1,400 boarding houses found operating sans permits

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

A sweeping inspection by the Iloilo City Boarding House Commission has uncovered 1,405 boarding houses operating without business permits, many located in densely populated residential areas and coastal communities.

As of October 2025, the commission had inspected 3,320 boarding houses citywide. Of these, only 1,915 have complied with permit requirements.

More than 30% of all inspected establishments—1,008 boarding houses—were located in the Jaro district.

Jaro also recorded the highest number of non-compliant establishments at 363, followed by Mandurriao with 264, La Paz with 220, and the City Proper with 215.

Boarding House Commission head Rammy Guintibano said 1,066 operators have been issued notices of violation.

He noted that many of the unlicensed boarding houses were private homes where families converted upper floors into rental accommodations, especially in coastal barangays.

A total of 108 boarding houses were declared closed after barangay captains certified they had ceased operations.

Meanwhile, 598 owners are either appealing their cases or currently processing their permits.

Guintibano said inspection activities have increased by 10% to 15% since he assumed office in July, which he attributed to stronger coordination with barangays.

“In the past months, we went down to the barangays, wrote and talked to the barangay officials to help identify the boarding houses in their area. Through that, we had an increase in the number of boarding houses we inspected,” he said.

The commission expects to inspect at least 4,000 boarding houses by the end of 2025—more than double the 1,000 inspections logged when Guintibano began his term.

Aside from on-site operations, the commission received 18 complaints this year reporting boarding houses operating without permits.

Guintibano also urged students and renters to choose accommodations wisely and ensure the boarding houses they rent are properly permitted.