Senator Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV has filed two housing-related measures that would benefit urban poor and low-income families to address relocation issues and ensure their welfare.

Senator Bam Aquino (Senate PRIB photo)

In particular, Aquino filed Senate Bills No. 1861 and 1863, ahead of his upcoming meeting with urban poor organizations at the Senate. The measures aim to establishing an inclusive resettlement program for informal settler families and creating a loan condonation program for low-income families with delinquent socialized and low-cost housing loans.

SB No. 1861 prioritizes the establishment of on-site, in-city and near-city relocation programs to keep families close to their jobs and other livelihood opportunities with off-city resettlement as a last resort.

“It institutionalizes a clear order of preference in resettlement, prioritizing on-site, in-city, and near-city options before off-city relocation, so families can remain close to jobs and opportunities,” Aquino said.

Moreover, the bill also helps strengthen the role of local government units (LGUs) in leading accountable and coordinated resettlement programs.

The bill also seeks the establishment of a People’s Plan, allowing affected families to actively participate in planning, ensures social preparation, livelihood support, and access to basic services, and incorporates safeguards against forced evictions.

“By mandating adequate consultation, integrating livelihood support, clarifying inter-agency responsibilities, and reinforcing safeguards against forced eviction, the bill transforms existing principles into concrete, operational standards,” the senator said.

“Inclusive cities are built by ensuring that the workers who power our economies, the families who sustain our communities, and the vulnerable sectors who face the greatest risks are not left behind,” he added.

Senate Bill No. 1863, or the Housing Loan Condonation Act allows low-income families with delinquent socialized and low-cost housing loans to restructure payments without processing fees or down payments, condone accumulated interest and penalties upon approval, and provide a more affordable interest rate, flexible repayment terms, and incentives for timely payments.

It covers loans under the National Housing Authority (NHA), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), and Philippine Guarantee Corporation (PGC).

SB No. 1863, Aquino said, gives struggling families realistic options to recover their housing loans to strengthen communities, prevents unnecessary displacement and safeguards prior government investments in socalized housing.

“It forms part of a broader housing reform agenda to build more homes, protect families from displacement, and ensure that beneficiaries of government housing programs are not left behind by inflexible financing terms,” the lawmaker stressed.