NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
278
*’,*c
t iavi!
72 Jlil! P6;25
ma>' --
Introduced by SENATOR 3IN6GOY E3ERCITO ESTRADA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE RESETTLEMENT, AID AND REHABILITATION 
SERVICES FOR THE INFORMAL SETTLERS AFFECTED BY THE DEMOLITION 
OF HOUSES / DWELLINGS ALONG DANGER AREAS AS WELL AS THE 
VICTIMS OF DISASTERS AND CALAMITIES AND THOSE AFFECTED BY 
GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN URBAN AREAS AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Population growth and migration of Filipinos has contributed to the 
proliferation of illegal settlers in both public and private lands In urban areas all over 
the country.
According to Memorandum Circular No. 2020-05, series of 2020 of the 
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the "Local 
Shelter Plan (LSP) consolidated data as of December 2019 indicates that a total 
count of 3,683,020 informal settler families, which include homeless families, 
displaced households and those that need tenurial upgrading."
The demolition and mass eviction of informal settlers is usually met with 
opposition and violent behavior. It results in injuries and damages to property even 
death.


This bill seeks to protect the informal settlers as well as victims of disasters 
and calamities and those affected by government infrastructure projects. It aims to 
provide funds for the immediate relief of the displaced underprivileged families and 
homeless citizens and the establishment of resettlement centers, home sites or town 
sites under local and national housing programs or under the other socialized 
housing programs of other agencies.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
OY E3ERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of the in“
*22 JULII P6-.25
S. No.
SENATE
278
RHCElV-iC
Introduced by SENATOR 3INGGOY E3ERCITO ESTRADA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE RESETTLEMENT, AID AND REHABILITATION 
SERVICES FOR THE INFORMAL SETTLERS AFFECTED BY THE DEMOLITION 
OF HOUSES / DWELLINGS ALONG DANGER AREAS AS WELL AS THE 
VICTIMS OF DISASTERS AND CALAMITIES AND THOSE AFFECTED BY 
GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN URBAN AREAS AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
2 
to assist the underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban areas adversely affected
3 
by the demolition of houses / dwellings along danger areas such as esteros, garbage
4 
dumps, riverbanks, shorelines, waterways and other public places such as sidewalks,
5 
roads, parks and playgrounds as well as the victims of disasters and calamities and
6 
those affected by government infrastructure projects.
7 
Sec. 2. Statement of Objectives and Guidelines. - This Act is intended to help
8 
the underprivileged and homeless citizens who suffered damages to property and
9 
injury to persons resulting from the demolition in or the clearing up of the
10 
aforementioned danger areas as well as the victims of disasters and calamities and
11 
those affected by government infrastructure projects in urban areas. It aims to
12 
provide funds for the immediate relief of the displaced underprivileged families and
13 
homeless citizens and the establishment of resettlement centers, home sites or


1 
town sites under local and national housing programs or under the other socialized
2 
housing programs of other agencies.
3 
Sec. 3. Guidelines in the Allocation of Funds. - Government funds and
4 
resources shall be spent effectively in consonance with the principle of providing the
5 
greatest good for the greatest number. Accordingly, the following guidelines shall
6 
be observed in allocating the funds made available for the implementation of this
7 
Act:
8 
(a) Funds shall be allocated exclusively for the underprivileged and homeless
9 
citizens affected by the demolition of their houses/ dwellings in urban
10 
areas;
11 
(b) Funds shall be used exclusively for relocation or resettlement sites under
12 
local and national 
housing programs or under the other socialized
13 
housing programs of other agencies;
14 
(c) Funds shall be used, when necessary, for the construction of basic
15 
services and facilities such as schools, health centers as well as roads or
16 
access to places of employment and livelihood which should be sufficient
17 
to meet the basic needs of the affected families; and,
18 
(d) In no case shall any portion of the sum herein appropriated be used in
19 
payment of any subsisting obligation contracted before the passage of
20 
this Act.
21 
Sec. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
22 
this Act shall be included the annual General Appropriations Act until such time
23 
that the total requirements for this purpose shall have been fully implemented.
24 
Sec. 5. Determination of Beneficiaries and Projects. - City mayors, in
25 
consultation with national and local government agencies, shall assist In the
26 
resettlement of beneficiaries under local and national housing programs or under the
27 
other socialized housing programs of other agencies.
28 
The Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, in coordination with the
29 
Local government unit concerned, shall take the census of beneficiaries and cross-
30 
check the same with the census of the National Housing Authority (NHA).


1 
Sec. 6. Alpha Listing of Beneficiaries. - The Department of Human
2 
Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) in coordination with local government
3 
units, shall produce an alpha listing of the beneficiaries covered under this Act.
4 
Sec. 7. Rules and Regulations. - The DHSUD, in coordination with local
5 
government units, shall within thirty (30) days from the approval of this Act, issue
6 
the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
7 
Sec. 8. Penalty Clause. - Any person or persons who shall take advantage
8 
of the situation for undue personal and private gain by committing an act of
9 
profiteering in the purchase of lots or materials, or by committing an act of
10 
misrepresentation in the documentation, or by falsifying reports shall be imposed
11 
the penalty of not more than six (6) years of imprisonment or a fine of not less than
12 
Five thousand pesos (Php 5,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand
13 
pesos (Php 100,000.00). Any other illegal act that may be committed in relation
14 
thereto shall be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
15 
Sec. 
9. Separability Clause. - If any provisions of this Act shall be held
16 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain
17 
in full force and effect.
18 
Sec. 
10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, decree, rules and regulations which
19 
are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or
20 
repealed accordingly.
21 
Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
22 
its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,