CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- To combat illicit practices within the real estate sector, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)-10 oriented members of the regional consumer network (ConsumerNet) to raise awareness about the government's efforts against real estate scammers.

During the recent first quarter meeting of the regional ConsumerNet, DHSUD-10 provided insights into the creation of an inter-agency task force dedicated to tackling illegal real estate activities, as outlined in Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 series of 2021.

Lawyer Coreine Imee Valledor-Sarraga, the assistant regional director of DHSUD-10, shed light on prevalent violations committed by real estate operators and "colorum" (unregistered) brokers and agents. These violations included enticing consumers with appealing offers on fraudulent housing, subdivisions, condominiums, farm lots, and memorial park projects. 

"They also aggressively offer units belonging to existing projects at prices lower than their market values, and then quickly become out of reach by their victims after payment has been received," Sarraga emphasized

She also pointed out that these scammers often sell the same property to multiple buyers without providing the necessary deeds of conveyance, engage in the sale of mortgaged or unregistered project units, and act as unauthorized intermediaries, complicating the transaction process.

Sarraga said the establishment of the task force aims to put an end to these unlawful activities that prey on unsuspecting homebuyers,

"The purpose of JMC No. 1 is to put an end to the illicit practices of unsupervised developers, real estate brokers, agents, and salespersons engaged in the illegal selling of subdivision houses, and to protect home and project unit buyers, especially overseas Filipino workers," she stressed. 

The task force, according to her, is composed of DHSUD, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Registration Authority, Professional Regulation Commission, and the Philippine National Police.

Meanwhile, Sarraga urged ConsumerNet members to play an active role in advising homebuyers to remain vigilant and demand a Certificate of Registration and License to Sell (CRLS) from real estate operators and agents before making any financial commitments.

The ConsumerNet is a network of government agencies tasked to implement consumer-related laws and perform consumer protection functions. (APB/PIA-10)