ILOILO CITY – The administration of Mayor Raisa S. Treñas has strengthened its commitment to provide Ilonggo families with safe and dignified homes with the signing of the Comprehensive Iloilo City Local Housing Code of 2026, or PASILONG Code of 2026, institutionalizing the city’s flagship housing program.
The ordinance establishes a permanent legal framework for implementing PASILONG (Pabalay Para sa Pamilyang Ilonggo) that will ensure a more organized, comprehensive, and sustainable approach to housing and relocation programs.
“Importante nga may ara kita sang clear policies and legal framework para sa mas maayo kag organisado nga implementation sang aton housing programs,” Mayor Treñas said.
Under the PASILONG Code, the city government’s housing program will go beyond providing houses and relocation sites to include security of tenure, livelihood opportunities, skills training, community organizing, and access to education, healthcare, and other basic services.
These provisions build on the city government’s ongoing efforts to empower housing beneficiaries and promote self-sustaining communities.
During the ceremonial turnover in August 2026, the city government, with the support of key partners, including the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), provided 21 livelihood projects worth more than P5 million to 17 homeowners’ associations (HOAs) in various relocation sites.
The projects include meat processing, community stores, digital printing, e-bike services, laundry services, sewing, weaving, market stalls, water refilling, and catering enterprises. Beneficiaries also received capacity-building and skills training to help them manage and sustain their community-based businesses.
The city has also organized 32 youth organizations in relocation communities to encourage young residents to participate in community development and collaborate with the local government in its various initiatives.
Complementing these efforts is Project Ed-Youth, which provides financial grants of ₱5,000 each to 400 beneficiaries from youth organizations in city relocation sites. With a total budget of ₱2 million, the program aims to support young people and encourage their participation in community initiatives.
These initiatives form part of the city’s broader community-organizing efforts, which include 63 Homeowners Associations (HOAs) across 46 relocation and resettlement sites to strengthen community leadership and participation.
The Code also sets clear guidelines for beneficiary selection, prioritizing families living in danger zones, those affected by government infrastructure projects and court-ordered evictions, and vulnerable sectors such as persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and solo parents.
It likewise incorporates the “No Relocation, No Demolition” policy, subject to applicable exceptions and procedures under national laws, to help ensure a just and humane relocation process.
Under the administration of Mayor Raisa, more than 2,000 housing units are expected to become available under four housing programs: the Iloilo Residences Rental Housing Project, USWAG E4PH Condominium Complex, Westville Residences, and Batiano Village.
Councilor Miguel Treñas, author and sponsor of the ordinance, said the measure adopts a more holistic and people-centered approach to housing, going beyond the provision of shelter to include community development and empowerment.
“In celebration of the National Shelter Month this October, we find it timely to finally pass this ordinance which seeks to establish the Comprehensive Iloilo City Local Housing Code and institutionalize the PASILONG Program as the City’s flagship housing program,” Councilor Treñas said.
He emphasized that the initiative seeks to provide every Ilonggo family not only with a house but also with “a safe and dignified place they can truly call HOME.”
The Code itself underscores this commitment, stating that the PASILONG Program “redefines housing programs and relocation activities” by going beyond providing a house toward a more holistic housing solution.
It highlights people empowerment at the grassroots level, community organization through HOAs, capability-building, community mobilization, and opportunities for youth, PWDs, and senior citizens, alongside access to education, healthcare, and livelihood packages.
Mayor Treñas thanked Councilor Miguel Treñas and the members of the Iloilo City Council for supporting the measure.
“With the PASILONG Code now signed, may ara na kita sang klaro kag permanente nga framework para sa aton housing programs, from beneficiary selection to the development of sustainable housing communities,” the mayor said.
Earlier, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) commended the city government’s PASILONG Program for adopting a holistic approach to housing.
According to DHSUD-6 Regional Director Eva Maria P. Marfil, PASILONG has strengthened the concept of housing by integrating livelihood opportunities and other services to empower communities and make relocation sites and housing projects more sustainable.
“I commend the city government, and especially Mayor Treñas and the City Council, for choosing to implement this multi-sectoral program,” Marfil said during the launch of PASILONG.
She added that the program opens opportunities for partnerships among the national government, private sector, non-government organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders to expand support for housing beneficiaries./PN
