Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan is seeking changes to the country’s housing policy that would keep informal settler families closer to their jobs, schools and communities instead of relocating them far from their sources of livelihood.
Pangilinan is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 2505, which seeks to amend the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 or Republic Act No. 7279 by establishing an on-site, in-city, near-city or off-city local government resettlement program based on a People’s Plan.
In his co-sponsorship speech, Pangilinan said the proposed reforms should build on the housing approach pioneered by the late Jesse Robredo when he was mayor of Naga City and later secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
“Noong secretary ng DILG si Jesse Robredo, kahanga-hanga ang ginawa niya sa urban housing shortage,” Pangilinan said.
He cited Robredo’s implementation of on-site and in-city housing projects with informal settlers and partner nongovernment organizations.
“Kasama mismo ang mga informal settlers, at ilang partner-NGOs, nagkaroon ng onsite, in-city housing project. Sa proyektong ito, hindi na inilipat sa malayo ang mga naninirahan sa mga delikadong lugar tulad ng tabi ng riles ng tren, tabing-ilog, at tambakan ng basura,” he said.
Pangilinan recalled that Robredo signed a department order approving P50 billion in funding over five years for the project.
“Dahil dito, libo-libong informal settler ang nakatira na sa disenteng mga bahay ngayon,” Pangilinan said.
Senate Bill No. 2505 seeks to institutionalize what Pangilinan described as Robredo’s approach of involving informal settlers in planning their relocation and housing.
The bill proposes a new Section 23-A of the Urban Development and Housing Act that would require the creation of a People’s Plan within six months to one year after receipt of a notice for a proposed resettlement or relocation.
The implementing local government unit or project proponent agency would work with civil society organizations, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), National Anti-Poverty Commission, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, the concerned local social welfare and development office and other government agencies in preparing the plan.
The People’s Plan would include a site development plan covering community health, sanitation and security, as well as nonphysical interventions such as housing cooperatives and livelihood programs.
It would also provide a system for allocating socialized housing units and a relocation and resettlement action plan (RRAP).
The RRAP would have to be prepared in consultation with affected informal settlers, taking into account their housing needs, sources of livelihood and other relevant circumstances.
The measure would prioritize in-city resettlement before near-city relocation, with off-city resettlement considered only when near-city options are not feasible under the RRAP.
“Off-city resettlement shall only be resorted to when near-city resettlement is not feasible, as determined in accordance with the RRAP, and shall be subject to adequate and responsive consultation prior to relocation,” the bill states.
Pangilinan said the proposed policy also seeks to address the growing effects of climate change on informal settler families by ensuring that relocation sites are safe, secure and climate-resilient.
He said housing programs should consider not only the physical structure but also residents’ access to employment, education, health services and their existing social networks.
“Ito ang solusyon. At may proof of concept na, kailangan na lang i-scale up,” Pangilinan said.
“Safe, affordable housing near jobs, schools, health services, and social networks is essential. And that is the promise of this bill,” he said.
Photo courtesy of GMA Network
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