, . 
'if" 
. ,;",.. 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
eFFtCE Of 1 .. 11 
:)1.. ,ill <\fI'r 
. 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
1 !} 
OCT -5 II' 3 :12 
SENi)JJ:: 
S.B. No. j:!" 5 5 
";f' 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 9 provides that: 
The 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 ofliving, and an improved quality oflife for all. 
.. 
According to Homeless International, a UK-based charitable organization, 40% of the 
Philippines' total population of 82 million lives in slums. These slum areas are characterized by 
limited access to basic services, no legal land tenure, and insecure shelter on the least appealing 
plots of land. 
A high percentage of Filipino slum dwellers live in areas where they are 
vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters such as along shorelines, around dumpsites, under 
bridges and on hillsides. 
According to the Asian Coalition for Housing Rights, without secure land, houses, and 
communities,' more and more of the poor's scanty resources go into just surviving, catching 
people up in a hopeless cycle of squatting and eviction which only further impoverishes the poor, 
and prevents them from developing themselves. 
This Bill seeks to provide assistance to the homeless, which includes informal settlers 
living in slum areas with no legal land tenure. * 
• This Bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress. 


1 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
10 
OCT -5 fi' J :12 
SENA.:ra 
S.B. No. ~t>55 
@, .~ 
, ".,,' 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO THE HOMELESS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
2 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Homeless Assistance Act of 
3 
2009." 
4 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
5 
promote the general welfare and uphold the dignity of every person by establishing an assistance 
6 
program for the homeless. 
7 
SECTION 3. Definitions. - In this Act, unless the context requires a different meaning, 
8 
the term-
9 
(a) 
"shelter" means any facility with sleeping accommodations and acceptable 
10 
sanitary facilities, the primary purpose of which to provide temporary shelter to the 
11 
homeless. This definition encompasses transitional housing and similar arrangements that 
12 
provide longer term accommodations, so long as the maximum length of stay does not 
13 
exceed twelve (12) months; 
14 
(b) 
"Department" means the Department of Social Welfare and Development; 
15 
(c) 
"homeless" means families or individuals who are economically disadvantaged 
16 
and have no access to shelter. This definition encompasses informal settlers living in slum 
17 
areas, with limited access to basic services, no legal land tenure, and insecure shelter; and 
18 
(d) 
"Secretary" means the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development. 
, 
19 
SECTION 4. Administration. - It is the duty and responsibility of the Department to 
20 
initiate and administer a pilot program for the homeless. The Department shall with its own 
1 


1 
personnel and facilities: 
2 
(a) 
Conduct a nationwide assessment of the homeless situation. Such survey must 
3 
include the following: numbers, ages, gender, the nature and extent of the problems relating to 
4 
homelessness, the immediate and long term needs of the homeless; 
5 
(b) 
Survey existing programs that provide to the homeless population; 
6 
(c) 
Establish criteria for eligibility to services under this Act, which criteria should 
7 
include consideration of: 
8 
(1) 
individuals who because of personal, domestic, andlor financial problems are 
9 
forced to move out of their place of residence; 
10 
(2) 
elderly and disabled adults who are not wanted by their families; 
11 
(3) 
persons who temporarily reside with friends or families; and 
12 
(4) 
families with children. 
13 
(d) 
Formulate plans and policies with other departments, agencies, and bureaus of 
14 
the government for job training and job placement for the homeless in order to enable them to 
15 
develop and maintain their potential skills and abilities; 
16 
(e) 
Cooperate with civic, businesses, and community organizations or groups 
, 
17 
which provide or sponsor programs and services beneficial to the homeless; 
18 
(t)' 
Keep the President, Congress, local government officials, and the general public 
19 
informed on all major developments and achievements in programs and services for the 
20 
homeless; and 
21 
(g) 
Apply and receive grants or other forms of assistance for the homeless. 
22 
SECTION 5. Eligible Activities. - Appropriations under this Act shall be used for: 
23 
24 
(a) 
(b) 
Contracting shelter for the homeless; 
Renovation or conversion of government-owned buildings for use as shelters 
25 
for the homeless; and 
. 26 
(c) 
Essential services to the homeless, including, but not limited to, servICes 
27 
concerned with employment, physical health, mental health, substance abuse, education, or 
28 
food. 
2 


1 
2 
3 
SECTION 6. Ineligible Activities. - Appropriations under this Act shall not be used for: 
(a) 
(b) 
Acquisition or construction of shelters for the homeless; 
Renovation, rehabilitation, or converting buildings owned by religious 
4 
organizations or by private entities. 
5 
SECTION 7. Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary shall issue the necessary rules and 
6 
regulations to carry out the objectives of this Act. 
7 
SECTION 8. Authorization of Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, 
8 
there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year. 
9 
The Homeless Assistance pilot program shall be established within one (1) year after the 
10 
effectivity of this Act. 
11 
SECTION 9. Reportorial Requirement. - Within two (2) years after the establishment of 
12 
the Homeless Assistance pilot program, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the 
13 
costs and means to implement the provisions of this Act. Thereafter, the Secretary shall submit 
14 
an aunual report to Congress. 
15 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
16 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
17 
valid and subsisting. 
18 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
19 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
20 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
21 
SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
22 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Ijab 
3