure ier to pursue with its fully-equipped
able friends in the Lower House to comes in the form of the Land background, its sight gives a whole with its restaurants that feature au- fitness gym and a meditation area.
share our cause: Rep. Rodolfo G. Administration Authority (LAA). new meaning to city living with a thentic Chinese cuisine and other Meanwhile the multi-purpose hall is
Valencia, Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing, In a nutshell, the Authority is an available for functions, gatherings
Rep. Joseph Victor G. Ejercito and inter-agency body under the Office and other social events.
Rep. Francisco T. Matugas. of the President that aims to pre- The roof deck offers a 360-
scribe and regulate the use of land degree view of the panoramic vista
***** by defining the physical boundaries below. Aside from the lush green-
Along with food and cloth- in order to avoid confusion as well ery, the development will also have
ing, shelter is considered one of as ensure that the objectives of a jogging path, a health walk and a
mankind’s most basic needs. For LARA are met. Tai Chi area.
indeed, how can one expect a Aside from the various gov- The Riverview Mansion makes
person to live a decent existence ernment agencies (including the an ideal investment with its profes-
without nutrition, clothing on his League of Provinces, DoJ, DENR, sional property management team
back, and a roof over his head. We DoF, NEDA) the LAA will likewise ensuring the value appreciation of
are talking about decent, well-built be comprised of representatives the buyers’ homes. A one-bedroom
homes, apartments, or other types from the private land sector, the unit comes fully furnished with an
of shelter where individuals and basic sector, geo engineers, the affordable amortization of about
their families can grow and thrive IT sector, representatives from R9,500 per month.
as a social unit. the various local land offices, and The showroom is located at the
While the issue of availability a Director General to oversee 3rd floor of Tytana Plaza, Plaza San
is somehow being addressed by everything. ONE-BEDROOM UNIT Lorenzo, Binondo, Manila.
various government agencies and Yes, the problems are many
private sector groups, there is still and far greater than the ones cited
a “snag,” if you will, that’s causing above. But remember that such a view.
a bit of a problem for many of our proposal as LARA and the LAA are Strategically located at
countrymen who simply want to not meant to solve the problems at Tomas Pinpin Street corner
have a roof over their heads. This hand nor is it the reform process Muelle del Banco Nacional
is the issue of land. itself. It is merely the long-awaited in the Escolta area, it has
We often hear horrendous ac- start. As they say, it all starts with the advantage of high ac-
counts and traumatic stories about one small step in the right direc- cessibility to major points in
land titles, registration, and even tion. the Metro. More than that,
distribution fraud, from people who With such a step, we in CREBA it is a leisurely stroll away
purchase a house and lot or even a hope to see the day when there will from Chinatown, the center
piece of land. be equal opportunity for all and of commerce in this side of
While there is a way to resolve everyone to get the food, clothing,
a land title mix-up, for instance, and decent shelter that Filipinos
it usually involves going around rightfully deserve.
Manila honors Cebu property developer
Architect Augusto Villalon was
recently honored with the Ang
Gawad Diwa ng Lahi of the City
of Manila. Manila Mayor Alfredo
Lim handed the award to Arch.
Villalon during the ceremonies
celebrating the Araw ng May-
nila.
Arch. Villalon is the president
of Genvi Dev’t. Corp., a developer
in Cebu. Its flagship project is
Monterrazas de Cebu, an inte-
grated mixed-use township de-
velopment inspired by Cebuano
heritage but executed using
global design.
The award recognized his Arch. Villalon is a recipient of
“valuable contributions to Phil- many awards. Among them are
ippine architecture, his impact the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage
on the preservation of the coun- Conservation Award, the National
try’s cultural heritage, and his Commission for Culture and Arts
advocating the preservation and (as a Dangal ng Haraya Lifetime
restoration of Manila’s heritage Achievement awardee), the Unit-
structures.” ed Architects of the Philippines.