Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSEB|LLNo.7984
Introduced by Representative lvan Howard A. Guintu
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The geographical location of the Philippines along the typhoon belt makes it prone natural
disasters.  According  to  the  Philippine  Atmospheric,  Geographical  and  Astronomical  Services
Administration  (PAGASA),  an  average  20  tropical  cyclones  enter  the  Philippine  Area  of
Responsibility  (PAR)  per year.  And because  we  are  also  located  in the  Pacific  Ring  of Fire,
earthquakes and volea'ni'c  eruptions are also frequent. Due to  frequency and- intensity of these
disasters, infrastructure and housing settlements are often at risk of damages.
Aside from this,  some housing resettlements are not suitable  for habitation because of
inadequate  water and  electric  supply,  poor drainage  system,  and  lack of government  facilities
within the area of these housing resettlements.
This measure seeks to establish a Resettlement Rehal)ilitation Fund which shall be used for
the rehabilitation and upgrading of existing resettlement areas. The National Housing Authority
(NHA) shall undertake the program and provide the necessary standards and specifications needed
for the rehabilitation of each resettlement area.


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


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HouSEBILLNo.   7984
Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu
AN ACT
TO REHABILITATE AND UPGRADE EXISTING RESETTLEMENT AREAS,
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFORE, AMHNDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 7835, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION I. Sfearf 7lirfle -This Act shall be known as the "Rehabilitation of Resettlement
Act of 2023 . "
SEC.  2. Dec/¢roft.oH  a/Po/I.c|r.  -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.
SEC. 3. De/7ni./fo# a/ rcrmsL - As used in this Act:
(a) "Resettlement Areas" are those which were used to resettle informal settlers as of
December  31,  202]  coming  or  originating  from  other  local  government  units


undertaken by the National Housing Authority, with or without the assistance of
the originating or the receiving local government unit.
(b) National Housing Authority (NHA) created under P.D. 757 which serves as the
national govemment' s agency that handles resettlement of informal settlers.
(c)  Originating  local  government  unit  -  the  local  g.ovemment  where  the  informal
settlers came from or transferred from.
(d) Receiving local government unit - the local government unit where the informal
settlers were transfelTed from.
(e) Comprehensive and Integrated Shelter and Urban Development Financing Program
(CISPA) under Republic Act No. 7835.
SEC. 4. Section 4 (a) of Republic Act No. 7835 is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEC.   4.   National   Shelter   Program   Implementation.   -   Consistent   with   the
aforementioned policy and objectives, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating
Council (HUDCC) Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD),
through the respective agencies, shall intensify the implementation of the vital components
of the National Shelter Program requiring government budgetary assistance as follows :
(a) Resettlement Program.  This program  shall  involve  land  acquisition  and  site
development by the National Housing Authority to generate serviced homelots for
families  displaced  from  sites earmarked  for government infrastructure prQjects,
those occupying danger areas such as water ways, esteros, railroad tracks and those
qualified for relocation and resettlement assistance under Republic Act No. 7279.
To sustain this program, the NIIA shall engage in land banking activities to ensure
availability of land. This program shall involve the rehabilitation and upgrading of
resettlement areas undertaken by the National Housing Authority, as of December
3 I , 2021.
SHC.  S. Resettlement Rehabilitation  Fund.  - There ±s heieby  area:ted a. Resettlement
Rehabilitation Fund (RRF) to be administered and managed by the NHA.  A local government
where a resettlement area is located may apply for a financial grant from the RRF.
The financial grant shall be exclusively used for the rehabilitation of the resettlement areas
referred to under Section 4(a) of R.A. No. 7835 as amended by this Act.
The rehabilitation program for the resettlement area may include:
a.    Road widening and improvement, construction of drainage and flood control;
b.   Construction and installation of water and electrical systems;
c.   Installation or upgrading of internet connections;
d.   Installation of additional basic amenities or improvement of existing ones;
e.    Provision of additional basic services or improvement of existing ones
SEC. 6. ,4pp/i.cofI.on /or FI.#a#ci.a/ GrflH£ - The application for financial grant from the
RRF  shall  be  filed with the NIIA which  shall  evaluate  and  determine  whether the  proposed
rehabilitation and upgrading of the particular resettlement area is necessary and j ustified. The NHA
shall,  if warranted,  recommend  approval  of the  application  with  the  Department  of Human


Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD). The DHSUD shall then issue an order to NI-IA to
release the financial grant to the LGU concerned.
The National Housing Authority (NHA) shall undertake the rehabilitation of existing
resettlement areas, provide the necessary specifications and standards for the rehabilitation of
each resettlement area, and issue the terms and conditions on the release of the financial grant.
SEC. 7. .4ppropri.¢tr.o#s. - The RRF shall have a yearly allocation of One Billion Pesos
(Php 1,000,000,000.00) a year for frve years starting 2023. Thereafter, such amount necessary for
the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SHC. 8. Implementing R ules and Regulations. The NIIA, Department of the lITter.lou iLnd
Local Government (DILG) and the DIISUD shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.
SHC. 9. Scp¢"bz./rty C7oiisc.  - If for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, parts of provisions of this Act that are not affected shall continue to be
in full force and effect.
SEC.   10.   Repe¢/I.#g   C7¢uscL   -   All   laws,   executive   orders,   presidential   decrees,
implementing rules and regulations  inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.
SEC.  11. Ejjorecrl.tirty. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,