Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH (17"") CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 6095

Introduced by Representative Manuel Monsour T. Del Rosario III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill principally intends to provide equal protection to informal settlers and to
landowners. In particular, it aims to provide a mandatory period for relocating informal settlers
and to grant tax exemption to illegally occupied residential lands. Moreover, it seeks to compensate
landowners in case of failure of the local government unit to act on the request of the landowner
to evict illegal occupants within the prescribed period.

‘Squatting is a huge social and economic problem in the Philippines. Squatters (now called
“informal settlers” to hew to the expedience of political correctness) are protected by law that
make it difficult to remove them from properties they infest. With the repeal of Presidential Decree
772 in 1997—the erstwhile Marcos-era law that criminalized “squatting”—by Republic Act No.
8368 (“Anti-Squatting Law Repeal Act of 1997"), the problem of squatting has increased
dramatically.

Recognizing that the goal of achieving genuine urban housing and land reform has been
greatly retarded by the abuses of professional squatters and squatting syndicates who have taken
advantage of the seeming “de-criminalization” of their activities, Republic Act No. 7279, [Urban
Development and Housing Act (UDHA)], established restrictions against these unlawful elements.
Yet, despite this law, hapless landowners continue to suffer from the impunity of squatters. Even
intended for poor, homeless but qualified beneficiaries have not been spared
ies of professional squatters and squatting syndicates who exploit the homeless
poor and destabilize the government’s housing programs,

This utter disregard for the property rights of landowners often find support from traditional
politicians who abet the unlawful activities of professional squatters and squatting syndicates,
instead of faithfully implementing the provision of the UDHA on summary eviction. This has
paved the way for professional squatters and squatting syndicates to circumvent the UDHA with
impunity.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is fervently sought.

32
MONSOUR T. DEL ROSARIO III


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH (17") CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6095

Introduced by Representative Manuel Monsour T. Del Rosario III

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MANDATORY PERIOD TO RELOCATE SQUATTERS,
GRANTING DISTURBANCE FEE AND TAX EXEMPTION TO OWNERS OF
ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL LANDS, AND PENALIZING VIOLATIONS
THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Landowners Protection Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to afford
protection and promote full respect for property rights of every citizen to ensure optimum
utilization of one’s property free from any infringements and encroachments.

SEC. 3. Definition. — As used in this Act, the term “squatter” shall refer to any person
who occupies residential land without the consent of the landowner.

SEC. 4. Relocation; Disturbance fee. ~ The local government unit shall, in coordination
with the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the National Housing
Authority, be responsible for the relocation of squatters within six (6) months from receipt of the
written request for assistance from the landowner to evict squatters; Provided, however, that,
should relocation not be effected, the local government unit concerned shall pay the landowner a
disturbance fee equivalent to the tax due of the illegally occupied land until the squatters have been
relocated; Provided further, that, payment of the disturbance fee shall commence one (1) year after
the prescribed period to relocate had lapsed.

SEC. 5. Tax Exemption. — All residential lands illegally occupied shall be exempt from
payment of real property tax during the period of occupancy; Provided that, tax exemption under
this Section shall commence sixty (60) days after presentation of the written request for assistance
to evict squatters.

SEC. 6. Penalties. — Any person found guilty of violating any provision this Act shall
suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not more than three (3) years or a fine of One Hundred
Thousand Pesos (P100,000,00), or both, at the discretion of the court.

The local chief executive and the Punong Barangay who fail to prevent the construction of
any kind of dwelling unit or structure of privately-owned residential land within their jurisdiction


shall be meted a penalty of suspension for a period of six (6) months and penal sanctions provided
under this Section.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The Department of the Interior and Local
Government, in coordination with the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and
the National Housing Authority, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations within ninety
(90) days upon approval of this Act.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,