Question & AnswerQ&A (BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 220)
The Government policy is to promote and encourage the development of economic and socialized housing projects, primarily by the private sector, to make available adequate housing units for average and low-income earners in urban and rural areas.
Economic and socialized housing refers to housing units affordable to average and low-income earners, which is defined as costing thirty percent (30%) of the gross family income, and includes government-initiated sites and services development and construction of such housing projects in depressed areas.
The Ministry of Human Settlements is authorized to establish and promulgate different levels of standards and technical requirements for economic and socialized housing projects.
The standards can differ from those provided under Presidential Decrees Numbered 957 (Subdivision and Condominium Buyers' Protective Decree), 1216 (Defining Open Space in Residential Subdivision), 1096 (National Building Code), and 1185 (Fire Code).
The Ministry must consult the Ministry of Public Works and Highways, the Integrated National Police, other appropriate government units and instrumentalities, and private associations.
They must cover environmental ecology, hygiene and cleanliness, physical, cultural and spiritual development, and public safety.
Yes, the standards may vary in each region, province, or city depending on the availability of indigenous materials for building construction and other relevant factors.
The standards must be established only after a public hearing and must be published in two newspapers of general circulation once a week for two consecutive weeks.
They take effect thirty days after the last publication.
Yes, it applies to economic and socialized housing projects and units in both urban and rural areas.