Marilyn Cahatol

Shanties stand along the Pasig River in the Baseco Compound in Manila on August 10, 2023. The Philippine economy posted lower growth at 4.3 percent in the second quarter amid higher inflation and interest rates, according to the Philippine Statistics Office. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Baseco Compound Shanties

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175481096796720230810-cbd-skyline-shanties-MD-6.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Shanties stand along the Pasig River in the Baseco Compound in Manila on August 10, 2023. The Philippine economy posted lower growth at 4.3 percent in the second quarter amid higher inflation and interest rates, according to the Philippine Statistics Office. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Shanties stand along the Pasig River in the Baseco Compound in Manila on August 10, 2023. The Philippine economy posted lower growth at 4.3 percent in the second quarter amid higher inflation and interest rates, according to the Philippine Statistics Office. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — A House bill has been filed seeking to institutionalize a policy for on-site, in-city or near-city resettlement for communities evicted from their homes.</p><p>Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima, with urban poor groups, filed the House Bill (HB) No. 3359, which seeks to amend the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, “to legislate the People’s Plan as a framework to promote inclusivity and genuine community participation in local housing programs.”</p><p>De Lima said the Philippines cannot content itself with “an inefficient resettlement policy where our countrymen are forced to return to urban areas, thus subjecting them once again to unsafe, unstable, and undignified housing conditions.”</p><p>De Lima underscored that the bill allows informal settler families (ISF) to initiate and propose their own resettlement plans when eviction and demolition happen.</p><p>She said the bill proposes that eviction and demolition should be done only when absolutely necessary based on studies and risk assessments. Evictions and demolitions must also meet mandatory requirements.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/27/court-issues-tro-on-demolition-in-mayhaligue-tondo-1743"><strong>Court halts demolition in Mayhaligue, Tondo; residents to celebrate &#x27;fiesta&#x27;</strong></a></div><p>H.B. 3359 is a product of a series of consultations and dialogues with the urban poor sector to ensure resettlement does not sacrifice their livelihood, education and access to basic services, the lawmaker said.</p><p>“Laban ito hindi lang para sa bahay kundi para sa makatarungan at may dignidad na buhay,” De Lima said.</p><p>(This fight is not only for life, but for a just and dignified one.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/1/demolition-begins-in-navotas-after-river-wall-collapse-displaces-families-2019"><strong>Demolition begins in Navotas after river wall collapse displaces families</strong></a></div><p>De Lima highlighted that despite the three decades since the enactment of the Urban Development and Housing Act, “limited progress has been made in providing decent and affordable housing for the homeless and underprivileged.”</p><p>A <a href="https://ideas-global.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Chapter-16.pdf">study </a>showed that in-city resettlement is more effective compared to off-city resettlement, in which the affected families’ education, livelihood, social networks and psychological well-being are affected due to the distance from their previous community.</p><p>In-city resettlement is the relocation within the same city or municipality where the affected families reside, while off-city resettlement is the relocation to areas far from their initial home.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/8/families-affected-by-railway-project-to-be-relocated-in-same-area-pnr-1149"><strong>Families affected by railway project to be relocated in same area: PNR</strong></a></div><p>Advocate coalition Urban Poor Action Committee supported the bill, which, it said, “affirms the importance of deepening democratic participation, giving underprivileged and homeless sectors a stronger voice in shaping policies that affect their lives and communities.”</p><p>De Lima urged government to be compassionate in crafting policies for the urban poor.</p><p>“Maging makatao at mapagmalasakit dapat ang gobyerno sa mga polisiya para sa ating urban poor sector, para sa mga kababayan nating matagal nang napagkakaitan ng maayos at de-kalidad na serbisyo,” she said.</p><p>(The government should show care and compassion in making policies for the urban poor sector, for the Filipinos long denied of proper and quality services.)</p><p>The House of Representatives approved a similar bill in 2022 but its Senate counterpart remained pending at the committee level. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_N9Tn2UMR8g?si=ROvLjgYan7HnO_hg" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>ML Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima, with urban poor groups, filed the House Bill (HB) No. 3359, which seeks to amend the Republic Act No. 7279, “to legislate the People’s Plan as a framework to promote inclusivity and genuine community participation in local housing programs.”</p>

ML Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima, with urban poor groups, filed the House Bill (HB) No. 3359, which seeks to amend the Republic Act No. 7279, “to legislate the People’s Plan as a framework to promote inclusivity and genuine community participation in local housing programs.”

House bill seeks to prioritize on-site, in-city, and near-city resettlement

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

House bill seeks to prioritize on-site, in-city, and near-city resettlement

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 10, 2025 04:04 PM PHT

Read More:

Resettlement

Leila De Lima

ML Party-list

ABSnews

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.