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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House BILL NO. 11135

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR AN AFFORDABLE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM,
AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11201, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Having a home is one of the fundamental rights of human beings. However, it also
remains one of the most neglected rights of Filipinos. Considering the nation’s growing
population and increasing demand for affordable housing, the government has failed to address

this issue for so long. Most Filipinos, especially those in the marginalized sector, are left

without secure homes.

This measure seeks to amend Republic Act No. 11201 to provide an affordable public

housing program that directly addresses this crisis in the Philippines. Through the expansion
and improvement of government initiatives on housing, this measure aims to ensure that every
Filipino family will have access to a place that they can call their home. This will be a proactive
move by the government to provide adequate housing and contribute to building more resilient

communities.


In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

CRISPIN DIEGO “PING” D. REMULLA


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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 11 135

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR AN AFFORDABLE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM,
AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11201, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the “Affordable Public Housing Act”
SEC. 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 11201, otherwise known as the Department of
Human Settlements and Urban Development Act, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall, pursuant to Section 9, Article
XIII of the Constitution, ensure that underprivileged and homeless citizens, AND
ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM THE MOST VULNERABLE AND
MARGINALIZED GROUPS, HAVE EQUAL AND NON-DISCRIMINATORY
ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE PUBLIC HOUSING WITH A SECURITY OF
TENURE THAT IS PROGRAMMED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
GOVERNMENT, THEREBY ENSURING LEGAL PROTECTION
AGAINST FORCED EVICTIONS, HARASSMENT, AND OTHER THREATS,

AND FACILITATING THE AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES AND


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FACILITIES FOR BETTER HABITATION. AS SUCH, THE HOMELESS
SHALL BE ASSISTED WITH an adequate, safe, secure, habitable, sustainable,
resilient, and affordable home. The State shall, by law and for the common good,
undertake, in cooperation with the private sector, a continuing program of housing and
urban development which shall make available fataffordable eost;} decent housing and
basic services to underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban centers and

resettlement areas.

citizens In the implementation of the program, the State shall respect the rights of
small property owners.

THE STATE SHALL PROMOTE FURTHER UPLIFTMENT BY
STRENGTHENING AWARDEES IN THE RESETTLEMENT SITES WITH
THE ELEMENT OF SELF-DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING ACCESSIBILITY
TO EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, HEALTH CARE SERVICES,
SCHOOLS, AND OTHER NECESSARY SOCIAL FACILITIES, THAT MAY
ENHANCE THEIR CAPABILITY TO PROGRESS AND MAKE AN
UPWARD SOCIAL MOVEMENT PURSUING SUFFICIENT HUMAN
SETTLEMENT CONDITIONS OF THEIR CHOICE.

The State shall pursue the realization of a modern, humane, economically-viable, and
environmentally-sustainable society where the urbanization process manifests in towns
and cities being centers of productive economic activity and is led by market forces;
where urban areas have affordable housing, sustainable physical and social
infrastructure and services facilitated under a democratic and decentralized system of
governance; and where urban areas provide for opportunities for an improved quality

of life and the eradication of poverty.


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NONETHELESS, THE STATE SHALL CONSIDER A COUPLED SOLUTION
TO OBTAIN THE OBJECTIVE OF A DISPERSED URBAN NET AND A
MORE BALANCED URBAN-RURAL INTERDEPENDENCE.

‘The State shall ensure that poor dwellers in urban and rural areas shall not be evicted,
nor their dwelling demolish, except in accordance with the law.

In addition, the State shall encourage on-site development in the implementation of
housing programs and shall promote the creation of new settlements and development
of sustainable urban renewal programs while guaranteeing the preservation of
agricultural lands necessary for food security.

SEC. 3. Section 3, Subparagraph (c), of Republic Act No. 11201, is hereby amended

to read as follows:

Section. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms are defined

as follows:

“XXX XXX XXX”

(c) Housing refers to a multi-dimensional concept relating to the process of residing
and the object of dwelling whose main attributes are location relative to access to
livelihood, tenure arrangements, cost and physical structure, as well as their
environment, INCLUDING SAFE DRINKING WATER, ADEQUATE
SANITATION, AND ENERGY FOR COOKING, LIGHTING, AND FOOD
STORAGE. Housing is likewise a physical structure as well as a social structure,
functioning at different spatial scales from homes, neighborhoods, communities,
municipalities, cities, provinces, and regions. It is also a sector of the economy, an
important category of land. Used in both urban and rural areas, especially in cities, and

is an important factor in the overall dynamics of the urban system;


1 SEC. 4. Section 5, Part 1, Subparagraph (a), of Republic Act No. 11201, is hereby

2 amended to read as follows:

3 Section 5. Powers and Functions. — The Department shall exercise the following

4 powers and functions:

5 I. _ Policy Development, Coordination, Monitoring, and Evaluation

6 (a) Formulate national housing and urban development policies, strategies and

7 standards that are consistent with the Philippine Development Plan to

8 promote social and economic welfare, in coordination and in consultation

9 with national and local stakeholders, local government units (LGUs), and
10 other government agencies, INCLUDING A REVIEW OF PRESENT
1 HOUSING PROGRAM MECHANISMS IN RELATION TO
12 REALISTIC PROJECTIONS MOVING FORWARD TO ENSURE A
23 MORE SUSTAINABLE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL
14 HOUSING PROGRAM THAT WILL INCLUDE AFFORDABLE
15 PUBLIC HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS, AND ESPECIALLY
16 THOSE FROM THE MOST VULNERABLE AND MARGINALIZED
7 GROUPS, WITH A SECURITY OF TENURE THAT IS
18 PROGRAMMED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT;
19 SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Pursuant to Section 7, Subparagraph

20 (©) of Republic Act No. 11201, the Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and
21 Urban Development shall promulgate the rules and regulations and make other issuances
22 necessary to carry out the policies and objectives of this Act within one (1) year from its
23 effectivity.

24 SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. — Republic Act No. 11201 is accordingly amended. All

25 — other laws, presidential decrees and issuances, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts


thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. ~ If any part, section or provision of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. 8, Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,