Iloilo City unveils new housing projects for families

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

The Iloilo City government is expanding its affordable housing initiatives through the launch of its flagship Pabalay para sa Pamilyang Ilonggo (Pasilong) program, which aims to benefit around 9,000 prospective homeowners across four properties.

The Iloilo City Local Housing Office (ICLHO) on Thursday, Oct. 30, introduced two new sites under the program—the Iloilo River Plains Subdivision in Jaro district and the Westville Residences in Mandurriao district.

The Iloilo River Plains Subdivision, located in Barangays Lanit and Camalig, will feature 1,000 rowhouse units measuring 40 square meters each, to be developed by the National Housing Authority near the existing village of the same name.

This project is intended primarily for informal settler families who will be displaced by development activities along the Iloilo River.

It was announced during the launch that beneficiaries would only pay for the lot, while the city government would shoulder the cost of house construction.

Further details about the Westville Residences in Barangay Hibao-an, to be developed in partnership with Henber Realty Development Corporation, are still being finalized.

Acquisition of homes in both developments will be available through the Pag-IBIG Fund’s End-User Financing Program.

These two projects are in addition to the city’s earlier housing initiatives, including the Uswag Condominium Complex in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro, and Rise Batiano Village in Barangay West Habog-Habog, Molo.

ICLHO head Peter Jason Millare said the Pasilong program integrates all of the city’s housing-related efforts.

Beyond infrastructure, the city will also focus on strengthening community organizing and supporting the formation and registration of homeowners’ associations with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

“All housing initiatives, housing solutions, including community organizations [and] livelihood packages, etc., will be under the Pasilong program,” Millare said.

Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu also announced that an additional 2,000 housing units will be constructed on more than 30,000 square meters of newly acquired land for future developments.