Manila: Sen. Francis Escudero is pushing for the passage of a bill that would institutionalize free housing through usufruct, allowing qualified low-income and homeless Filipinos to occupy and use government-owned land and housing without acquiring ownership.
According to Philippines News Agency, Escudero stated during his sponsorship of Senate Bill No. 2421, or the "Free Housing Through Usufruct Act," that the bill aims to grant Filipino families the right to occupy, use, and enjoy government land and improvements for residential purposes, while ownership remains with the State. Escudero, who chairs the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, emphasized that the measure targets underprivileged and homeless Filipinos who do not own real property and are not affiliated with professional squatters or squatting syndicates. The eligibility requirements for this program are outlined in Section 5 of the proposed law.
Under the measure, beneficiaries would be required to enter into written usufruct agreements, specifying their rights and obligations, including property maintenance and payment of utilities. The housing units would be strictly for residential use, with beneficiaries prohibited from selling, transferring, mortgaging, or leasing the units to others. Violators would lose their right to occupy the property and be barred from participating in government housing programs for 10 years.
The bill mandates the registration of usufruct agreements with the Registry of Deeds to document the arrangements and provide legal protection to beneficiaries. The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development would oversee implementation, while local government units would manage the properties and ensure beneficiaries have access to basic services. Escudero noted that the proposed system seeks to prevent abuse while granting qualified beneficiaries secure tenure. He highlighted that the concept of usufruct, which dates back to Roman civil law, remains relevant in addressing homelessness today.
Escudero led the measure's passage through committee deliberations before it was presented to the Senate plenary under Committee Report No. 79. The committee report consolidated earlier bills filed by Senators Lito Lapid and Mark Villar. The measure is now awaiting plenary debate and interpellation before proceeding to the period of amendments.
