PH Senate approves free housing program for qualified Filipino families on gov't land

The Senate has approved on third and final reading a measure that would establish a free housing program allowing qualified Filipino families to live on government-owned land without transferring ownership of the property.

Senate Bill No. 2421, or the Adequate and Decent Housing Through Usufruct Act, was passed during Monday’s plenary session on Sept. 14, 2026.

The measure would allow beneficiaries to occupy and use government property for residential purposes through usufruct agreements. Under a usufruct arrangement, a person is allowed to use and benefit from another party’s property while being required to preserve the property’s form and substance.

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, sponsor of the bill, said the proposed system would allow the government to provide decent housing to families while keeping ownership of the land.

To strengthen the beneficiaries’ legal protection and ensure transparency, usufruct agreements would be registered with the Registry of Deeds, under the measure.

The program would be limited to underprivileged Filipinos who do not own a house or other real property. Professional squatters and members of squatting syndicates would be disqualified.

Housing units provided under the program could only be used as residences. Beneficiaries would be prohibited from selling, transferring, mortgaging, or leasing their units to other individuals.

Violators would lose their right to occupy the property and would also be barred from participating in any government housing program for 10 years.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) would oversee the implementation and monitoring of the program, while local government units (LGUs) would manage the properties and ensure beneficiaries receive access to basic services.

-Paraluman News