Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No. 533

Introduced by Hon. Rodolfo G. Biazon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The housing needs of the underprivileged and homeless in our country is a problem that
continuously paints a stark picture for our country’s economic managers, and housing czars.

While the 1987 Constitution provides a mandate that seeks to address this ever-growing
problem, each administration, faced with the perennial problem of budget deficit that in tum
threatens the provision and administration of social benefits to its citizens, is beset with the
dilemma of how to allocate its meager resources for this purpose, especially for those who need it
most.

Article 13, Section 9 partly reads, “The State shall, by law, and for the common good,
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 in urban centers and resettlement areas.”

The State, in its desire to pursue the development of our country, has embarked on an
unprecedented program of developing certain areas for priority development. This involves the
identification of certain areas as “growth centers” for industrial, commercial and similar forms of
development. The program includes the alienation of government-owned lands in favor of private
individuals and entities for purposes of developing such lands into industrial or commercial centers.

Our country is fast running out of available residential land for its huge and ever-increasing
population. The government has to pursue a rational land use plan that will entail the rational
allocation of the government's scarce land resources to include housing for the underprivileged.

This bill seeks to prescribe the mechanisms to facilitate the disposition of government-
owned lands for socialized housing. Moreover, it also mandates that at least ten percent (10%) of
the proceeds of the sale of government-owned lands to private individuals or entities shall be set
aside for the development of socialized housing projects within, adjacent to the affected areas or in
nearby areas within the city or municipality concemed.

In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly urged.

a BAZON

Representative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 53 3

Introduced by Hon. Rodolfo G. Biazon

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING THE MECHANISMS TO FACILITATE THE DISPOSITION OF
GOVERNMENT-OWNED LANDS FOR SOCIALIZED HOUSING

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 and cited as the “Idle
Government-Owned Lands Disposition Act of 2013”.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure
availability of sufficient lands for socialized housing purposes and to improve the capability
of local government units (LGUs) in undertaking housing and urban development programs
and projects.

Sec. 3. Inventory, Identification and Setting Aside of Lands for Socialized Housing. —
To carry out the provisions of this Act, an inventory of all government-owned lands shall be
conducted. Toward this end:

(a) All LGUs are hereby directed to identify and set aside all local government-owned
lands suitable for socialized housing; and

(b) The National Housing Authority (NHA), in coordination with the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is likewise directed to identify
lands owned by the national government or any of its subdivisions,
instrumentalities or agencies, including government-owned or controlled
corporations and their subsidiaries which have not been used for the purpose for
which they have been reserved for the past ten (10) years to be set aside for
socialized housing: Provided, That such lands have been declared open for
disposition whether through an act of Congress or other related laws.

Except for local government-owned lands, all lands owned by the national
government or any of its subdivisions, instrumentalities or agencies, including
government-owned or -controlled corporations and their subsidiaries identified for
socialized housing, shall immediately be transferred to the NHA to be set aside for
the purpose, subject to the approval of the President of the Philippines.


Sec. 4. Sale, Alienation or Encumbrance of Other Government-Owned Lands Not Set
Aside for Socialized Housing. - Whenever a government-owned land not set aside for
socialized housing, whether owned by the LGUs or the national government or any of its
subdivisions, instrumentalities or agencies, including government-owned or controlled
corporations, is sold, alienated or otherwise encumbered in favor of private individuals or
entities for its development into industrial, commercial or other similar estates, there shall be
set aside, as may be necessary, at least ten percent (10%) of the proceeds thereof for the
development of socialized housing projects within, adjacent to the affected areas or in nearby
areas within the city or municipality in accordance with the local development land-use plan.

Sec. 5. Conveyance of Segregated Land or Fund. ~ For a land owned by the national
government or any of its subdivisions, instrumentalities or agencies, including government
owned or -controlled corporations and their subsidiaries, the segregated land or fund shall be
conveyed at no cost to the NHA which shall be directly responsible for the development of
socialized housing projects: Provided, however, That for a land owned by an LGU, the
segregated land or fund shall be retained by the LGU concerned to be utilized exclusively for
its socialized housing projects.

Sec. 6. Implementation of Socialized Housing Projects. — For purposes of
implementing socialized housing projects on lands set aside for socialized housing and of
utilizing the funds set aside from the sale, alienation and encumbrance of other lands not set
aside for socialized housing:

(a) The LGU concemed shall undertake the development of socialized housing
projects for lands or funds set aside for socialized housing pursuant to Sections
3(a) and 4, and the second paragraph of Section 5 of this Act; and

(b) The NHA shall undertake the provision of socialized housing for the
underprivileged and homeless citizens for such lands or funds set aside for
socialized housing pursuant to Sections 3(b) and 4, and the first paragraph of
Section 5 of this Act.

Toward this end, the NHA and the LGU concerned are hereby authorized to
enter into joint venture agreements or other similar arrangements with private
developers or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) engaged in housing
production: Provided, That the cost of housing unit, if constructed within the
affected area or locality pursuant to Section 4 hereof, shall exclude the cost of
land.

In both cases, the NHA and the LGU concerned shall coordinate with each
other in the development of socialized housing projects in the areas mentioned in
Section 4 of this Act.

Sec. 7. Incentives for Private Developers and NGOs. ~ To encourage private sector
and NGO participation in the socialized housing projects described in Section 6 hereof, the
incentives provided in Section 20, on Incentives for Private Sector Participating in Socialized
Housing, of Republic Act No. 7279, otherwise known as the “Urban Development and
Housing Act of 1992”, shall apply.


Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within six (6) months after the
effectivity of this Act, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Couneil (HUDCC)
and the DENR are hereby directed to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to
effectively implement the provisions of this Act. In drafting the implementing rules and
regulations, the National Urban Development and Housing Framework described in Republic
Act No. 7279 shall be taken into consideration.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid
for any reason, the remainder of this Act not affected thereby shall remain valid and effective.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of instruction,
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, modified, superseded or amended accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,