Iloilo families lock in cheaper housing deals

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

More than 500 households in Iloilo City are closer to owning residential lots after the city government and beneficiaries signed contracts to sell for a socialized housing project in San Juan, Molo, where lots are priced at PHP 200 per square meter.

A total of 517 families from the San Juan Villanueva-Sian Housing Site formally entered into agreements Monday, June 22, marking a key step toward full ownership of their residential lots under a long-term, affordable payment scheme.

Under the program, beneficiaries will gradually acquire ownership of their lots over 10 years, with flexible payment terms designed to accommodate low- and middle-income households.

The arrangement includes a 10% down payment and a monthly amortization of around PHP 350, depending on the lot size and payment structure.

Beneficiaries also have the option to fully settle payments earlier to secure land titles sooner.

The PHP 200 per square meter valuation was based on the original government acquisition cost in 1992 and was maintained without interest or additional markup.

A total of 695 homelots are covered under the housing project, with the 517 beneficiaries comprising the first batch of qualified applicants who completed the contract signing process.

On Sept. 24, the Iloilo City Local Housing Office officially received the Certificate of Registration and License to Sell for the housing site.

The certificate was issued by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development on July 22, 2024.

The Certificate of Registration and License to Sell are critical legal documents because they authorize the sale of housing lots and ensure regulatory compliance under national housing laws.

Once secured, these clearances help streamline the process of transferring formal ownership to qualified buyers, particularly in government housing projects.

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu said the initiative reflects the city’s commitment to inclusive and dignified housing, emphasizing that access to shelter remains a core priority of local governance.

“There is no better way to ground the grand vision of a ‘world city’ or a ’progressive city’ than by ensuring that our people have dignity, security, and a place they can truly call home,” she emphasized.

The mayor also said Iloilo City has six ongoing housing projects designed to expand access to safe and decent housing for residents across different sectors.

Beyond housing, the city government also committed to strengthening communities through livelihood assistance programs for homeowners associations, community centers, and health clinics to ensure that basic services are accessible within relocation sites.