NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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SENATE 
S. No.
OCD
INDEX
__________ Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.__________
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A FREE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR 
THAT PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11201, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The right to a home has got to be one of the most neglected rights of Filipinos. 
The pitiful Image of children dangerously playing patintero along the bustling streets 
of the metro is a sight we often see. From one shanty to the next, makeshift houses 
line the boulevards, with parents raising their children not with a roof above their 
heads, but with the streets as the place they cal! home.
Many innocent children born to poor families have no idea of what a safe and 
habitable home is like. Not only because they cannot afford to buy or build themselves 
one, but ultimately because the State has been remiss for far too long in its duty of 
providing homes to them. And so they have contented themselves with the hard 
pavement to serve as their beds, and the long healthy branches of trees as their 
shade.
Under the scorching heat of the summer sun, the tire melting streets are still 
what they call home. Even with the heavy downpour of rains, they do not mind the 
lack of roof above their heads - because they have no other choice but to make the 
streets their dwelling.
This is why many of them are so desperate to have a place they could call their 
home, brave the long lines of television game shows in the hopes of winning the keys 
to a decent house that is theirs.
This measure, filed by Sen. Emmanuel D. Pacquiao In the 18th Congress, seeks 
to assuage that.


For those who cannot afford to buy a decent and safe home because they earn 
only enough to have food to eat, or because of the tedious processes of securing home 
loans, the State must step up and come to their aid.
Tne proposed measure seeks to amend Republic Act 11201 or the Department 
of Human Settlements and Urban Development Act, in order for the poor and the 
marginalized are given equal and non-discriminatory access to free public housing. 
This would pave the way in institutionalizing reforms in the current set-up, that would 
ensure that the most vulnerable sectors are given adequate aid in their quest to fulfill 
their right to a decent, safe and habitable home which would give them not only a roof 
above their heads, but dignity in living.
In view of the foregoing, urgent passage of this measure is most earnestly 
sought.
RAMON BONG RE VILLA, JR.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No.
r', ’C
CO
BILLSL& INDEX
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLAa JR.
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A FREE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR 
THAT PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11201, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Karapatan Ang Pabahay
Act.
Sec. 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 11201, otherwise known as the 
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Act, is hereby amended 
to read as follows:
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State 
shall, pursuant to Section 9, Article XIII of the 
Constitution, ensure that underprivileged and 
homeless citizens, AND ESPECIALLY THOSE 
FROM THE MOST VULNERABLE AND 
MARGINALIZED GROUPS, HAVE EQUAL AND 
NON-DISCRIMINATORY ACCESS TO FREE 
PUBLIC HOUSING WITH A SECURITY OF 
TENURE THAT IS PROGRAMMED IN 
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT,
THEREBY ENSURING LEGAL PROTECTION 
AGAINST FORCED EVICTIONS, HARASSMENT


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AND OTHER THREATS, AND FACILITATING 
THE AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES AND 
FACILITIES FOR BETTER HABITATION. AS 
SUCH, THE HOMELESS SHALL BE ASSISTED 
WITH an adequate, safe, secure, habitable, 
sustainable, resilient and affordable home. The 
State shall, by law and for the common good, 
undertake, in cooperation with the private sector, a 
continuing program of housing and urban 
development which shall make available fat 
affordable cost,] decent housing and basic services 
to underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban 
centers and resettlement areas, pt—shall also
such - citizens.] In the implementation of the 
program, the State shall respect the rights of small 
property owners.
THE STATE SHALL PROMOTE FURTHER 
UPLIFTMENT BY STRENGTHENING 
AWARDEES IN THE RESETTLEMENT SITES 
WITH ELEMENTS OF SELF-DEVELOPMENT. 
INCLUDING 
ACCESSIBILITY TO
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, HEALTH 
CARE SERVICES, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER 
NECESSARY SOCIAL FACILITIES, THAT MAY 
ENHANCE THEIR CAPABILITY TO PROGRESS 
AND MAKE AN UPWARD SOCIAL MOVEMENT 
PURSUING SUFFICIENT HUMAN 
SETTLEMENT CONDITIONS OF THEIR 
CHOICE.


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The State shall pursue the realization of a modern,
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humane, economically-viable, and environmentally-
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sustainable society where the urbanization process
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is manifest in towns and cities being centers of
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productive economic activity and Is led by market
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forces; where urban areas have affordable housing,
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sustainable physical and social infrastructure and
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services facilitated under a democratic and
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decentralized system of governance; and where
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urban areas provide the opportunities for an
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improved quality of life and the eradication of
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poverty.
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NONETHELESS, THE STATE SHALL CONSIDER
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A COUPLED SOLUTION TO OBTAIN THE
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OBJECTIVE OF A DISPERSED URBAN NET
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AND A MORE BALANCED URBAN-RURAL
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INTERDEPENDENCE.
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The State shall ensure that poor dwellers in urban
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and rural areas shall not be evicted, nor their
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dwelling demolished, except in accordance with
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law.
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In addition, the State shall encourage on-site
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development in the implementation of housing
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programs and shall promote the creation of new
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settlements and development of sustainable urban
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renewal programs while guaranteeing the
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preservation of agricultural lands necessary for
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food security.
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Section 3. Section 3, Subparagraph (c), of Republic Act No. 11201, is hereby amended
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to read as follows:


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Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this
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Act, the following terms are defined as follows;
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"XXX XXX xxx"
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(c) Housing refers to a multi-dimensional
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concept relating to the process of residing and the
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objects of dwelling whose main attributes are
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location relative to access to livelihood, tenure
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arrangements, cost and physical structure, as well
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as their environment, INCLUDING SAFE
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DRINKING 
WATER, ADEQUATE
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SANITATION, AND ENERGY FOR COOKING,
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LIGHTING, AND FOOD STORAGE. Housing is
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likewise a physical structure as well as a social
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structure, functioning at different spatial scales
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from homes, neighborhoods, communities,
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municipalities, cities, provinces, and regions. It is
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also a sector of the economy, an important
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category of land. Use in both urban and rural
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areas, especially in cities, and is an important
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factor in the overall dynamics of the urban
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system;
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Section 4. Section 5, Part I, Subparagraph (a), of Republic Act No; 11201, is
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hereby amended 4 to read as follows;
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Section 5. Powers and Functions. - The
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Department shall exercise the following powers
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and functions;
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I. Policy Development, Coordination,
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Monitoring and Evaluation
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(a) Formulate national housing and urban
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development policies, strategies and standards


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that are consistent with the Philippine
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Development Plan to promote social and
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economic welfare, in coordination and in
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consultation with national and local
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stakeholders, local government units (LGUs),
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and other government agencies, INCLUDING A
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REVIEW OF PRESENT HOUSING PROGRAM
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MECHANISMS IN RELATION TO
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REALISTIC PROJECTIONS MOVING
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FORWARD TO ENSURE A MORE
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SUSTAINABLE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
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NATIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM THAT
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WILL INCLUDE FREE PUBLIC HOUSING
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FOR THE HOMELESS, AND ESPECIALLY
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THOSE FROM THE MOST VULNERABLE AND
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MARGINALIZED GROUPS, WITH A
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SECURITY OF TENURE THAT IS
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PROGRAMMED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
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THE GOVERNMENT;
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Section. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations, Pursuant to Section 7,
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Subparagraph (c) of Republic Act No. 11201, the Secretary of the Department of
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Human Settlements and Urban Development shall promulgate the rules and
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regulations and make other issuances necessary to cany out the policies and objectives
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of this Act within one (I) year from its effectivity.
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Section. 6. Repealing Clause. Republic Act No. 11201 is accordingly amended.
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All other laws, presidential decrees and issuances, executive orders, rules and
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regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
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repealed or modified accordingly.
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Section 7, Separability Clause. If, for any reason or reasons, any part or
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provision of this Act shall be held to be unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or


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provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
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effect.
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Section 8. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. The publication shall
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not be later than seven (7) days after the approval hereof
Approved,