BAM AQUINO FILES TWIN HOUSING MEASURES FOR URBAN POOR, LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

SENATOR Bam Aquino has filed two housing-elated measures aimed at establishing an inclusive resettlement program for informal settler families (ISFs) and creating a loan condonation program for low-income families with delinquent socialized and low-cost housing loans.

Aquino submitted Senate Bills No. 1861 and 1863 ahead of his meeting with urban poor organizations at the Senate, where he committed to finding ways to address their relocation issues and to ensure that their welfare is fully and adequately protected.

The bills were inspired by the successful housing initiatives of late Jesse Robredo during his time as Mayor of Naga City and later as Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Senate Bill No. 1861 prioritizes the establishment of on-site, in-city, and near-city relocation programs to keep families close to their jobs and other livelihood opportunities, with off-city resettlement 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, adding that the measure also helps strengthen the role of local government units in leading accountable and coordinated resettlement programs.

Through its People’s Plan provision, the measure allows affected families to actively participate in planning, ensures social preparation, livelihood support, and access to basic services, and incorporates 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 pointed out.

“Inclusive cities are built by ensuring that the workers who power our economies, the families who sustain our communities, and the vulnerable sectors who face the greatest risks are not left behind,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senate Bill No. 1863, or the Housing Loan Condonation Act, allows low-income families with delinquent socialized and low-cost housing loans to restructure payments without processing fees or down payments, condone accumulated interest and penalties upon approval, and provide a more affordable interest rate, flexible repayment terms, and incentives for timely payments.

The measure covers loans under the National Housing Authority (NHA), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), and Philippine Guarantee Corporation (PGC).

“By giving struggling families a realistic path to recover their housing loans, this measure strengthens communities, prevents unnecessary displacement, and safeguards prior government investments in socialized housing,” Aquino said.

“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,” he added.