ILOILO City — This southern city hosted the national launch of “Handog ng Pangulo: Luntiang Bukas – Pamilyang May Lupa, Komunidad na Luntian, Bukas na Matatag” on April 24, 2026, at the Iloilo River Esplanade.
Beyond hosting, the city emerged as a living model of the program’s vision.
“As a city guided by the vision of becoming one of the country’s Top 3 Most Livable, Sustainable, and Resilient Cities, Iloilo City proudly aligns itself with the goals of Luntiang Bukas. The program’s focus on integrated land administration, reforestation, green infrastructure, and climate-resilient housing reflects the very principles we strive to uphold for the benefit of our residents,” said Mayor Raisa S. Treñas, who also thanked the national government for choosing Iloilo City as host.
Bringing together national agencies and local leaders, Luntiang Bukas is a four-pronged, multi-agency program covering Lupa para sa Pamilya, Tahanan na Handa sa Klima, Luntian para sa Lahat, and Luntiang Kabuhayan, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
The launch underscored a unified approach to building resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable communities. The initiative integrates secure land tenure, climate-resilient housing, green public spaces, and sustainable livelihoods into a single, comprehensive framework.
DENR Secretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna emphasized why Iloilo City was chosen to host the event.
“Since part of the program is on linear parks, we thought that the Iloilo River Esplanade would be the best model for us to encourage replication elsewhere,” Cuna said, pointing to the Esplanade as a benchmark for sustainable urban development nationwide.
A walkthrough of the Esplanade — widely regarded as one of the country’s best examples of a linear park — highlighted the “Luntian” component of the program, demonstrating how urban green spaces can coexist with flood control, biodiversity protection, and community use.
Mayor Treñas welcomed the recognition as she emphasized that Iloilo City’s progress is the result of sustained collaboration.
“The support up to today is the reason why Iloilo City’s Esplanade is considered one of the best practices,” Mayor Treñas said in response to Secretary Cuna’s remark, highlighting the importance of sustained national support for local programs.
The launch also delivered immediate benefits to communities. Rice assistance was distributed to the first 100 beneficiaries from Iloilo City, marking the start of support from the P72-million Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) provided by the national government through the Iloilo City Government.
Housing and land security were also key highlights. Certificates of Entitlement were awarded to the initial 25 beneficiaries of a 100-unit, city-funded climate-resilient housing project in Batiano Village, Molo district. Designed for families from flood-prone areas, each unit features a 27-square-meter loft-style layout.
In addition, approved housing loans from Pag-IBIG Fund were awarded to beneficiaries of the Kauswagan Residences in Jaro district in Iloilo City. The Iloilo Residences Rental Housing Project in Sambag, Jaro — implemented in partnership with the DHSUD — has also expanded to 362 units, backed by a P640 million escrow fund.
“We likewise extend our heartfelt appreciation to the national government for its continued support to our city. The direct provision of the rice subsidy to our local government has greatly contributed to ensuring food security and easing the burden on our constituents. We also thank President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for his trust and confidence in Iloilo City Government,” the city mayor added.
Meanwhile, further strengthening land security, a total of 820 land titles were distributed to farmers, residents, and institutions across Western Visayas, empowering families with legal ownership and greater economic stability.
Cuna stressed the importance of addressing interconnected challenges through integrated solutions.
“For too long, many of our fellow Filipinos have lived and worked on land they do not legally own. The challenges are complex and multi-layered, so our solutions must also be comprehensive,” he said.
To support environmental sustainability and livelihoods, 5,000 seedlings were also distributed as part of the initiative.
The launching was also joined by DHSUD Undersecretary Atty. Eduardo Robles Jr., DENR Assistant Director of the Forest Management Bureau Atty. Ray Thomas Kabigting, DENR Region 6 Regional Executive Director Raul Lorilla, Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene Acosta, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., and other local officials./PN
