Characteristics and Challenges of These Communities
- These neighborhoods often lie on prime land but are characterized as slums or blighted areas lacking basic amenities.
- Environmental sanitation and hygiene are markedly deficient.
- Landowners are often motivated to evict resident families or relocate them within the estates due to high land value.
Government Policy Against Eviction
- Evictions without occupant consent are seen as unjust and risk violent confrontations.
- Government policy affirms that no Filipino should remain a squatter on land they have occupied for many years.
Existing Legal Framework and Programs
- Letter of Instructions Nos. 555, 557, and 686 established a nationwide Slum Improvement and Resettlement Program.
- This mandates agencies like the National Housing Authority and local governments to upgrade slums to humane settlements.
Establishment of the National BLISS Program
- The National BLISS Program is instituted for communities in landed estates to:
- Protect residents' rights over their homelots and provide ownership opportunities.
- Resolve land tenure issues enabling occupant families to own their homelots.
- Implement community development via Kilusang Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran.
- Upgrade communities consistent with the Slum Improvement and Resettlement Program.
- Develop nearby sites and services for resettlement if necessary.
- Foster self-reliant communities through participatory planning and self-help.
Restrictions on Eviction
- Owners are prohibited from evicting occupant families without their agreement and clearance from the National Housing Authority.
Local Government Responsibilities
- Local governments must identify, census, and prioritize tenant/farmer communities.
- They are to develop five-year programs for upgrading these communities and submit them to the National Housing Authority.
- Utilize local planning and development staff for implementation.
National Housing Authority’s Role
- Formulate a five-year rolling National BLISS Program aligned with the National Human Settlements Program.
- Provide funding, technical assistance, and supervision to local governments.
- Acquire land for the program by negotiation or expropriation under PD 1533, making it free and alienable for program use.
- Purchase public or foreclosed land if not optimally used, based on appraisal or foreclosure value.
Financial Provisions
- Financial assistance to local governments is repayable over 25 years in equal quarterly installments.
- Assistance is approved by the Ministry of Finance and guaranteed under PD 752.
- In case of loan default exceeding two quarters, deductions may be made from the local government’s internal revenue allotments.
Land Use and Resident Tenure
- Land and improvements are leased long-term (25 years) to bona fide residents.
- Residents have an option to purchase after 5 continuous years of occupancy.
- Upon purchase, all subsidies and grants must be repaid with interest.
- Revenue collections from leases or sales are shared proportionately between the National Housing Authority and the local government.
Funding and Financial Instruments
- The National Housing Authority will include additional financial needs in its corporate program and national appropriations.
- May issue housing bonds subject to presidential authorization under PD 757.
- Funding supplements existing programs authorized by earlier Letters of Instruction.
Interagency Coordination and Implementation
- Agencies named in LOI 555 and 686 are directed to assist in implementing the National BLISS Program.
- Provisions of LOIs 555, 557, and 686 apply when feasible.
Rulemaking Authority
- The Ministry of Human Settlements is empowered to promulgate implementing rules and regulations to effectively carry out the program.
This Letter of Instructions aims to secure land tenure, improve living conditions, and foster community development for tenant families residing on prime landed estates, ensuring equitable local and national government involvement.