Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Twentieth Congress 
1st   Regular Session 
   HOUSE BILL NO.___ 
Introduced by Rep. Elisa  T.  Kho and Rep. Antonio T.  Kho 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Philippine Constitution, specifically Section 9, Article XIII, mandates the State 
to collaborate with the public sector to implement an ongoing urban land reform and housing 
program. This program aims to provide affordable, decent housing and basic services to 
underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban centers and resettlement areas, while also 
promoting adequate employment opportunities. Section 10 further emphasizes the importance of 
adequate consultation with affected communities before any resettlement of urban or rural 
dwellers. 
Reinforcing this, Section 26 of Republic Act No. 7279 (the Urban Development and 
Housing Act of 1992) prioritizes on-site development to minimize displacement of occupants in 
blighted and slum areas. Resettlement away from current locations is only to occur if on-site 
development is not feasible and after adhering to the procedures outlined in Section 28 of the 
same Act. 
Despite these provisions, government-provided resettlement sites for informal settler 
families have predominantly been off-city locations. These distant sites often lack employment 
opportunities, livelihood options, and essential social services. Consequently, many families are 
compelled to return to cities in search of work, leading them back to informal settlements – 
cycles of extreme poverty, social exclusion, and unsafe living conditions. 
This proposed bill seeks to remedy this critical issue by institutionalizing inclusive 
growth through a local government unit (LGU)-led resettlement program. This program 
prioritizes on-site, in-city, or near-city options, recognizing the right of people to remain within 
their urban environment. Off-city resettlement would only be considered as a last resort, when 
near-city options are genuinely unfeasible, and must be preceded by adequate and responsive 
consultation with the affected communities. 
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12:15 pm
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Furthermore, the bill emphasizes social preparation activities for beneficiaries and the 
institutionalization of a "People's Plan". This plan is to be developed by the beneficiaries 
themselves, in coordination with the implementing LGU, ensuring a truly community-driven 
approach to resettlement. 
This measure builds upon previous legislative efforts, notably from the 18th and 19th 
Congress, which was approved on its 3rd Reading.  
Given these considerations, the immediate passage of this bill is strongly urged. 
REP. ELISA T.  KHO, M.D.,FPCCP
  REP.  ANTONIO T. KHO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Twentieth Congress 
1st   Regular Session 
   HOUSE BILL NO.___ 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Rep. Elisa  T.  Kho and Rep. Antonio T.  Kho 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING AN ON-SITE, IN-CITY, NEAR-CITY, OR OFF-CITY LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM FOR INFORMAL SETTLER 
FAMILIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PEOPLE'S PLAN AND MANDATING THE 
IMPLEMENTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT, JOINTLY WITH THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, IN 
CASES OF NEAR-CITY OR OFF-CITY RESETTLEMENT, TO PROVIDE OTHER 
BASIC SERVICES AND LIVELIHOOD COMPONENTS IN FAVOR OF THE 
RECIPIENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7279, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "URBAN 
DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING ACT OF 1992" 
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 to uphold the 
constitutional right of the people to decent housing and basic services at affordable cost, and to 
promote adequate employment opportunities for underprivileged and homeless citizens. The 
State recognizes the importance of a people-centered and inclusive approach to urban 
development and housing, ensuring that resettlement programs respect the rights and dignity of 
informal settler families, minimize displacement, and provide sustainable living conditions. 
SECTION 2. Section 26 of Republic Act No. 7279, as amended, is hereby further amended to 
read as follows: 
"SEC. 26. Priorities in the Implementation of the Program. – In the implementation of the 
program, the following priorities shall be observed: 
"(a) On-site development shall be implemented whenever possible in order to ensure minimum 
movement of occupants of blighted lands and slum areas. 
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"(b) When on-site development is not feasible, the resettlement of the beneficiaries of the 
Program from their existing places of occupancy shall be undertaken only after compliance with 
the procedures laid down in Section 28 of this Act, and in accordance with the following 
hierarchy of options, in consultation with the affected informal settler families:  
1. In-city resettlement: Within the same city or municipality where the informal settler families 
are currently residing.  
2. Near-city resettlement: In a city or municipality immediately adjacent to the city or 
municipality where the informal settler families are currently residing.  
3. Off-city resettlement: In a city or municipality beyond the immediate adjacent areas, to be 
resorted to only when in-city and near-city resettlement options are not feasible. 
"All resettlement activities shall be undertaken in accordance with a People's Plan as defined in 
this Act." 
SECTION 3. A new Section 28-A is hereby inserted after Section 28 of Republic Act No. 7279, 
as amended, to read as follows: 
"SEC. 28-A. People's Plan and Resettlement Program Components. – 
"(a) People's Plan. All resettlement programs for informal settler families shall be based on a 
People's Plan developed by the affected informal settler families themselves, in coordination 
with the implementing local government unit (LGU). The People's Plan shall include, but not be 
limited to, details on site development, housing design, community facilities, livelihood 
opportunities, and social preparation activities. The implementing LGU shall provide technical 
assistance and support in the formulation and execution of the People's Plan. 
"(b) Social Preparation. Prior to any resettlement, the implementing LGU, in coordination with 
relevant government agencies and non-government organizations, shall conduct comprehensive 
social preparation activities for the affected informal settler families. These activities shall 
include, but not be limited to, orientation on the resettlement program, livelihood training, 
psycho-social support, and community organizing to ensure the smooth transition and integration 
of families into their new communities. 
"(c) Basic Services and Livelihood Components for Near-City and Off-City Resettlement. In 
cases of near-city or off-city resettlement, the implementing LGU, jointly with the Department of 
Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), shall be mandated to provide, or ensure 
the provision of, the following basic services and livelihood components in favor of the recipient 
local government unit and the resettled families:  
1. Basic Services: Includes, but not limited to, access to safe water, electricity, sanitation 
facilities, health centers, schools, public transportation, and solid waste management. 


 2. Livelihood Components: Includes, but not limited to, skills training, job facilitation, 
access to micro-financing, establishment of local markets, and other economic opportunities 
appropriate to the new community. 
 3. Consultation and Coordination: Adequate and responsive consultation shall be 
conducted with both the informal settler families to be relocated and the communities where they 
are to be relocated, prior to any relocation. The implementing LGU and DHSUD shall ensure 
effective coordination with the recipient LGU to facilitate the provision of these services and 
components. 
"(d) Funding for Basic Services and Livelihood Components. The necessary funds for the 
provision of basic services and livelihood components for near-city and off-city resettlement 
shall be incorporated into the annual budget of the DHSUD and the implementing LGUs, subject 
to existing budgeting and auditing rules and regulations." 
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
(a) Informal Settler Families (ISFs) – refer to individuals or groups of people who reside in areas 
not designated for residential use, or who do not have legal tenure over the land they occupy, or 
who lack access to basic services and adequate housing.  
(b) People's Plan – refers to a community-driven plan for housing and urban development, 
formulated by the informal settler families in coordination with the implementing LGU, 
reflecting their needs, preferences, and proposed solutions for their resettlement. 
(c) On-site Resettlement – refers to the development or upgrading of housing and basic services 
within the existing informal settlement area.  
(d) In-city Resettlement – refers to the relocation of informal settler families to a new site within 
the same city or municipality where they are currently residing.  
(e) Near-city Resettlement – refers to the relocation of informal settler families to a new site in a 
city or municipality immediately adjacent to their current place of residence. 
(f) Off-city Resettlement – refers to the relocation of informal settler families to a new site in a 
city or municipality beyond the immediate adjacent areas of their current place of residence. 
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity 
of this Act, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), in 
coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the National 
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Housing and Urban Development 
Coordinating Council (HUDCC), and other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 


SECTION 6. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provisions not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive orders, 
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,