Socialized Housing in the Philippines: Issues and Solutions

Safe and adequate housing is a basic human right. Like all human rights,
however, housing security for the majority of our people has been difficult to achieve.
The presentation focuses on the current situation of housing development and issues.
The presentation takes us to have a closer look in Republic Act. (R.A.) No. 7279, the
Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992. This law has a lot of flaws which a lot
of problems in housing arises.

By clarifying the role of the private sector in the urban development and
housing program, the private sector is the secondary and subsidiary player in this field.
The state is clearly the one that must care for and provide decent housing to the
underprivileged masses. The only role of the private sector is cooperation, which
should not give rise to a liability on their part to produce a socialized housing.

Moreover, solving the housing backlog of over 5 million units is the

government’s primary objective. The housing agencies should be reminded that their
primary task is to address the problem in housing backlog. The presentation, clearly
showed that the section 20 of R.A 7279 does not grant incentives to the private sector.
The housing agencies have no clear implementing rules and regulations regarding this
section. Furthermore, our government has a role that the socialize housing and
resettlement areas in cooperation with private sectors to provide basic services and
facilities like potable water, power and electricity and an adequate power distribution
system, sewerage facilities and an efficient and adequate solid waste disposal system,
and also an access to primary roads and transportation facilities.

The presentation also shows that lawmakers should redefine the term “Idle
Lands” and also clarify the compliance procedure for the landowners. The article IV,
section 11 of R.A. 7279 should also be eliminated because it will only result in a higher
potential for graft and corruption.

R.A. 7279 is a commendable piece of legislative work because of its concept

and objectives. It is a noble idea to help the underprivileged filipinos. It should be
revised because of its implementing rules and regulations are not clearly stated; thus,
it lacks strength as a law.

This housing crisis is part of the reason why thousands of our workers have
to spend up to three hours a day on the road to and from their homes and workplaces.
Such crisis demands the full attention and effort of our leaders.