DECEMBER 30, 2025 — Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed Senate Bill No. 1002, a measure that could reshape the country’s housing landscape by granting urban poor families the right to own government-owned lots they have occupied for years.

Estrada argued that families already living in resettlement areas should not be pushed aside when the state disposes of land intended for socialized housing. 

“They should be first in line, not last. It is the dream of every Filipino family to own their own house and land. Why should we deny them this opportunity, especially since they have the ability to purchase what they have considered their home for a long time?" he said.

The bill seeks to prioritize actual occupants in acquiring land through negotiated purchase at affordable rates. If residents cannot meet the government’s valuation, only then will the property be opened to public bidding. 

To qualify, families must be recognized under the Urban Development and Housing Act, must have lived on the property for at least a decade, and must comply with rules on resale or transfer.

Estrada stressed that the measure aims to prevent long-standing injustices where poor families lose their homes to bidders with deeper pockets. 

“This measure aims to correct long-standing situations where poor families, despite living on the land for a decade or more, lose their homes because the property is sold to other buyers who can offer a higher price during bidding,” he said.

The proposal has sparked debate on whether such legislation could embolden more informal settlers to occupy state-owned land, anticipating eventual ownership. Supporters see it as a step toward social justice and dignity for the poor, while critics warn it may encourage dependency instead of self-reliance.

Beyond policy, the bill raises a broader question: should the government focus on granting ownership, or on empowering families to earn and build homes through sustainable livelihood programs? The answer could shape urban development for generations.

Estrada insists the measure balances transparency in land disposition with the state’s duty to uplift the homeless. But the public remains divided — between compassion and caution.

(Image: Senate of the Philippines | Facebook)