Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 4850)
It is known as the Charter of the Human Settlements Regulatory Commission.
The state policy is to implement an integrated program of land use control for the entire country to foster the growth and renewal of urban and rural communities, promote optimum land use, adequate shelter, and environmental protection.
It is a quasi-judicial body attached to the Ministry of Human Settlements with powers to regulate land use and human settlements.
They include promulgating zoning standards, reviewing and approving land use plans, enforcing land use policies, conducting public hearings, acting as an appellate body on planning decisions, and imposing administrative fines and orders, among others.
It consists of nine members: the Minister of Human Settlements (Chairman), four full-time Commissioners appointed by the President, and deputy ministers from Justice, National Economic & Development Authority, Local Government and Community Development, and Public Works.
Three must be lawyers, and one must have experience in planning, management, architecture or related fields, with at least five years of professional practice or employment in relevant offices.
The Commission may impose administrative fines not exceeding Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00), fines for contempt, and orders to cease or vacate non-compliant activities or structures.
Decisions may be appealed to the President of the Philippines whose decision is final, subject only to review by the Supreme Court on questions of law.
Violators may be fined up to Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) and/or imprisoned with prision correccional, with corporate officers held criminally liable for violations by their organizations.
Regulatory functions including real estate trade regulation, registration and licensing of subdivisions and condominiums, approval of bonds, suspension of licenses, approval of mortgages, granting permits for project alterations, regulation of lessor-lessee relationships, and deciding cases on real estate business practices.