ILOILO – A new repayment scheme balancing compassion and accountability is being crafted for beneficiaries of Iloilo’s flagship Purok Resilience Program, signaling the province’s push for a sustainable model of housing assistance that empowers disaster-affected families instead of fostering dependence.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. recently met with national housing agencies and partner organizations to iron out what he described as a “just and humane” payment system that would make homeownership attainable while promoting shared responsibility.
“The Provincial Government must exercise responsible and compassionate governance. This housing initiative should not be a dole-out, but a partnership that empowers families and communities to take part in building a better future,” Defensor emphasized.
The Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Purok Resilience Program recently convened with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), and the Homeless People’s Federation Philippines, Inc. (HPFPI) to design a repayment mechanism suited to beneficiaries’ economic capacities and livelihood realities.
Piloted in Barangay Nangka, Batad, Iloilo, the Purok Resilience Program provides climate-resilient, affordable housing for families displaced or threatened by natural disasters. Officials said the new payment scheme aims to sustain the program’s expansion across other municipalities while fostering a sense of ownership and accountability among homeowners.
The DHSUD also reaffirmed its support for organizing the beneficiaries into a registered Homeowners’ Association (HOA) to enable collective management and ensure long-term community sustainability.
The initiative forms part of Defensor’s MoRProGRes Iloilo vision — Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally-Competitive, and Resilient Province of Iloilo — anchored on inclusive growth and disaster resilience through responsible governance./PN