The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses its full support for Senate Bill (SB) No. 1025 also known as “On-site, In-City or Near-city or Off-city Government Resettlement Program for Informal Settler,” and House Bill (HB) No. 00005, as these bills promote people’s right to adequate housing and an overall better standard of living.
SB 1025, filed by Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and HB 00005, filed by Representatives Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Yedda Marie Romualdez, Jude Acidre, and Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong, seek to strengthen the government’s housing programs for the Informal Settler Families (ISF). Both bills have guaranteed to follow a People’s Plan to consult and empower beneficiaries and provide a more sustainable housing initiative. This also ensures that housing occupants can access city resources, facilities, employment, and livelihood opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Commission also welcomes and recognises other counterparts of these bills:
- HB 00066 filed by Rep. Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez
- HB 00524 filed by Rep. Ron P. Salo
- HB 01707 filed by Rep. Ivan Howard A. Guintu
- HB 02343 filed by Rep. Joseph Stephen “Caraps” S. Paduano,
- HB 04823 filed by Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez
The Commission reaffirms that decent housing is a fundamental right of everyone. As enshrined in Article XIII, Section 9 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, “The State shall [make] a continuing program of urban land reform and housing which will make available at affordable cost, decent housing and basic services to underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban centers and resettlement areas.”
Moreover, the bills align with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) initiative, emphasising the importance of ensuring the rights and well-being of people affected by evictions and displacement.
In line with this, the Commission acknowledges the legislators who prompted this initiative. These bills promote not just the right to adequate housing, but also the right to non-discrimination, participation, and provisions for livelihood opportunities. The Commission calls on the collaboration of the Senate and House to expedite the passage of such bills to provide better living conditions to all Filipino people. ###