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Bill: Extend homestead permits to 10 years
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Posted on May 01 2001
Recognizing weaker consumer buying power due to economic difficulties, the legislators yesterday recommended the passage of a measure aimed at extending the effectivity of homestead permits up to ten years.
Members of House Committee on Natural Resources who reviewed House Bill 12-186 endorsed its passage, citing the need to assist homesteaders in fulfilling the requirements that will allow them to keep their homestead lots.
Legislators explained that unhealthy economy amid business slowdown resulted to the inability of homesteaders to construct necessary structures.
More than 125 homestead permits were revoked yesterday by the Division of Public Lands since homeowners have failed to construct a dwelling on their lots for the last three years.
Sponsored by Rep. David Apatang, the proposal is aimed at extending to ten years the maximum time a homesteader is given to develop his property before his land is revoked and returned to the government.
The committee disclosed that the present Village Homestead Program needs paved roads, street lights, power, sewer utilities, and other basic infrastructure.
HB 12-186 will provide homesteaders the orderly emplacement of basic infrastructure in new and old subdivisions and allow homesteaders to improve their homesteads.
The bill also asked DPL to allow homesteaders an extension of the period or up to ten years from the date the homestead permit was issued but revocation can only be carried out after due notice to the homesteader.
“The homesteader has abandoned the land or has failed to comply with the laws, rules, and regulations relating to homestead, then the permit shall be revoked and the land so entered shall revert to government,” the bill reads.
The bill further asserted that no village homestead subdivision, tract, or lot shall be made available to qualified homestead applicants, unless infrastructures are well in placed.
