Access to affordable shelter in Iloilo City is set to expand following the rollout of the city’s first public rental housing initiative, a program aimed at easing the local housing shortage while providing low-cost options for families with limited means. City officials said the project marks a major step in offering transitional homes to residents who are not yet ready for permanent housing.
Called the Iloilo Residences Rental Housing Project, the development will rise in Barangay Sambag, Jaro and will deliver 362 rental units. Financing will come from escrow funds of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), drawn from mandatory developer deposits under the Balanced Housing Development Program. The facility is targeted to open in 2027.
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Affordable Housing for Vulnerable Sectors
The project is intended for families starting out, disaster survivors, and residents displaced by demolitions. Monthly rent is proposed at P850, excluding utilities, with beneficiaries allowed to stay for up to five years as they prepare for permanent housing solutions. DHSUD will handle the selection of the project contractor.
DHSUD Senior Undersecretary Eduardo Robles Jr. described the initiative as a milestone for the city that supports the national government’s push to ensure decent housing for every Filipino family.
“This is not just a ceremony; it is the provision of safe, decent, and dignified homes for our people. [...] More than concrete, roof, and walls, these homes are foundations for dignified lives, building stronger families and communities,” he said.
Design, Facilities, and Long-Term Strategy
Iloilo City Local Housing Office head Atty. Peter Jason Millare said the complex will be composed of two seven-story buildings equipped with elevators, with each unit measuring 27 square meters. He noted that the development will also include a multipurpose hall, health center, park, playground, and basketball court to give residents access to basic services and open spaces.
Millare added that the availability of developer escrow funds has grown in the city, helping make projects like this possible.
“The developers’ escrow fund is increasing. In Iloilo City, there is almost P200 million. Finally, they allocated to us because of our efforts in the lot acquisition program. Since we acquired lots, we have readily available lands for our housing projects,” he said.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said the rental housing initiative is part of the city’s long-term plan to reduce its housing backlog, which stood at more than 22,000 units as of 2025.
“It is worth emphasizing that these housing projects reflect the strong partnerships we have with our national government agencies and the private sector—working hand in hand to deliver real, meaningful benefits to our communities,” she said.
On the same day, DHSUD awarded Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) to 213 families in Iloilo City through Presidential Proclamation (PP) 1538. The proclamation, issued on June 18, 2008, by then-president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, reserves a 36,000-square-meter parcel of land in Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro, as a socialized housing site.
Treñas highlighted the importance of the certificates for beneficiary families. “This certificate is not just a piece of paper; it is a symbol of security and peace of mind for your families. The place you call home is now secured and recognized,” she added.
For many Iloilo residents, the rental housing project represents a practical pathway toward stable shelter, while for the city and the country, it demonstrates how coordinated government action can translate into tangible solutions for one of the most pressing needs of ordinary Filipinos, having a safe place to call home.
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