Section 2Sec./Art. 2

Declaration of Policy. - The State shall, pursuant to Section 9, Article XIII of the Constitution, ensure that underprivileged and homeless citizens have access to an adequate, safe, secure, habitable, sustainable, resilient and affordable home.The State shall, by law and for the common good, undertake, in cooperation with the private sector, a continuing program of housing and urban development which shall make available at affordable cost, decent housing and basic services to underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban centers and resettlement areas. It shall also promote adequate employment opportunities to such citizens. In the implementation of the program, the State shall respect the rights of small property owners.

The State shall pursue the realization of a modern, humane, economically-viable, and environmentally-sustainable society where the urbanization process is manifest in towns and cities being centers of productive economic activity and is led by market forces; where urban areas have affordable housing, sustainable physical and social infrastructure and services facilitated under a democratic and decentralized system of governance; and where urban areas provide the opportunities for an improved quality of life and the eradication of poverty.

The State shall ensure that poor dwellers in urban and rural areas shall not be evicted nor their dwelling demolished, except in accordance with law.

In addition, the State shall encourage on-site development in the implementation of housing programs and shall promote the creation of new settlements and development of sustainable urban renewal programs while guaranteeing the preservation of agricultural lands necessary for food security.

CHAPTER II

DEFINITION OF TERMS