The city government officially launched on Wednesday its Pabalay sa Pamilyang Ilonggo (Pasilong) program, a holistic approach that provides decent housing with socio-economic support to Ilonggos.

“In its first year, Pasilong has already assisted more than 2,000 Ilonggo households and families. And today, we are opening even more opportunities,” said Mayor Raisa Treñas in her message.

It is currently implementing major housing projects namely the Batiano Village, with 173 units in Barangays West Habog Habog and San Juan, Molo, which prioritizes fire victims and families from danger zones; Westville Residences, with 86 homes in Barangay Hibao-an, Mandurriao; Iloilo Residences with over 360 vertical units in Sambag, Jaro; Uswag Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH) condominium complex to deliver approximately 1,677 units and the 240-unit Uswag Residential Complex for teacher and uniformed personnel personnel, all in Barangay San Isidro in Jaro district.

Treñas said the Iloilo Residences, in partnership with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, is a pilot test of the rental housing project of the national government.

Currently, the Uswag Residential Complex and the 4PH condominium units, both rent-to-own units, are already available.

“We allocated for the marginalized. But it is also time to give opportunities to our working class,” the mayor added.

Lawyer Peter Jason Millare, head of the Iloilo City Local Housing Office, said the program is anchored on a participatory approach, focusing on people empowerment while providing adequate and affordable housing options with accessible public facilities for more livable and resilient communities.

“The old mindset that housing is just a roof and walls is outdated. Genuine housing provides dignity, hope, and a future for every Ilonggo family. Moving away from traditional, isolated resettlement, Pasilong introduces a holistic ecosystem focusing on community building with immediate socioeconomic support,” Millare said during his project brief.

Millare said that to ensure the relocatees will not become jobless, the city government provided targeted livelihoods, allocating PHP5.8 million for livelihood packages for homeowners associations.

Under Pasilong, communities are strengthened through livelihood support, community organizing, access to basic services and assistance in securing land tenure. Scholarship programs are provided to homeowners associations.

In anticipation of the growing communities, the city government expanded its land target and is currently banking nearly 30,000 square meters of additional land to pipeline over 2,000 vertical and low-cost housing units, he added.

DHSUD Regional Director for Western Visayas Eva Marfil said Pasilong, which means to take shelter in Hiligaynon, is more than just a shelter. With the levelled-up program that also includes livelihood and other related services, when all put together, “spells safe, resilient, economically productive, empowered and sustainable communities.”

“As a national government entity, I consider the Pasilong program as the city government’s invitation for us to come and join in uplifting the lives of Ilonggos,” she said in her message of support.

She added that DHSUD will continue to extend support to local governments, such as Iloilo City, that share their vision of safe, resilient, empowered and sustainable communities.

Also marking the formal launch was the unveiling of the mock housing unit under the program. (PNA)