Session 11.3: Subdivision Development - PD 957 & BP 220

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of Presidential Decree 957?

Answer 1

To protect buyers of condominium and subdivision projects against misrepresentations and fraudulent activities by developers, sellers, and operators.

Question 2

Presidential Decree 957, also known as the “Subdivision and Condominium Buyer’s Protective Decree”, covers which two categories of residential projects?

Answer 2

Medium Cost and Open Market residential projects.

Question 3

According to PD 957 site criteria, subdivision projects must avoid critical areas such as those subject to flooding, landslides, and _____.

Answer 3

unstable soil

Question 4

Under PD 957, what is the required minimum easement from the banks of rivers and streams in urban areas?

Answer 4

3 metres

Question 5

What is the required minimum easement from the banks of rivers and streams in agricultural areas under The Water Code?

Answer 5

20 metres.

Question 6

For a 69 KV transmission line, what is the minimum easement required by the National Power Corporation (NPC)?

Answer 6

15 metres.

Question 7

According to PHIVOLCS Resolution No. 515, development should not be located within what distance from a fault line?

Answer 7

5 metres.

Question 8

In a subdivision of one hectare or more, what is the maximum percentage of the gross area that can be designated as saleable?

Answer 8

70%.

Question 9

In a subdivision of one hectare or more, what is the minimum percentage of the gross area that must be non-saleable?

Answer 9

30%.

Question 10

What is the minimum percentage of a subdivision’s gross area that must be allocated for parks and playgrounds when there are 20 lots per hectare?

Answer 10

3.5%.

Question 11

What is the maximum percentage of a subdivision’s gross area that must be allocated for parks and playgrounds when there are 65 lots per hectare?

Answer 11

9%.

Question 12

A multi-purpose community centre is required for subdivision projects that are 1 hectare or larger or have at least how many lots/dwellings?

Answer 12

100 lots/dwellings.

Question 13

An elementary school is required in a subdivision project with at least how many lots or dwellings?

Answer 13

1,500 lots/dwellings.

Question 14

Under PD 957, a major road used as a main access road cannot be less than how many metres wide?

Answer 14

10 metres.

Question 15

A _____ is a 2-metre wide walkway used to break a block and serve pedestrians and for emergency purposes.

Answer 15

alley

Question 16

What is the maximum length of a block in a subdivision, after which an alley must be provided at mid-length if exceeded?

Answer 16

Blocks exceeding 250 metres must have an alley; the absolute maximum length is 400 metres.

Question 17

What is the minimum thickness for concrete road pavement in a subdivision under PD 957?

Answer 17

150 millimetres.

Question 18

What is the minimum compressive strength for concrete sidewalk pavement under PD 957?

Answer 18

17.2 Mega Pascal (MPa).

Question 19

The crown of subdivision roads must have a slope of not less than _____ to ensure proper drainage.

Answer 19

1.5 percent

Question 20

For open market housing under PD 957, what is the minimum floor area for a dwelling?

Answer 20

42 square metres.

Question 21

For medium cost housing under PD 957, what is the minimum floor area for a dwelling?

Answer 21

30 square metres.

Question 22

What is the Average Daily Demand (ADD) for water supply in open market and medium cost housing projects per PD 957?

Answer 22

150 litres per capita per day (LCPD).

Question 23

In a subdivision’s water system, the water tank capacity must be 20% of the Average Daily Demand plus a _____.

Answer 23

fire reserve

Question 24

Under PD 957, street lighting must be provided per pole if the distance is 50 metres, and on every other pole if the distance is _____.

Answer 24

less than 50 metres

Question 25

What is the minimum diameter for drainage pipes in a subdivision project according to PD 957?

Answer 25

30 centimetres.

Question 26

In condominium development under PD 957, no development is allowed within the 5-metre mandatory easement on both sides of the _____.

Answer 26

Marikina Valley Fault Trace

Question 27

For condominiums, when is a park and playground required?

Answer 27

When the project has a gross saleable area of 1,000 sq. metres or has ten or more condominium units.

Question 28

What is the minimum width of a path walk for pedestrian circulation in a condominium project?

Answer 28

1.2 metres.

Question 29

Under PD 957, what is the minimum area for a room intended for human habitation in a condominium?

Answer 29

6 square metres.

Question 30

What is the minimum floor area for a single occupancy condominium unit?

Answer 30

18 square metres.

Question 31

A 12-square-metre net floor area for a condominium unit may be allowed if it is intended for students or employees and located within a _____.

Answer 31

highly urbanized area

Question 32

The minimum floor area for a family dwelling condominium unit is _____ for open market and 22 sq. metres for medium cost.

Answer 32

36 square metres

Question 33

What is the parking slot requirement for condominium units with a floor area between 18 sq. m. and 22 sq. m.?

Answer 33

One slot for every 8 units.

Question 34

Off-site parking for a residential condominium must be located _____ metres away or less from the project.

Answer 34

100

Question 35

Off-site parking for a commercial condominium project must not be located more than _____ metres from the project.

Answer 35

200

Question 36

What is the minimum road right-of-way for a condominium project, and how is it allocated?

Answer 36

8 metres total: 6 metres for the carriageway and 2 metres for the sidewalk/planting strip.

Question 37

An approved preliminary subdivision development plan is valid for what period?

Answer 37

180 days from the date of approval.

Question 38

A subdivision or condominium development permit is valid for a period of _____ years from issuance if no physical development is introduced.

Answer 38

3

Question 39

What is a key additional requirement for the registration of a condominium project, involving the Master Deeds?

Answer 39

The Master Deeds must have a Declaration of Registration and Declaration of Restrictions annotated on the property title.

Question 40

A developer cannot sell any subdivision lot or condominium unit without a _____ issued by the Board (HLURB/DHSUD).

Answer 40

License to Sell

Question 41

For a subdivision project to be issued a license to sell, what is the minimum level of development required?

Answer 41

Land clearing and grubbing, road tracing, and an entrance gate if included in the brochure.

Question 42

For a condominium project, what minimum development level is required before a license to sell can be issued?

Answer 42

Excavation as per the approved plan or excavation permit.

Question 43

A notice of application for a license to sell must be published in two newspapers of general circulation once a week for _____ consecutive weeks.

Answer 43

two

Question 44

A surety bond used as a performance bond must be callable upon demand and amount to _____ of the development cost of the unfinished portion of the plan.

Answer 44

20%

Question 45

If a real estate mortgage is used as a performance bond, its value must be at least _____ of the total development cost.

Answer 45

20%

Question 46

Elevators must be provided for condominium projects that are how many storeys or higher?

Answer 46

Five storeys and above.

Question 47

The Certificate of Registration for a real estate broker or salesman expires on what date each year?

Answer 47

The first day of December.

Question 48

Term: Single Attached

Answer 48

A dwelling unit with one side attached to a firewall.

Question 49

Term: Rowhouse

Answer 49

A dwelling containing three or more living units abutting each other at the sides and separated by firewalls.

Question 50

Term: Through Lot

Answer 50

A lot bounded on two opposite sides by roads.

Question 51

A developer must complete a project within _____ year(s) from the issuance of the license to sell, unless an extension is granted by the Board.

Answer 51

one

Question 52

A buyer may desist from further payment if a developer fails to develop a project, and can be reimbursed the total amount paid plus interest at the _____.

Answer 52

legal rate

Question 53

What does Batas Pambansa Blg. 220 (BP 220) govern?

Answer 53

The standards and technical requirements for economic and socialized housing projects.

Question 54

BP 220 defines socialized housing as units affordable to those whose gross family income is within _____ percent of the level determined by NEDA.

Answer 54

thirty (30%)

Question 55

Term: Shell House (under BP 220)

Answer 55

A habitable unit with exterior walls, openings for doors/windows, plumbing fixtures, electrical wiring, and a floor.

Question 56

Term: Complete House (under BP 220)

Answer 56

A shell house with all windows, doors, and partition walls for separating functional areas.

Question 57

Under BP 220, what is the maximum length of a pathwalk or footpath?

Answer 57

50 metres.

Question 58

Under BP 220, what is the minimum ceiling height for habitable rooms, measured from the finished floor to the ceiling line?

Answer 58

2.00 metres.

Question 59

A mezzanine floor must have a clear ceiling height of not less than _____ metres above and below it.

Answer 59

1.80

Question 60

What is the minimum clear width for a main door in an economic or socialized housing unit?

Answer 60

0.80 metres.

Question 61

What is the minimum clear width for a bathroom door in an economic or socialized housing unit?

Answer 61

0.60 metres.

Question 62

In socialized housing, rooms for habitable use must have window openings of at least _____ of the floor area.

Answer 62

10%

Question 63

What is the minimum width for stairs under BP 220 standards?

Answer 63

0.60 metres.

Question 64

The maximum riser height for stairs in socialized housing is _____ metres, and the minimum tread depth is 0.20 metres.

Answer 64

0.25

Question 65

Under BP 220, what is the maximum vertical distance allowed between stair landings?

Answer 65

3.60 metres.

Question 66

Who must the owner or developer donate the completed roads and open spaces of a subdivision project to?

Answer 66

The local government of the area.

Question 67

Parks and playgrounds may be donated to the duly accredited Homeowners Association with the consent of the _____.

Answer 67

city or municipality concerned

Question 68

What is the main mandate of Presidential Decree No. 1216, which amends PD 957?

Answer 68

It requires that at least 30% of the total area of residential subdivisions (one hectare or more) be reserved as open spaces.

Question 69

Under PD 1216, areas reserved for parks, playgrounds, and recreational use are considered _____ public lands and are non-buildable.

Answer 69

non-alienable

Question 70

Is it mandatory for local governments to accept the donation of completed roads, alleys, sidewalks, and playgrounds from a developer?

Answer 70

Yes, it is mandatory.