I was invited over the weekend by the Philippine Allied Chamber of Real Estate Brokers and Licensed Salesmen, Inc (Philacre, Inc) to listen to their seminar on trends and issues anent the current real estate regulations. I realized in that seminar how "bad" the practice in real estate selling is today, and I learned the seeming resignation among the people in the industry that it is an irreversible fact in their business life.
I am consoled however that there are people who remain hopeful. People who care about the industry and people whose selfless resolve is to prove that "we can make that change." says Philacre president, Anthony "Tonton" Leuterio. Tonton thinks that the call for change should not only resound in political campaigns but "It should also be loud within our respective fields if we believe that change is the only thing that will save us from where we are now."
Philacre is a newcomer to the dozens of list of organizations in the real estate sector. I thought initially that this group is no different from any organization in which the ideals and goals are but just merely visible statements in their glossy tracks and by-laws. I thought it's just "one of those" organizations in which the personalities behind are all in purpose to posture and obtain that undeserved recognition from their peers and colleagues or from a popular bureaucrats.
But I was wrong.
Philacre is a "more than talk" organization. "There is a problem. We know where the problem is. But everybody is just talking about it. Worse, it turns out that we blame a lot of people for those problems. Philacre comes in to actively do its part. Simple as that." adds Tonton.
"Neophytes" they are to their critics, Philacre is slowly gaining ground as a business chamber for carrying out their vision and mission with activities all directed relentlessly to the problems of the industry. I would like to also think the reason why it is also becoming the organization of choice for new and old real estate practitioners is because it seeks to unite a long-divided sector.
For the longest time, we've seen the problem between brokers and salesmen; we've seen unresolved issues between realtors and developers and we've seen problems between customers and their agents. It’s in fact a long chain of problems that have made the real estate practice in the country very undignified and saddled by unhealthy competition. And Philacre wants to undo the situation.
Of course, Philacre doesn’t want to play hero for it cannot solve the problem alone. “It takes visible steps among its stakeholders.” Tonton says. Philacre therefore essentially wants to act as facilitators to loop everyone in the property business to help pare the rough edges that exist between and among them. “Everyone should get involved because it is our business. We have a big crisis now and we can’t afford to pull each other down. We are not here to fix the problem overnight but we’re here to facilitate dialog and action.” He further asserts.
Looking at what Philacre has accomplished so far as an organization, it has managed to offer free trainings to salesmen and realtors with zero money in the organization’s treasury. A good cause will always have its rewards. According to Tonton, “We’ve seen them happening in the organization. We got calls from developers and friends in the business to finance our projects. We’re inspired by such show of support to a new organization like ours.”
Philacre deserves our commendation and accolade for doing a very good job so far. But the task ahead is still great. Significant these accomplishments are to the organization, they should be mindful of the fact that they haven’t made a dent yet to the far bigger problems the property business has faced recently. They need to work even harder.
May Philacre Inc, continue to be that bearer of light to the real estate community so that others may be inspired by your noble attributes. May your tribe increase
No comments:
Post a Comment