PASAY CITY, Philippines — The Senate passed a key legislative measure on third and final reading on Thursday, October 8, aimed at strengthening the government’s socialized housing program through improved land acquisition and development strategies.
With a unanimous vote of 17-0-0 during its plenary session, lawmakers approved Senate Bill No. 1992, joint legislation authored by Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Jinggoy Estrada.
The proposed law updates Republic Act No. 7279, also known as the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, to refine how land is identified and used for social housing.
Under the amended framework, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the National Mapping Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), and the Land Management Bureau (LMB) are tasked with pinpointing suitable parcels of land for housing and resettlement. These areas will serve both immediate and future needs of underprivileged and homeless urban residents.
The designated agencies must assess potential locations based on safety from natural hazards and disaster risks, access to basic services, proximity to employment and trade hubs, and the actual number of registered beneficiaries. Once identified, local government units (LGUs) must integrate these socialized housing sites into their respective Comprehensive Land Use Plans.
According to the bill’s authors, the measure directly resolves persistent bottlenecks in land availability to accelerate government-led housing projects for eligible families.
In addition to SBN 1992, the Senate approved three other housing-related bills during the same plenary session to broaden access to affordable shelter and provide financial relief:
- Senate Bill No. 2508 (Residential Emancipation for Calamity Survivors Act): Forgives outstanding housing liabilities—including principal amounts, unpaid amortizations, interest, and penalties—for qualified survivors of disasters. It also grants estate tax exemptions on housing units awarded through National Housing Authority (NHA) disaster recovery programs.
- Senate Bill No. 2507 (Affordable and Decent Rental Housing Incentives Act): Encourages private sector investment in low-cost rental properties by offering tax and regulatory incentives for constructing, rehabilitating, and operating affordable rental developments.
- Senate Bill No. 2503 (Rental Housing Subsidy Act): Formally institutionalizes a government-funded rental housing subsidy program to assist low-income households with temporary housing costs.