Bill seeking inventory of idle gov’t lands OK’d

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure that will prescribe the mechanisms to facilitate the disposition of idle government-owned lands for socialized housing.

The Idle Government-Owned Lands Disposition Act of 2013 was sponsored by the House committee on housing and urban development chaired by Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez.

Under the measure, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is mandated to conduct an inventory of all idle lands owned by the national government which have not been used for the purpose for which they have been reserved for 10 years.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government, through the local government units (LGUs), shall conduct an inventory of all idle government-owned lands in the municipality level and should furnish the HUDCC a copy of its inventory for monitoring purposes.

The National Housing Authority (NHA), in coordination with the Land Management Bureau, shall identify and set aside inventories of idle lands owned by the national government that are suitable for socialized housing.

The LGUs, with the assistance from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, shall then identify and set aside inventoried idle government lands owned by them that are suitable for socialized housing.

At least 10 percent of government-owned lands not set aside for socialized housing be sold, alienated and encumbered for development purposes, or at least 10 percent of the proceeds of the sale thereof be segregated or allocated for socialized housing projects.

Low-salaried employees of the government agency that sold, alienated or otherwise encumbered such idle land shall be given priority as beneficiaries of the socialized housing projects to be developed.

The LGUs shall cause the undertaking of the development of socialized housing projects, while the NHA shall undertake the provision of socialized housing for the underprivileged and homeless citizens for lands or funds set aside for socialized housing.

The NHA and the concerned LGU are authorized to enter into joint venture agreements with private developers or non-governmental organizations engaged in housing production, provided that the cost of housing units shall exclude the cost of land if constructed within the affected area or locality.

The HUDCC and the DENR are directed to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations, including the mechanisms and procedures on the conduct of inventory and identification of lands suitable for socialized housing.