Senator Bam Aquino has filed two housing-related measures aimed at helping urban poor and low-income families secure relocation and improve access to affordable housing.
Ahead of meetings with urban poor groups at the Senate, Aquino filed Senate Bill No. 1861 and Senate Bill No. 1863, which establish an inclusive resettlement program for informal settler families and a housing loan condonation program for families struggling with delinquent socialized and low-cost housing loans.
SB No. 1861 prioritizes on-site, in-city, and near-city relocation to keep families close to jobs and livelihood opportunities, reserving off-city moves as a last resort.
“It institutionalizes a clear order of preference in resettlement, prioritizing on-site, in-city, and near-city options before off-city relocation, so families can remain close to jobs and opportunities,” Aquino said.
The bill strengthens the role of local government units (LGUs) in leading accountable resettlement programs and introduces a “People’s Plan” that allows affected families to participate in planning, ensures social preparation, livelihood support, and access to basic services, while reinforcing safeguards against forced evictions.
“By mandating adequate consultation, integrating livelihood support, clarifying inter-agency responsibilities, and reinforcing safeguards against forced eviction, the bill transforms existing principles into concrete, operational standards,” Aquino added.
SB No. 1863, or the Housing Loan Condonation Act, allows low-income families with delinquent housing loans under the National Housing Authority (NHA), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), and Philippine Guarantee Corporation (PGC) to restructure payments without fees or down payments.
It condones accumulated interest and penalties upon approval and provides flexible repayment options with incentives for timely payments.
“It forms part of a broader housing reform agenda to build more homes, protect families from displacement, and ensure that beneficiaries of government housing programs are not left behind by inflexible financing terms,” Aquino said.
He added that the measure gives struggling families realistic options to recover their housing loans, strengthens communities, and safeguards prior government investments in socialized housing.