Be it enacted by the Batasang Pambansa, in session assembled:

SECTION 1. It is hereby declared a policy of the Government to promote and encourage the development of economic and socialized housing projects, primarily by the private sector, in order to make available adequate economic and socialized housing units for average and low-income earners in urban and rural areas.

SEC. 2. As used in this Act, economic and socialized housing refers to housing units which are within the affordability level of the average and low-income earners which is thirty percent (30%) of the gross family income as determined by the National Economic and Development Authority from time to time. It shall also refer to the government-initiated sites and services development and construction of economic and socialized housing projects in depressed areas.

SEC. 3. To carry out the foregoing policy, the Ministry of Human Settlements is authorized to establish, and promulgate different levels of standards and technical requirements for the development of economic and socialized housing projects and economic and socialized housing units in urban and rural areas from those provided in Presidential Decree Numbered Nine hundred fifty-seven, otherwise known as the "Subdivision and Condominium Buyers' Protective Decree," Presidential Decree Numbered Twelve hundred and sixteen, "Defining Open Space in Residential Subdivision"; Presidential Decree Numbered Ten hundred and ninety-six, otherwise known as the "National Building Code of the Philippines"; and Presidential Decree Numbered Eleven hundred and eighty-five, otherwise known as the "Fire Code of the Philippines" and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, in consultation with the Ministry of Public Works and Highways, the Integrated National Police, and other appropriate government units and instrumentalities and private associations.

SEC. 4. The standards and technical requirements to be established under Section three hereof shall provide for environmental ecology, hygiene and cleanliness, physical, cultural and spiritual development and public safety and may vary in each region, province or city depending on the availability of indigenous materials for building construction and other relevant factors.

SEC. 5. The different levels of standards and technical requirements that shall be established and promulgated by the Ministry of Human Settlements only after public hearing and shall be published in two newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines for at least once a week for two consecutive weeks and shall take effect thirty days after the last publication.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, March 25, 1982.