WITH ITS forthcoming national convention, the largest organization of subdivision and housing developers in the Philippines is reasserting itself in playing a key role in the country?s economic recovery.

?The country?s housing data show the property market is holding up well amid the global economic turmoil. This only shows how the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association could take an active role in promoting national recovery,? said Bansan Choa, national president of SHDA.

He said that considering that SHDA was composed of the country?s top real estate developers ? Ayala Land, Vista Land, Robinsons Land and Filinvest among them ? the group has the ability to establish its authority as the most influential real estate development organization in the country.

?Right now, there?s a double-digit growth in the number of projects, much better than last year when construction prices were too high. Imagine if we are able to sustain and even improve these figures,? Choa said.

He explained that the housing sector was composed of various segments catering to various financial capabilities of Filipino families: P400,000 for socialized housing; P401,000 to P750,000 for economic housing; P751,000 to P3 million for low-cost housing; and above P3 million for the ?open market? including middle-income and high-end segments.

?All these sectors are exhibiting satisfactory figures at the moment and as we hold our national convention, we will push our members to do more considering that housing has a high multiplier effect on the economy,? Choa said.

He said housing has a multiplier effect of 16.6 times, meaning that for every P10 billion worth of housing units, it will contribute a total of P166 billion of economic activity for the country.

?It has been observed that poverty incidence seems to subside during episodes of high construction activities,? said Eduardo Alunan, SHDA national chair. ?And that we will intend to aim for in the coming months and years.?

Alunan said the national convention slated on September 17 to 18 at the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel would invite some of the country?s leaders in the housing sector.

?The event will be very significant as Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Chair, Vice President Noli de Castro, will discuss the national stimulus package in his keynote address while Augusto Santos, officer in charge of the National Economic and Development Authority?s Office of Director General will tackle economic forecast and outlook for 2010 as well as the housing industry and the Philippine economy in general,? Alunan said.

Other speakers invited are Antonio Herbosa of the Center for Global Best Practices who would discuss the private sector perspective of the country?s economic outlook for housing.

Development Bank of the Philippines? Brillo Reynes, Land Bank of the Philippines? Edward John Reyes, and Allied Bank?s Anthony Cua will share some new alternative funding sources for housing while Board of Investment executive director Lucita Reyes will discuss investment priorities and program and incentives for developers.

Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines president and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos will talk on the role of local government units in encouraging housing activities.

Speakers include Philippine Retirement Authority chairman Edgardo Aglipay, Civil Service Assistant Commissioner Anicia de Lima, Dr. Sopon Pornchokchai (who will discuss housing markets in Manila and Asean countries), Home Development Mutual Fund (or Pag-Ibig Fund) Chair and CEO Jaime Fabiana, Home Guaranty Corp. president Gonzalo Bongolan, and Commissioner Romulo Fabul of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board.

?From this list of guests and speakers, one could see that SHDA is all bent on sustaining and nurturing strong partnership with the country?s key shelter agencies as well as other government agencies and other institutions concerned with housing. Thus, our members would be better equipped in dealing with their respective concerns,? said Manuel Crisostomo, SHDA vice president and this year?s convention chair.

Choa added that in recent years, SHDA has played the lead role in advising Vice President De Castro in various housing matters including the reduction of interest rates on housing loans in 2006; the extension of repayment terms to a maximum of 30 years; and an increase in the loan-to-value ratio of the housing unit used as a collateral.

?SHDA gives feedback and inputs from the housing industry practitioners which serve as basis for proposed policy changes, procedures as well as in the formulation/promulgation of executive orders, memorandum circulars, etc. Our members would be very pleased about the programs we have prepared for them in this forthcoming national convention,? Choa said.