CHIZ-LED PANEL MAINTAINS ZERO-BACKLOG RECORD, CLEARS 67 BILLS

THE Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement headed by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has maintained its zero-backlog record after acting on all 67 bills and resolutions referred to the panel since he assumed the committee chairmanship in September last year.

At a public hearing on Tuesday (Nov. 10), the committee tackled legislation aimed at expanding access to affordable housing, improving socialized housing delivery, protecting informal settler families, promoting sustainable housing solutions, and strengthening housing assistance for employees of state universities and colleges.

Among the measures discussed were proposals establishing a Solar Home Systems Financing Program for social housing beneficiaries; improving the delivery of socialized housing programs; creating a sustainable housing program for state university and college personnel; protecting the rights and welfare of informal settler families through local housing boards; and a Senate resolution seeking an inquiry into the living conditions of families occupying underutilized and idle government lands.

The committee also took up three additional housing measures authored by Escudero: Senate Bill 2569, which seeks to exempt common areas in residential condominium and subdivision projects from real property tax; SB 2570, which proposes an interest subsidy program for economic and socialized housing loans; and SB 2571, which seeks to strengthen and streamline the implementation of the Balanced Housing Development Program under the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992.

“Wala pong naiwan o naipong panukala sa ating komite mula nang tayo’y maupo bilang chairman. Siniguro natin na lahat ng ipinasa sa Urban Planning committee ay may agarang aksyon,” Escudero said.

The veteran legislator said the committee remains committed to advancing measures that will improve the country’s housing and urban development framework, particularly for low-income families, informal settlers, and communities vulnerable to displacement.

“Ang mabilis na pag-usad ng mga panukala ay patunay ng ating layunin na palakasin ang mga programang pabahay at urban development sa bansa,” he said.

The panel has consistently kept its docket current, ensuring that every measure referred to it undergoes timely deliberation and appropriate committee action.

Several key measures have already passed the Senate, among them the Condominium Redevelopment Act under Senate Bill 2420, which has been approved on third reading and whose bicameral conference committee report has been ratified by the upper chamber. The measure updates redevelopment rules for aging condominium projects and consolidates several reform proposals into a single legislative framework.

Four other measures have likewise been approved on third reading: the bill enhancing government capacity to implement socialized housing projects through the rationalization of land acquisition and utilization (SB 1992); the measure exempting underprivileged and homeless appellants from posting supersedeas bonds (SB 70); the proposal promoting adequate and decent housing through usufruct arrangements (SB 2421); and the Residential Emancipation Act for calamity survivors (SB 2508).

Other bills have been approved on second reading, including measures establishing a Rental Housing Subsidy Program and an Affordable and Decent Rental Housing Incentives Act. These proposals seek to strengthen government support for affordable housing and expand available housing options for Filipino families.

The Bicolano senator has also sponsored other priority housing measures that are awaiting further action on the Senate floor.

Meanwhile, several proposals remain under review by technical working groups and subcommittees, including the regulation of dormitories and boarding houses, and the creation of local housing boards.

Escudero said the committee will continue prioritizing measures that address housing affordability, security of tenure, and sustainable urban development.

“Our goal is simple: to ensure that housing legislation moves forward and that government policies respond to the needs of Filipino families seeking safe, decent, and affordable homes,” he said.