BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – More than a thousand boardinghouses and over a hundred computer shops in this city have been found operating without business permits, prompting authorities to shut down dozens of establishments in a sweeping crackdown on illegal operations and safety violations.
The Iloilo City Boarding House Commission (BHC) revealed that 1,405 out of 3,320 inspected boardinghouses lacked permits — a scale officials described as “very alarming” and indicative of a widespread compliance problem endangering boarders, mostly students and workers.
“In just five months, we received 18 complaints from different parts of the city. This tells us that many boardinghouses continue to operate without proper permits,” said BHC head Rammy Guintibano.
From June to October 2025, the BHC logged complaints from all districts, with the highest concentrations of unregulated operations found in Jaro (1,006 inspected), Mandurriao (581), and La Paz (515).
The commission expects inspections to breach 4,000 establishments by year’s end.
Guintibano noted that many illegal structures were clustered in coastal communities where operators used land they did not own.
“We saw many boardinghouses in coastal areas operating on land they do not own and without permits. These setups pose serious safety risks and violate multiple city regulations,” he said.
He urged prospective renters to verify compliance.
“For those looking for boarding houses, choose the right one. Make sure it has updated permits because that is your assurance of safety,” said Guintibano.
To owners, he stressed: “We are reminding all owners: complete your permits. Compliance is not optional.”
Widespread Violations in Computer Shops, Billiard Halls
In a parallel crackdown, the Task Force Internet Online Services Gaming Center Anti-Piracy and Pornography (IGCAPP) — also led by Guintibano — found pervasive violations among computer shops and billiard halls.
Of 377 computer shops inspected:
* 122 had valid permits
* 157 had none
* 98 were ordered closed
For billiard halls:
* 17 had permits
* 30 operated without permits
* 12 were shut down
“These establishments cannot continue operating without permits. It is unfair to compliant businesses and unsafe for customers,” Guintibano said.
City Vows Sustained Enforcement
Guintibano said inspection teams will maintain strict and continuous monitoring.
“This is our mandate, and we are committed to ensuring that all establishments operating in Iloilo City follow the law,” he said.
City authorities stressed that the intensified operations aim not only to enforce regulations but to protect consumers, particularly students and low-income workers who rely heavily on boarding houses and community establishments./PN
