Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3193

HOUSE B

introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 9, Article II of the Constitution provides that “[t}he State shall promote a just
and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and
free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote
full employment. a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all

Furthermore, Section 9, Article XIII mandates the State to undertake ~a continuing
program of urban land reform and housing which will make available at affordable cost
decent housing and basic services to underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban centers
and resettlements areas.”

In view of these constitutional provisions, Republic Act No. (RA) 7279 or the Urban
Development and Housing Act of 1992 was enacted. Section 21 of RA 7279 guarantees
access to basic services in socialized housing or resettlement arcas. This includes water.
electricity, sewerage facilities and waste disposal, and access to roads and transportation.

Despite the guarantee of access to these basic services, enjoyment of these are not
ensured due to financial and economic constraints faced by the poor and underprivileged
housing beneficiaries. Having been relocated. it will take time for these beneficiaries to look
for a stable job or livelihood. Their savings. if any. will most likely be used to cover food
expenses and the furnishing of their home, Consequently, they have limited financial capacity
to pay for the initial expenses to cover water and electricity bills. Thus, despite access to
water and electricity. poor and underprivileged housing beneficiaries are at risk of
disconncetion and require further government assistance to ease their transfer to their new
homes.

Therefore. this proposed legislative measure secks to provide subsidies 10 cover

expenses related to water and electric utilities such as pipes and wiring installation, purchase


of basic fixtures like faucets, outlets and light bulbs. The subsidy also includes initial bills
payment for at least three months for beneficiary households who have no employed
members, or who have an aggregate monthly income equal to or less than the applicable
minimum wage.

In view of the foregoing. the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

 GUINTU
Representayé, Pinuno Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3 193°

Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7279, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “URBAN
DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING ACT OF 1992”, BY INSTITUTIONALIZING A
SUBSIDY PROGRAM FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO WATER AND ELECTRIC
UTILITIES AND INITIAL MONTHLY BILLS TO QUALIFIED BENEFICIARY
HOUSEHOLDS

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

SECTION 1. Section 21 of Republic Act No. 7279, otherwise known as the “Urban
Development and Housing Act of 1992”, is hereby amended to read as follows:

SEC. 21. Basic Services. — Socialized housing or resettlement areas shall be
provided by the local government unit or the National Housing Authority in
cooperation with the private developers and concerned agencies with the following
basic services and facilities:

(a) Potable water:

(b) Power and e ¥y and an adequate power distribution system;

(c) Sewerage facilities and an efficient and adequate solid waste disposal system:

and
(d) Access to primary roads and transportation facilities.

The provisions of other basic services and facilities such as health, education,
tions, security, recreation, relief and welfare shall be planned and shall be
given priority for implementation by the local government unit and concerned
agencies in cooperation with the private sector and the beneficiaries themselves.

The local government unit. in coordination with the concerned national
agencigs, shall ensure that these basic services are provided at the most cost-efficient
rates, and shall set a mechanism to coordinate operationally the thrusts, objectives and



activities of other government agencies concerned with providing basic services to
housing projects. AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
UNIT, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE RELEVANT NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS,
AND GOVERNMENT-OWNED AND -CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS,
SHALL PROVIDE SUBSIDIES TO COVER EXPENSES RELATED TO
WATER AND E RIC UTILITIES SUCH AS PIPES AND WIRING
INSTALLATION, PURCHASE OF BASIC FIXTURES LIKE FAUCE’
OUTLETS AND LIGHT BULBS, ETC. AS WELL AS INITIAL BILLS
PAYMENT FOR AT LEAST THREE (3) MONTHS, FOR BENEFICIARY
HOUSEHOLDS WHO HAVE NO EMPLOYED MEMBERS, OR WHO HAVE
AN AGGREGATE MONTHLY INCOME EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN TI
APPLICABLE MINIMUM WAGE,

, executive orders,
tent with the

SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential deci
mations, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which are incon:
ions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 3. Separability Clause. ~ \f any provision or part of thi
thereof to any person or circumstance. is held unconstitutional or invali
this Act shall not be affected thereby.

Act, or the application
the remainder of

SEC. 4. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
ation in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

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