Published November 30, 2018, 2:58 PM
By Ben Rosario

A bill proposing to convert idle government lands as socialized housing sites has been approved on second reading in the House of Representatives.

Getting unanimous approval during a recent plenary session was House Bill No. 8553 or the “Idle Government-Owned Lands Dispostion Act,” a consolidated legislative proposal authored by Reps. Gus Tambunting (PDP-Laban, Parañaque City),RozzanoRufinoBiazon (PDP-Laban, Muntinlupa City), Eric Singson (PDP-Laban, Ilocos Sur), Winston Castelo (PDP-Laban, Quezon City), and Alfredo “Albee” Benitez (PDP-Laban, Negros Occidental).

Benitez, chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, said third and final reading approval of the measure is expected before Congress goes on Christmas break this month.

Benitez said the measure seeks to ensure the availability of sufficient land for socialized housing and address the huge housing backlog being experienced in the country.

The senior administration lawmaker said the measure also proposes to improve the capability of local government units in undertaking urban development and housing programs.

Castelo, chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, has proposed that at least 10 percent of unused government-owned lands be segregated for socialized housing projects.

“Consistent with a rationalized land use plan, housing for the underprivileged could be set aside from government-owned lands for homeless Filipinos,” said Castelo.

Tambunting, who filed HB 228, explained that the consolidated measure directs the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and Department of Environment and Natural Resources to conduct an inventory of all idle government-owned lands.

These lands may be considered idle if undeveloped and unused for any other purpose.

According to Tambunting,the Department of the Interior and Local Government will conduct the inventory of the unused land owned by local government units (LGUs).

Once identified and reserved for socialized housing purposes, the National Housing Authority (NHA) and Land Management Bureau will identify which land are suitable for socialized housing.

The NHA and LGUs are authorized to enter into joint venture agreements with private developers and non-governmental organizations to implement the socialized housing program.

Exempted from inventory are lands acquired by government financial institutions and government-owned and -controlled corporations engaged in shelter financing. Lands these agencies hold in trust will not be covered by the legislative proposal.