Iloilo City — The city's housing board is set to embark on a comprehensive house-to-house survey aimed at ascertaining the exact number of informal settlers. The move is designed to create a master list to prioritize those in need of housing.
According to a news release by Philippines News Agency, the survey follows the amendment of the ICLHB ordinance by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (city council). The amendment, passed during the council's regular session on Wednesday, revives the board, brings in new members, establishes required committees, and updates its powers and functions.
Lawyer Peter Jason Millare, who heads the Iloilo City Local Housing Office, pointed out that the backlog in housing construction represents a significant obstacle. "We will conduct a house-to-house survey to establish the official baseline data, which will inform future policies. New structures that are not on the map and not tagged will be identified and the local government unit can abate them without the need for relocation," Millare said in an interview on Friday.
Millare further added that those included in the master list would be prioritized for housing. Among the potential beneficiaries are individuals with court-ordered ejectments. However, current data on the backlog is merely a projection.
As of September 2022, the Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs has recorded 12,300 informal settlers. Projections indicate that this number could rise to 15,000 by 2028, assuming a 4 percent annual increase.
The ICLHB, now reconstituted, will act as the policy-making body for the local government unit concerning shelter programs, with Millare's office serving as the implementing arm. "We are moving towards participatory governance, involving the private sector, civil society organizations, and people's organizations," said Millare.
The mayor and vice mayor will serve as the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the board, respectively, with the housing office functioning as the secretariat. The board will oversee six committees responsible for various aspects of housing, including land acquisition, resettlement planning, beneficiary selection, estate management, and anti-squatting measures.
An ongoing housing project at the Uswag Residential Complex in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro district, is currently being funded under the General Appropriations Act and was initiated by former Senator Franklin Drilon. The National Housing Authority has assured the completion of the project, which includes four buildings containing a total of 240 units, by May next year.
Additionally, the city government has a partnership with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development for the 'Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino: Zero ISF Program for 2028.'