SENATE GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO 4 KEY HOUSING-RELATED MEASURES FILED BY CHIZ-LED PANEL

THE Senate has approved four major housing-related measures aimed at expanding access to affordable housing, providing relief to calamity survivors, and updating the decades-old condominium law crafted by the Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement chaired by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

Chief among the legislative package was the ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on Senate Bill No. 2420, which reconciled the disagreeing provisions with House Bill No. 2286.

The measure modernizes the Republic Act 4726 of 1966 to make it more responsive to the realities of contemporary urban living. 

Before Congress adjourned on Thursday, Escudero, who authored and shepherded the bill, presented to the plenary the key updates on condominium maintenance, repair, reconstruction, and redevelopment.

“The bicam also provided two options for liquidation: selling the entire condominium project or declaring liquidating dividends to shareholders. In the case of the former, the unit owner shall be entitled to an advance on their share of the sales proceeds based on the agreed valuation and payment terms to be deducted from their final payout,” he explained. 

The veteran legislator noted that Metro Manila alone has more than 775,000 condominium units, many of which are aging and in need of redevelopment. The bill, he said, ensures unit owners are protected while allowing old properties to “find new life.” 

Alongside the ratification, the Senate approved on third reading three other measures under Escudero’s committee. He thanked his colleagues for their swift action, pointing out that three of the four bills were only brought to the plenary under his sponsorship two weeks ago.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating mga kasamahan sa Senado sa mabilis na pagtalakay at pagpasa ng mga panukalang ito,” he said, stressing that the measures respond directly to urgent needs in housing and disaster recovery.

“Talaga namang malaking tulong ang mga ito para sa ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan ng mas maayos na tirahan at ginhawa matapos ang mga sakuna at kalamidad,” he added. 

Among them is SB 1992, which enhances government capacity to implement socialized housing projects by rationalizing land acquisition and utilization, amending the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 (RA 7279). 

On housing relief, SB 2503 institutionalizes a Rental Housing Subsidy Program for displaced families and low‑income households, while SB 2507 promotes access to affordable rental housing through incentives for the development, rehabilitation, and operation of qualified projects. 

The fourth measure, SB 2508, emancipates calamity survivors from financial burden by condoning outstanding housing obligations—including principal, amortizations, interest, and penalties—amounting to at least P9.5 billion. It also exempts awarded housing units under calamity programs from estate tax. 

Meanwhile, two bills principally authored by Escudero was passed on third reading, namely SB 2484, declaring the first Monday of August as National Line Workers Appreciation Day; and SB 2485, which mandates P300,000 in insurance coverage for line workers against death or disability, with employers required to shoulder premiums. 

“Kinikilala natin ang ambag ng ating mga line workers sa ating mga komunidad at ang pagbibigay sa kanila ng nararapat na proteksyon. Maraming salamat rin sa ating mga senador sa pagsuporta sa mga panukalang ito,” he said.