ILOILO – Prime government-owned properties in La Paz, Iloilo City and Santa Barbara town are being considered for a proposed affordable housing project for provincial government employees, as the Iloilo Provincial Government moves to address the growing difficulty of homeownership amid soaring residential property and construction costs.
The provincial government is preparing to evaluate the suitability of these properties and explore financing arrangements that could allow qualified Capitol employees, particularly those struggling with rental expenses and inadequate housing, to acquire homes of their own.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said the Iloilo Provincial Housing Board will convene within the next two weeks with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the National Housing Authority (NHA) to determine feasible development models and financing options.
The initiative follows an appeal from the Association of Iloilo Provincial Government Employees (AIPGE), which has sought government intervention to make decent and affordable housing accessible to provincial workers.
“Acting swiftly on the call for accessible and affordable shelter, Gov. Arthur ‘Toto’ Defensor Jr. has endorsed the appeal of the Association of Iloilo Provincial Government Employees (AIPGE) for immediate action,” Banias said.
The proposed housing project gained momentum following an October 13 meeting attended by Banias, members of the Provincial Housing Cluster and AIPGE president Joecil Mayor.
The meeting focused on identifying possible solutions to the housing difficulties confronting government employees, particularly those whose incomes have been increasingly strained by rising residential living expenses.
Among the immediate priorities is determining whether the identified provincial properties in La Paz and Santa Barbara can accommodate residential developments and what financing mechanisms could make housing units affordable to qualified employees.
The provincial government has yet to announce a final project site, development cost, number of housing units or implementation timetable, pending the feasibility assessment and consultations with national shelter agencies.
“We remain committed to turning this initiative into a reality—ensuring our public servants who dedicate their lives to serving the province have access to decent, secure, and affordable homes they can call their own,” Banias said.
The initiative stemmed from a formal request submitted by Mayor to Defensor last week, highlighting the difficulties faced by Capitol employees who aspire to own houses but cannot afford the escalating costs of construction materials and residential properties.
Mayor emphasized that housing remains a major financial concern for government workers, especially those renting accommodations, residing in inadequate housing conditions or unable to purchase their own homes.
He said access to affordable housing could significantly improve employees’ financial security, personal well-being and overall quality of life.
In his letter, Mayor urged the provincial government to explore housing programs, development projects and partnerships that would provide qualified employees with realistic opportunities for homeownership.
“We believe that a housing program for provincial government employees would be a meaningful investment in the welfare of those who continuously dedicate their time and service to the Province of Iloilo, Secure and affordable housing can provide employees and their families with greater stability and may further motivate them to remain productive and committed in the performance of their duties,” Mayor stated in his letter.
The proposed initiative would represent a potential expansion of the provincial government’s employee welfare programs beyond conventional employment benefits by addressing one of the most substantial financial burdens confronting working families./PN
