Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, chair of the Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, has sponsored Senate Bill No. 2503, a measure meant to institutionalize a rental housing subsidy program for displaced families.
In his sponsorship speech, Escudero underscored the urgent need to provide transitional shelter assistance to millions of Filipinos who lose their homes due to eviction, disasters, or infrastructure projects.
“Ang bahay na pinag-ipunan nang ilang taon ay maaaring mawala sa isang iglap. At ang muling pagtatayo nito ay maaaring abutin din ng ilang taon,” Escudero said, framing the bill as a lifeline for vulnerable households.
“Ito ang pasanin ng milyun-milyong pamilyang Pilipino na nawawalan ng tahanan. Ang panukalang ito ay para sa kanila,” he added.
The proposed Rental Housing Subsidy Act seeks to provide temporary rental assistance to families in critical housing situations while they await permanent housing or resettlement.
“The objective is simple: if we cannot immediately provide a family with a permanent home, we should not leave them without a place to live while they wait,” the veteran legislator emphasized.
Under the measure, priority will be given to families living in danger areas, on lands needed for public infrastructure, or in sites unsuitable for human habitation. The subsidy amount will be based on prevailing rental rates, the housing needs of the family, and their financial capacity, provided that it will not exceed the actual rent.
According to Escudero, the bill allows subsidies to be delivered either through direct rental assistance paid to lessors or through rental vouchers for use in public rental housing. He also emphasized that the program is designed to bridge the gap until permanent housing solutions are available.
The subsidy may be granted for an initial period of up to three years, renewable annually as long as the family remains eligible and has not yet secured permanent housing or resettlement to ensure continuity of support for families rebuilding their lives, Escudero said.
“Dahil hindi humihinto ang buhay kapag nawalan ng tahanan ang isang pamilya. Habang sila ay bumabangon, sinisiguro ng panukalang ito na mayroon silang ligtas na matitirhan,” the senator concluded.