An HLURB clarification on mortgage clearance

We would like to thank the Inquirer for the article titled “Ways to avoid being a victim of property scams” (Property, 6/28/14) by Tessa R. Salazar, which we believe should be most helpful to the buying public. As the Inquirer knows, the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) is also principally mandated to protect the interest of condominium unit and subdivision lot buyers, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 957.

However, for a better understanding of the point on HLURB mortgage clearance (item No. 10, second bullet of Salazar’s article), allow us to elaborate: If the lot/unit or project appears to have been mortgaged, the buyer should verify if a clearance had been secured by the developer from the HLURB prior to such mortgage, in accordance with Section 18 of PD 957.

—ANTONIO M. BERNARDO,

commissioner and chief executive officer,

Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board