ILOILO City – The city government has consolidated all its housing initiatives under a single flagship banner — “Pasilong: Pabalay para sa Pamilyang Ilonggo” — in a sweeping effort to provide affordable, climate-resilient, and tenure-secure homes for thousands of Ilonggo families.
According to Iloilo City Local Housing Office (ICLHO) head Atty. Peter Millare, the new program will serve as an umbrella framework that integrates all existing and upcoming housing projects, from home construction to the formation of homeowners’ associations and titling of lots.
“Pasilong, which means a place where one can find shelter or rest, is a game changer — not just for branding purposes but also for genuine public service,” Millare said.
Millare added that the initiative covers the building of homes and climate-resilient housing projects, as well as the processing of certificates of registration, licenses to sell, and subdivision survey plans to ensure beneficiaries’ security of tenure.
The city currently has 46 relocation and resettlement sites available through both lot-only and house-and-lot packages, developed in partnership with civil society groups and national agencies.
During the recent launch, Millare announced that, with the approval of Mayor Raisa Treñas, the houses at the Iloilo Riverplains Subdivision in Barangays Lanit and Camalig, Jaro will be given free of charge — with the city recovering only the cost of the lot and site development. The subdivision has around 1,000 occupants.
Treñas also revealed that more than 2,000 housing units are in the pipeline, supported by the acquisition of over 30,000 square meters of land for future housing developments.
Various stakeholders joined the launch, including the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), Henber Realty Development Corporation, EON Realty and Development Corporation, the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund), and Councilor Mandrie Malabor, chairperson of the Committee on Urban Poor, Human Rights, and Minority Groups./PN
