Resettlement, Aid and Rehabilitation Services for the Informal Settlers

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 AUG -5 P4:28 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE RESETTLEMENT, AID AND REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE INFORMAL SETTLERS AFFECTED BY THE DEMOLITION OF HOUSES / DWELLINGS ALONG DANGER AREAS AS WELL AS THE VICTIMS OF DISASTERS AND CALAMITIES AND THOSE AFFECTED BY GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN URBAN AREAS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Population growth and migration of Filipinos has contributed to the proliferation of illegal settlers in both public and private lands in urban areas all over the country. Unfortunately, the demolition and mass eviction of informal settlers is usually met with opposition and violent behavior. It results in injuries and damages to property even death. According to the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, there are 3.7 million informal settler families (ISF) who do not have security of tenure in 2021. "Moreover, the housing need estimates have accumulated to 6.8 million in 2017- 2022. Housing backlog persists in the socialized segment due to affordability issues. Only around 96,269 socialized housing units were approved or demanded from 2017-2020, which is indicative of unaffordability. From 2001 to 2018, around 10.16

percent of the housing supply has gone to the socialized segment, and the shares have been decreasing. "1 This bill seeks to protect the informal settlers as well as victims of disasters and calamities and those affected by government infrastructure projects. It aims to provide funds for the immediate relief of the displaced underprivileged families and homeless citizens and the establishment of resettlement centers, home sites or town sites under local and national housing programs or under the other socialized housing programs of other agencies. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. ingestat l JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA ' Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 - Philippine Development Plan

Offter oftors TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) AUG -5 P4:28 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. - Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE RESETTLEMENT, AID AND REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE INFORMAL SETTLERS AFFECTED BY THE DEMOLITION OF HOUSES / DWELLINGS ALONG DANGER AREAS AS WELL AS THE VICTIMS OF DISASTERS AND CALAMITIES AND THOSE AFFECTED BY GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN URBAN AREAS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State

2 to assist the underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban areas adversely affected 3 by the demolition of houses / dwellings along danger areas such as esteros, garbage 4 dumps, riverbanks, shorelines, waterways and other public places such as sidewalks, 5 roads, parks and playgrounds as well as the victims of disasters and calamities and those affected by government infrastructure projects.

Sec. 2. Statement of Objectives and Guidelines. - This Act is intended to help

the underprivileged and homeless citizens who suffered damages to property and injury to persons resulting from the demolition in or the clearing up of the aforementioned danger areas as well as the victims of disasters and calamities and those affected by government infrastructure projects in urban areas. It aims to provide funds for the immediate relief of the displaced underprivileged families and homeless citizens and the establishment of resettlement centers, home sites or town

1 sites under local and national housing programs or under the other socialized 2 housing programs of other agencies.

Sec. 3. Guidelines in the Allocation of Funds. - Government funds and

resources shall be spent effectively in consonance with the principle of providing the greatest good for the greatest number. Accordingly, the following guidelines shall 6 be observed in allocating the funds made available for the implementation of this 7 Act: (a) Funds shall be allocated exclusively for the underprivileged and homeless citizens affected by the demolition of their houses/ dwellings in urban areas; (b) Funds shall be used exclusively for relocation or resettlement sites under local and national housing programs or under the other socialized housing programs of other agencies; (c) Funds shall be used, when necessary, for the construction of basic services and facilities such as schools, health centers as well as roads or access to places of employment and livelihood which should be sufficient to meet the basic needs of the affected families; and, (d) In no case shall any portion of the sum herein appropriated be used in payment of any subsisting obligation contracted before the passage of this Act.

Sec. 4. Determination of Beneficiaries and Projects. - City mayors, in

consultation with national and local government agencies, shall assist in the 23 resettlement of beneficiaries under local and national housing programs or under the other socialized housing programs of other agencies. The Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, in coordination with the Local government unit concerned, shall take the census of beneficiaries and cross- check the same with the census of the National Housing Authority (NHA).

Sec. 5. Alpha Listing of Beneficiaries. - The Department of Human

Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) in coordination with local government units, shall produce an alpha listing of the beneficiaries covered under this Act.

Sec. 6. Penalty Clause. - Any person or persons who shall take advantage

of the situation for undue personal and private gain by committing an act of

1 profiteering in the purchase of lots or materials, or by committing an act of 2 misrepresentation in the documentation, or by falsifying reports shall be imposed the penalty of not more than six (6) years of imprisonment or a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos 5 (P100,000.00). Any other illegal act that may be committed in relation thereto shall be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Sec. 7. Appropriations.

- The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included the annual General Appropriations Act until such time that 9 the total requirements for this purpose shall have been fully implemented.

Sec. 8. Rules and Regulations. - The DHSUD, in coordination with local

government units, shall within thirty (30) days from the approval of this Act, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provisions of this Act shall be held

unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, decree, rules and regulations which

are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or repealed accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. Approved,