The measure, known as the Idle Government-Owned Lands Disposition Act of 2013, will be transmitted to the Senate for further deliberation.
Under the proposed law, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) is mandated to coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to conduct an inventory of all idle government-owned lands that have not been used in the last 10 years for the purpose for which they have been reserved.
The National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Land Management Bureau (LMB) will be required to identify and set aside inventories of these idle government lands—the lists of which will be provided by the HUDCC—that are suitable for socialized housing.
Local government units (LGUs) shall then identify and set aside inventoried idle government lands owned by the local government that are suitable for socialized housing, with the assistance from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).
According to the bill, at least 10 percent of government-owned lands not set aside for socialized housing must be sold, alienated and encumbered for development purposes. As an alternative, at least 10 percent of the proceeds of the sale of government-owned idle lands should be allocated to socialized housing projects.
Employees from the government agency that facilitated the sale of idle land and who have low wages shall be given first priority as beneficiaries of the socialized housing projects to be developed by the LGUs.
The measure exempts all lands acquired comprising assets of government financial institutions and government-owned or controlled corporations engaged in shelter financing.
Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez, chair of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, was the primary sponsor of the bill. Some of its authors include Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing and Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo. — Xianne Arcangel/BM, GMA News
