Luntiang Bukas launches in Iloilo City

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Secure land titles, disaster-resilient homes, urban greening projects, and rice subsidies took center stage in Iloilo City on Friday, April 24, as the national government launched its “Handog ng Pangulo: Luntiang Bukas” initiative.

The ceremonial launch was led by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon “Ping” Aliling.

The program aims to promote green, climate-resilient communities by formalizing land tenure, planting trees, and improving open spaces in vulnerable areas.

“Luntiang Bukas is the national government delivering on its promised life—secure land titles in the hands of the families, climate-ready homes that can stand against storms, green public spaces where children can play, and living forests that sustain livelihoods,” Cuna said in a press briefing.

“A land title is an anchor, a resilient home is protection, a park is a shared heart for neighbors, a planted tree is the seed of the family’s future,” he added.

Cuna said the initiative’s four pillars form a unified plan to uplift communities and enhance safety, requiring a whole-of-government approach involving national agencies, local leaders, civil society, and the private sector.

“These are four interconnected programs that follow a sequential flow that will help build Filipino communities that are resilient, self-reliant, and prepared for the impacts of climate change,” he said.

At least 175 beneficiaries across Western Visayas ceremonially received land titles during the launch.

Regionwide, the program aims to award 820 land patents or titles to residents, local government units, schools, and universities.

The DENR and DHSUD also awarded certificates of entitlement to lot allocation to 25 beneficiaries in Batiano Village, Barangay West Habog-Habog, Molo District, Iloilo City.

A ceremonial turnover of climate-resilient homes was also held at the Purok Resilience Village in Batiano Village.

The housing site occupies a 13,195-square-meter property acquired by the city government, with PHP 40 million allocated for site development, including embankment, slope protection, and legal easements.

Certificates of entitlement to lot allocations were also awarded to beneficiaries of the Purok Resilience Village in Barangay Nangka, Batad, Iloilo, a pilot socialized housing program launched in March 2026 to relocate 30 families from high-risk hazard zones.

The city government also distributed 5 kilograms of rice subsidies to an initial 100 beneficiaries.

Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu said Thursday that Iloilo City’s allocation was based on population size.

She added that the rice subsidy program requires local government units to procure rice from local sources or rice cooperatives to support local farmers.

“We thank the national government for this initiative because it is the first time that the budget goes directly to the local government units,” she said.

The Luntiang Bukas initiative is part of the Marcos administration’s broader effort to integrate environmental sustainability, housing security, and food support into community development, particularly in areas vulnerable to climate-related risks.