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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2470

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative GIRLIE E. VELOSO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The State bears the constitutional duty to protect the life, dignity, and welfare of every Filipino,
especially in times of crisis. The 1987 Constitution enshrines social justice and the right to adequate
housing as essential pillars of national development. Article XIII, Section 9 mandates the State to
“undertake, in cooperation with the private sector, 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.” Meanwhile, Article II, Section 11 affirms that “the State
values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights,” placing the
vulnerable at the center of policy design and state responsibility.

Structural fire in residential areas is among the most frequent, devastating, and perennial disaster in
the Philippines, particularly in densely populated and informal settlements. Each year, tens of
thousands of fire incidents lead to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of individuals and
families, often with little or no capacity for self-recovery. While national and local government units
routinely respond with emergency assistance, the prevailing policy and institutional environment
lacks an integrated framework to ensure the fall cycle of recovery. Survivors frequently encounter
gaps in shelter, disruption of livelihood, loss of legal documents, psychosocial distress, and delayed
ot insufficient support for reintegration and rebuilding. These gaps have persisted despite the
regularity and pervasive nature of fire incidents across the country.

‘The current legal landscape does not provide a codified, time-bound, and rights-based system of
recovery for fire victims. Assistance mechanisms remain largely discretionary, agency-led, and
variable in scope and quality. In the absence of a dedicated statutory mandate, post-fire recovery
efforts often lack continuity, are hampered by limited coordination, and fall short of ensuring
minimum standards for protection, housing, and rehabilitation. This fragmented approach impairs


not only the welfare of affected communities, but also the effectiveness and efficiency of public
institutions tasked to respond.

‘This bill secks to address these systemic gaps by institutionalizing a comprehensive national
framework for post-fire recovery. It establishes the State’s obligation to provide coordinated,
predictable, and adequately funded recovery interventions, spanning emergency shelter, health and
psychosocial services, documentation support, livelihood restoration, transitional housing, and
eventual relocation or rebuilding. The measure delineates clear duties for national agencies, local
government units, and other duty-bearers; introduces accountability mechanisms; and ensures that
vulnerable populations receive assistance tailored to their specific risks and needs.

Beyond the immediate humanitarian imperative, the enactment of this measure reduces the
economic and social costs of prolonged displacement; strengthens disaster resilience by minimizing
the recurrence of informal, high-risk, and fire-prone settlements; and improves the integrity and
interoperability of government responses through structured mandates, data-sharing, and funding
channels. It likewise protects public resources from duplication, inefficiency, and ad hoc spending by
anchoring recovery programs on law and long-term policy coherence.

In sum, this measure transforms recurring fire disasters from isolated emergencies into matters of
sustained state response, guided by the Constitution, informed by evidence, and grounded in the
principles of equity, dignity, and the rule of law. Its enactment is a necessary step toward
institutionalizing justice for survivors and building safer, more resilient communities for all.

In view of the foregoing, support for the enactment of this measure is earnestly sought.

REP. GIRLIE &} VELOSO
Malasakit@Bayan|fian Partylist


dausen

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

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2470

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative GIRLIE E. VELOSO

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING LONG-TERM RECOVERY, REINTEGRATION,
AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES DISPLACED BY
FIRE

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 “Fire Victims Recovery Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
recognize structural fire 2s recurring urban disaster that disproportionately affects poor and
vulnerable communities, resulting in chronic displacement, social instability, and loss of livelihood
and dignity. In line with the constitutional mandate to uphold the tight to adequate shelter, security,
and social protection, the State shall institutionalize post-fire recovery and reintegration as a
permanent and obligatory component of disaster governance.

‘Toward this end, the government shall ensure that affected individuals and families are not
only provided with immediate assistance during emergencies, but ate also supported through
transitional shelter, livelihood restoration, documentation recovery, and reintegration measures until
they ate able to resume dignified and sustainable living. ‘The provision of such recovery support shall
be a matter of right for the affected and a matter of duty for the State, not subject to discretion,
resource availability, or political will.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:


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(a) Fire-Displaced Individuals or Families refers to persons or households whose primary
residence, dwelling, or usual place of stay has been rendered uninhabitable or unsafe due
to a structural fire incident, regardless of ownership or legal status of occupancy.

(b) Fire Recovery Assistance refers to any form of government-provided support intended
to aid affected individuals and families in recovering from the effects of fire, including
but not limited to emergency shelter, financial assistance, housing support, livelihood
assistance, replacement of lost documents, psychosocial services, and reintegration
programs.

(© Recovery Period refers to the period beginning immediately after fire suppression and
extending until the affected individuals or families are able to achieve safe, stable, and
dignified living conditions.

(@ Evacuation Center refers to a permanent or designated facility, whether purpose-built ot
temporarily repurposed, that serves as a safe refuge for individuals or families displaced
by disasters, including fires. These centers must be located in areas identified as safe
based on official hazard mapping and shall comply with minimum standards of safety,
habitability, and dignity, including adequate sleeping space, water and sanitation, food
preparation, health services, gender-sensitive and child-friendly amenities.

(©) Permanent evacuation centers shall refer to those constructed in accordance with
Republic Act No. 12076 (Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act) and maintained by the local
government unit.

() Temporary evacuation centers shall refer to those designated by the LGU provided they
meet the minimum criteria set by the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), and other relevant agencies.

(® Reintegration refers to the process by which fire-displaced individuals or families are
assisted in returning to normalcy, including restoration of housing, livelihoods, civil
documents, and access to basic services and community life.

(h) Lost or destroyed civil documents refers to government-issued documents such as birth
certificates, marriage certificates, school records, and identification cards that were
destroyed in the fire and are essential for access to services and entitlements.

@ Government Financial Assistance refers to any monetary aid provided by the national or
local government, whether sourced from calamity funds, assistance to individuals in crisis
situations (AICS), or other public funds, intended to support fire victims during the
recovery period.

SECTION 4. Scope and Coverage. — This Act shall apply to all fire incidents affecting
residential or mixed-use communities, including informal settlements, and shall mandate a
comprehensive, multi-agency response to ensure the full recovery and reintegration of affected
individuals and families.

SECTION 5. Covered Incidents and Areas. — This Act shall apply to all structural fire
incidents that cause total or partial damage to residential or mixed-use buildings, whether located in
formal communities or informal settlements. This also applies to all cities, mmunicipalities, and


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provinces within the national territory where fire incidents are recorded and validated by the BFP
and local disaster risk reduction and management offices.

SECTION 6. Beneficiaries and Eligibility. — The benefits and recovery assistance
under this Act shall be extended to individuals and families who meet either of the following criteria:

(@) Pre-Fire Indigency. Those who, prior to the occurrence of the fire incident, were
classified as indigent in accordance with the criteria set forth by the DSWD or the
applicable local poverty threshold.

(©) Post-Fire Financial Incapacity. Those who, while not previously classified as indigent,
have been rendered financially incapacitated as a direct and immediate consequence of
the fire incident, as determined by the City or Municipal Social Welfare and
Development Office (CSWDO/MSWDO), following a standardized assessment
protocol developed jointly by the DSWD and the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG).

Eligibility shall be subject to verification through a formal profiling process conducted by the
CSWDO or MSWDO in coordination with the Barangay concerned and relevant disaster response
offices. Only individuals and families officially recorded in the master list of affected persons
validated by the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) shall be
entitled to receive benefits under this Act.

SECTION 7. Damage Classification. — For purposes of determining eligibility and
appropriate assistance, affected dwellings shall be classified as follows:

(a) Totally damaged refers to dwellings that were entirely destroyed by fire, rendering them
uninhabitable.

() Partially damaged refers to dwellings with significant structural damage, requiring repair
but still partially usable or accessible.

(©) Slightly damaged refers to dwellings with minimal fire-related damage that do not
compromise habitability, but are also required to evacuate due to proximity to danger
zones, safety measures, or emergency removal operations.

SECTION 8. Residency Classification. — Assistance shall be granted per affected
household, whether consisting of a family unit or a single occupant. Residency status shall be
classified as follows:

(@) Owner — A household that legally or beneficially owns and occupies the affected
dwelling.

(b) Sharer — A household cohabiting with the owner or principal occupant without paying
rent.

(© Renter — A household that pays rent for exclusive use of the affected dwelling,


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@ Boarder ~ A household or individual occupying a portion of the affected dwelling on a
room or bedspace basis under a rental arrangement.

(© Caretaker or Occupant by Permission — A household or individual residing in the
dwelling with the express permission of the owner, without rent ot formal lease.

Owner households shall be considered owner beneficiaries. All others shall be considered
non-owner beneficiaries.

SECTION 9. Institutional Coverage. — This Act shall apply to and bind the following
government agencies and instrumentalities, each mandated to perform specific roles within their
respective jurisdictions:

(@) Local Government Units (LGUs) — Including barangays, cities/municipalities, and
provinces, as the primary frontline actors in disaster response, relief operations, and
initial verification of affected households. LGUs shall likewise assess the availability and
suitability of local land resources for post-fire resettlement;

(b) DSWD — Responsible for the provision of emergency assistance, validation and profiling
of affected households, and implementation of recovery interventions;

(© Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and National
Housing Authority (NHA) — Mandated to provide housing assistance, implement
resettlement programs, and undertake site development activities. ‘They may, when
necessary and practicable, acquire land through purchase, expropriation, or other lawful
means for the development of permanent relocation or socialized housing sites for
cligible beneficiaries;

@ Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - Tasked with the administration of
cash-for-work programs, emergency employment, and livelihood assistance for affected
workers and vulnerable sectors;

(© DILG ~ Shall ensure compliance by LGUs with the mandates under this Act, provide
capacity-building and coordination support, and monitor implementation through its
regional offices.

(® Other National Government Agencies — Including but not limited to the Department of
Education (DepEd), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and DOH, which shall render
support in the restoration of vital documents, continuity of education, legal assistance,
and delivery of health and psychosocial services, as may be warranted under this Act.

SECTION 10. Recovery Coverage. — The coverage of this Act shall extend to the entire
post-fire recovery process, including, but not limited to, the following phases and interventions:

(@ Immediate relief operations and displacement management, including the provision of
basic needs, evacuation center support, and protection measures;

(©) Verification, profiling, and classification of affected individuals and families, including
the assessment of housing damage and socio-economic impact;



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(© Provision of essential services, such as emergency food assistance, health and
psychosocial support, temporary shelter, and restoration or replacement of vital civil
documents;

@ Implementation of medium-to-long-term recovery measures, including access to
transitional housing, permanent resettlement, reintegration support, employment and
livelihood recovery programs, and community rehabilitation.

SECTION 11. Short-Term Post-Fire Recovery Support. — All fire-affected individuals
shall be entitled to immediate and coordinated relief from local and national government agencies.
‘This short-term support shall uphold the dignity, safety, and recovery of affected households, and
shall be guided by the principles of timeliness, faimess, and sufficiency.

SECTION 12. Provision of Evacuation Facilities. — In the aftermath of fire-related
displacement, LGUs, in coordination with the DSWD, shall ensure the immediate availability and
operational readiness of designated evacuation centers closest to the affected area, to enable rapid
and humane relocation of displaced individuals ot families.

Evacuation centers, whether permanent or temporary, must meet the minimum standards of
safety, habitability, and dignity, as set by the DSWD, the DOH, and other relevant agencies. These
standards shall include, at the minimum:

(@) Adequate sleeping space and privacy;

(b) Access to clean water and sanitation facilities;

(© Designated cooking or food distribution areas;

(@ Spaces for health services, and psychosocial support;

(© Security and protection measures, especially for women, children, persons with
disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

Permanent evacuation centers shall refer to those constructed in accordance with Republic
Act No. 12076 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, and maintained by the LGU as part of its disaster
preparedness infrastructure. Temporary evacuation centers may include repurposed structures such
as covered courts, schools, or multipurpose halls, Provided, That they are located as close as safely
possible to the affected area, situated within officially designated safe zones based on hazard
mapping, and compliant with the minimum operational standards prescribed by the DSWD and
other relevant agencies. In no case shall an evacuation center be used if it poses known risks to the
safety, health, or dignity of evacuees.

Evacuation centers for fire victims shall be made available for no less than thirty (30) days
from the date of displacement, extendable based on the recovery timeline and shelter readiness of
the affected houscholds.


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SECTION 13, Assessment. — Within twenty-four (24) hours from the onset of the fire
incident, the concerned LGUs, in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the
DSWD, and the concerned Barangay, shall conduct a swift, standardized, and compassionate
assessment of the affected households.

‘The primary purpose of this assessment is to ensure timely and appropriate relief by
accurately determining the level of damage and the specific needs of each household. Affected
families shall be classified as experiencing Total, Partial, or Slight damage, and further identified as
Owners or Non-owners of their residences.

Barangay officials shall assist in verifying houschold composition, indigency status, and
residence tenure, particularly for informal settlers or renters without formal documents.

‘The results shall directly inform the type, amount, and urgency of both cash and in-kind
assistance to be provided, ensuring that all victims are accounted for and classified accordingly in the
delivery of aid.

SECTION 14. Emergency Cash Assistance. — Within seventy-two (72) hours from the
onset of a fire incident, affected households shall receive emergency financial assistance sourced
from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) of the concerned
LGUs, in coordination with national government support through the DSWD, specifically under the
AICS or similar programs.

‘The minimum guaranteed assistance shall be stratified based on damage level and residency
type, and jointly supported by the barangay, city or municipality, provincial government, and
national government as follows:

Damage Level Residency Barangay City Province DSWD Total
Type or Municipality (Alcs) Minimum
Total Damage Owner 5,000.00 P15,000.00 15,000.00 P15,000.00 50,000.00
Non-Owner — P3,000.00 10,000.00 ‘10,000.00 P 10,000.00 P33,000.00
Partial Damage Owner 2,000.00 — P 6,000.00 6,000.00 P6,000.00 20,000.00
Non-Owner 1,000.00 P3,000.00 ‘3,000.00 5,000.00 12,000.00
Slight Damage All 1,000.00 P2,000.00 2,000.00 P5,000.00 ~—-P10,000

LGUs may provide assistance exceeding the minimum amounts specified herein, subject to
their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LDRRM) plans, budget
appropriations, and availability of funds. ‘The assistance from the national government, particularly
through the DSWD, shall be guaranteed upon submission of the required documentation and
compliance with applicable eligibility criteria.


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SECTION 15. In-Kind Relief Assistance. — Affected houscholds shall receive essential
in-kind relief support within twenty-four (24) to seventy-two (72) hours from the incident, led by the
CSWDO/MSWDO, in coordination with the Barangay and the Provincial Government, and with
augmentation from the DSWD through its Quick Response Fund (QRF), Disaster Response
Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC), and other prepositioned relief
mechanisms.

Ata minimum, each affected houschold shall receive food packs sufficient for seven (7) days,
hygiene kits, clean drinking water, basic medicines, clothing, and bedding materials. In-kind relief
shall be sourced primarily from local prepositioned supplies and DRRM funds, Provided, That
national government assistance shall be guaranteed upon proper request and validation in
accordance with existing DSWD protocols.

In-kind support shall be responsive to the specific needs of vulnerable groups, including
children, older persons, pregnant and lactating women, and persons with disabilities.

SECTION 16. Education Continuity Support. — Learners who are already enrolled and
affected by fire incidents shall be assisted to continue attending school without delay, stigma, or
added burden. Immediate support shall include the provision of essential school supplies and
uniforms assistance, which shall be the joint responsibility of:

(@) DepE4, through available resources and partnerships under its DRRM programs;
(b) LGUs, using their Special Education Fund (SEF), emergency aid, ot donor support; and
(©) DSWD, through the AICS or any applicable educational assistance.

‘The DepEd shall ensure that fire-affected learners are accommodated through
compassionate and flexible arrangements, including waived documentation, lenient attendance
policies, and mental health support. No learner shall be denied access to leaning due to lack of
materials, appropriate attire, or disaster-related circumstances.

SECTION 17. Hospitalization and Treatment for Burn Victims. — In cases where a
fire results in physical injuries, including burns and smoke inhalation, the DOH, in coordination with
the DSWD, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the concerned local
government unit (LGU), shall facilitate the provision of necessary medical treatment, hospitalization,
and financial support.

Injured individuals shall be:

(@ Referred to appropriate government health facilities for emergency treatment or
specialized care;

(b) Covered by applicable PhilHealth benefits and government medical assistance programs,
including those administered by Malasakit Centers, PCSO, or DSWD;


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(©) Assigned a caseworker or liaison officer to assist in accessing support and coordinating
referrals, when necessary.

Indigent patients shall not be denied treatment due to inability to pay. Documentation
requirements may be waived or deferred in accordance with existing emergency and humanitarian
protocols.

SECTION 18. Assistance in Case of Death Due to Fire. — In the event of a fire-related
death, the following forms of assistance shall be provided by the appropriate agencies:

(@ Affected houscholds shall receive funeral or burial assistance of at least ‘Ten Thousand
Pesos (P10,000.00) for each deceased person, separate from any other cash aid provided
under this Act. To avoid duplication, the following order of sourcing shall generally
apply, unless otherwise agreed by the agencies concerned:

1. Local government programs or LDRRMF, if immediately available;
2. DSWD’s AICS program;
3. Other relevant national government programs.

(b) If the deceased is listed as part of an indigent household upon assessment, the LGU shall
provide a one-time survivorship grant of at least ‘Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) for
each deceased person, in addition to other financial assistance provided under this Act.
The survivorship grant shall be sourced from the following, in this general order of
priority unless otherwise agreed by the agencies concerned:

1. LDRRMF, or Gender and Development (GAD) fund, where applicable;

2. National government transfers or realigaments authorized under the General
Appropriations Act (GAA);

3. Special local funds created by ordinance for emergency or indigent assistance.

(©) The Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) and the PSA shall expedite the issuance of death
certificates and related documents, free of charge to indigent claimants. The Public
Attomney’s Office (PAO) shall assist in preparing affidavits and other legal documents
necessary for the release of assistance or insurance claims.

@ LGUs, in partnership with the DSWD and DOH, shall offer psychosocial support to
grieving households, including trauma counseling, support groups, or referral to
community-based mental health services.

‘The survivorship grant and funeral assistance shall be released upon presentation of
reasonable proof of death and fire incident validation by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Local
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO), or LGU-designated authority.

Claimants shall not be required to navigate inter-agency arrangements. The LGU shall take

responsibility for backend coordination, documentation, and referral to the appropriate agency ot
program.

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SECTION 19. Medium-Term Support. — Fire-affected houscholds shall receive
continuing support to restore stability and enable recovery beyond the immediate aftermath.

SECTION 20. Emergency Employment and Cash-for-Work. — Within thirty (30) days
from the fire incident, LGUs, in partnership with the DOLE, shall implement emergency
employment and cash-for-work programs for affected individuals and houscholds. These may
include the Tulong Panghanapbubay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD)
program or other similar emergency livelihood initiatives.

‘These programs shall prioritize fire victims for tasks such as debris removal, site
rehabilitation, and other community restoration efforts. Compensation shall follow DOLE-
prescribed regional wage rates and minimum working conditions. Beneficiaries shall include
individuals whose homes or livelihoods were totally or partially destroyed, consistent with the
classifications under Section 4 of this Act.

SECTION 21. Livelihood Restoration Assistance. — Affected households, especially
those with totally or partially damaged homes, shall be eligible for livelihood restoration assistance
focused on testarting simple, day-to-day income sources such as sati-sari stores, food vending,
home-based work, or small repair services.

“This assistance may include starter kits, basic tools, permits (e.g,, for public market stalls),
and small capital grants. Support shall be provided through existing programs such as the DOLE.
Kabuhayan Program, Department of Trade and Idustry’s Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa
(PPG), and the DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), in coordination with the LGU.

SECTION 22. Mobile Document Restoration Services. — Within sixty (60) days from
the occurrence of a fire incident, the concerned LGUs, in coordination with the DSWD, the PSA,
LCROs, the PAO, and other relevant government agencies, shall organize and conduct at Jeast one
(1) multi-day, mobile, one-stop-shop documentation mission in or near the affected area.

These mobile missions shall provide assistance to affected individuals and households in the
recovery and reissuance of essential personal and legal documents lost due to the fire, which may
include:

(@) Civil registry documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates;
(0) Government-issued identification cards or clearances;

(© Land titles, housing documents, or certifications of lawful occupancy;

(@) Barangay-issued documents such as certificates of indigency or residency; and
(©) Other relevant records necessary to access public and private services.

‘The PAO shall provide free legal assistance, including the preparation and execution of
affidavits of loss or other legal instruments required for the reconstitution of lost records.


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Participation in such missions shall be voluntary and non-compulsory. No affected person
shall be required to report or submit documentation outside of these services. However, the LGU
shall ensure the public and timely announcement of such missions and shall provide reasonable
access, particularly to indigent, elderly, persons with disabilities PWDs), and other vulnerable groups
whose lack of documentation may impede access to assistance or services.

Unless otherwise rendered impossible by public safety concerns or force majeure, each
documentation mission shall be deployed within sixty (60) days from the fire incident and shall last
no fewer than two (2) consecutive days.

SECTION 23. Long-Term Housing Recovery and Security. — To ensure sustained
recovery and uphold the right to adequate housing, affected households, especially informal settler
families (ISFs), shall be provided long-term housing assistance and secure tenure options by the
government.

‘The DHSUD and the NHA shall lead the implementation of housing recovery programs, in
coordination with the LGU and concerned national agencies.

Long-term housing assistance shall be guided by the following hierarchy of preferred
interventions:

(@) On-site redevelopment of informal settlements
(b) Land acquisition of the blaze area

(©) Offsite resettlement within or nearby the locality
(@) Land acquisition in another location

(©) Enhanced shelter grant

‘The tenurial rights of eligible beneficiaries shall be secured, whether through stewardship
agreements, lease-to-own schemes, or other lawful modes of land tenure under DHSUD and NHA
frameworks. All housing interventions under this Section shall be community-based, rights-
informed, and consistent with national housing and disaster resilience plans.

SECTION 24. On-site Redevelopment of Informal Settlements. — Where the fire-
affected area is deemed suitable for habitation and not within danger zones, the DHSUD, the NHA,
and the local government unit (LGU) shall implement on-site redevelopment in accordance with
Republic Act No. 7279, as amended.

(a) Lot Allocation. Priority in lot allocation shall be given to validated structure owners,
subject to the condition that the recalculated average lot area per household meets the
minimum redevelopment standard of twenty-five (25) square meters ot as prescribed by
applicable local regulations. Where land area is insufficient, non-owner sharers shall be

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offered alternative shelter assistance, including but not limited to rental support, housing
vouchers, or off-site relocation.

(b) Shelter Grants. Financial assistance in the form of core housing ot construction materials
shall be granted to both structure owners and non-owners, including sharers and renters,
based on validated pre-fire occupancy. Minimum grant amounts shall be P30,000 for
totally damaged shelters and 10,000 for partially damaged shelters. Such grants may be
drawn from the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) ot its successor
programs. The LGU shall assist in validating claims, facilitating distribution, and
resolving competing claims in coordination with barangays or recognized community
associations.

(©) Affordability. Monthly amortization or occupancy fees for redeveloped units shall be set
at socially affordable rates, subject to subsidy in accordance with applicable socialized
housing laws and policies.

SECTION 25. Land Acquisition of the Blaze Area. — Where on-site redevelopment is
not feasible due to private land ownership or unresolved tenure, the DHSUD, the NHA, and the
concerned local government unit (LGU) shall prioritize the acquisition of the affected property
through purchase, negotiated sale, or other lawful means, including expropriation as authorized
under Republic Act No. 7279, as amended.

If acquisition is successful, the site shall be subject to the on-site redevelopment protocols
provided in Section 7-A, ensuring compliance with minimum development standards and full
integration into the local shelter plan.

SECTION 26. Off-Site Resettlement Within or Nearby the Locality. — If on-site
redevelopment or land acquisition is not feasible, affected families may be relocated to off-site
resettlement areas located within the same locality or in nearby LGUs, Provided, That such sites are
accessible, habitable, and compliant with minimum standards for shelter, basic services, education,
and livelihood opportunities.

‘These sites may include fully or partially developed government housing projects or other
suitable properties identified by the LGU or concerned national agencies, in coordination with the
DHSUD.

If such resettlement sites have already been formally tuned over to the LGU through a deed
of donation or other lawful instrument, the LGU shall assume responsibility for site management,
beneficiary screening, and final allocation. If formal turnover has not yet occurred, the concerned
national agency (such as NHA or DHSUD) shall continue implementation in accordance with
existing project agreements until turnover is completed.

In cases where the resettlement site is located in a different LGU, relocation shall only
proceed upon the execution of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among the originating LGU,

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the receiving LGU, and the implementing agency, clearly delineating responsibilities for site
development, service delivery, and community integration.

SECTION 27. Land Acquisition in Another Location. — When on-site redevelopment,
property acquisition of the blaze site, and nearby resettlement are not feasible, the DHSUD, the
NHA, of the concerned LGU shall assess the availability of government-owned land, including
existing idle properties of the LGU, for the development of permanent housing for fire-affected
informal settler families.

If no suitable government-owned land is available, land may be acquired through purchase,
negotiated sale, or other lawful means, including expropriation, consistent with the provisions of
Republic Act No. 7279, as amended.

Priority shall be given to sites with access to transportation, education, livelihood, and
essential services to support the sustainable reintegration of beneficiaries. Resettlement planning
shall include consultations with affected families and the receiving LGU. A Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) shall be executed among the involved agencies and LGUs to define roles in land
development, housing construction, and long-term community support.

SECTION 28. Enhanced Shelter Grant as Final Recourse. — If all foregoing
interventions under Sections 7-A to 7-D are deemed infeasible due to legal, technical, or financial
constraints, the affected informal settler families shall be granted an enhanced shelter grant equal to
double the applicable amount under Section 7-A(), subject to validation and approval by the
DHSUD and the concerned LGU.

This enhanced grant shall be intended to support self-directed housing solutions, such as
rental relocation, incremental homebuilding, or negotiated occupancy elsewhere. The grant may be
drawn from the EHAP or its successor programs and shall remain subject to safeguards against
fraud, duplication, or misuse.

SECTION 29. Power and Utility. — To enable timely and self-managed housing
reconstruction by fire-affected families, all relocation or resettlement sites covered under this Act
shall be provided with access to electricity and essential utilities prior to or simultaneous with
occupancy or the commencement of construction.

The DHSUD, in coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE), concemed
distribution utilities, and the Local Government Unit (LGU), shall ensure the immediate and
affordable provision of power connectivity, whether temporary or permanent.

Power service shall be made available within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of the
fire incident, unless delayed by force majeure o certified safety risks. In such cases, interim off-grid

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solutions, including but not limited to solar home systems and microgrid installations, shall be
deployed within the same period to prevent undue delay in rebuilding efforts.

Distribution utilities shall, upon directive of the DOE and in coordination with the LGU and
DHSUD, immediately restore damaged infrastructure and reconnect fire-affected areas to the grid.
All restoration-related costs shall be bome by the utility provider or by the government, as may be
provided by law or funded through the LDRRMF or other applicable sources.

Affected households shall bear only the standard connection fees, which may be subsidized,
in fall or in part, by the LGU or relevant national agencies, subject to the availability of funds.

SECTION 30. Accountability and Penalties. — Non-compliance with this Act, including
undue delay by implementing agencies, LGUs, or utility service providers, as well as misuse, fraud, or
abuse of assistance by program beneficiaries, shall be subject to appropriate administrative sanctions,
recovery of misused funds, and referral to the proper oversight or regulatory agencies, in accordance
with due process and existing laws.

‘The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) shall detail enforcement protocols, grievance
mechanisms, and inter-agency coordination procedures to ensure accountability among duty-bearers
and service providers, in coordination with regulatory bodies such as the Energy Regulatory
Commission (ERC), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and Local Water Utilities
Administration (LWUA), as applicable. It shall also include safeguards to prevent duplication, fraud,
‘or misuse of assistance.

SECTION 31. Oversight, Monitoring, and Reporting. — To ensure effective
implementation of this Act, the following mechanisms shall be observed:

(@ All implementing agencies, including the DHSUD, the DSWD, the NHA, and concemed
LGUs, shall establish an internal monitoring framework and maintain updated records of
fire-affected communities, beneficiaries, interventions delivered, and funds utilized under
this Act.

(©) Each implementing agency shall prepare and submit an annual accomplishment report
detailing progress on mandates under this Act, including:

Number of fire-affected families assisted, disaggregated by type of intervention;

‘Timelines and status of emergency, transitional, and long-term shelter assistance;

Status of land acquisition, site development, and housing tumover;

Budget releases, disbursements, and remaining balances;

Beneficiary complaints or grievances received and resolved; and

Policy or implementation challenges encountered and recommended actions.

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‘The DHSUD shall act as lead consolidator of the accomplishment reports and transmit
the same to the Congressional Oversight Committee on Housing and Urban
Development and the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses.

(©) The consolidated annual report shall be submitted to the Office of the President and to
both Houses of Congress, through the appropriate Committees on Housing and Urban
Development and on Appropriations, not later than March 1 of each year.

SECTION 32. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the DHSUD, in coordination with the DSWD, the NHA, the DILG, and
other concerned agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for
the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 33. Appropriations. — ‘The amount necessary for the initial implementation of
this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the implementing agencies.
Thereafter, the amounts necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act.

The implementing agencies may also mobilize funds from other lawful sources, including
donations, grants, and partnerships, subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and
regulations.

SECTION 34. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 35. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section of this Act shall be
deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections ot provisions shall not be affected and shall

remain in force and in effect.

SECTION 36. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.

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