Families living in a high-risk landslide zone in Batad now have a safer place to call home, as the Iloilo Provincial Government formally turned over 30 permanent housing units under its flagship Purok Resilience Program (PRP).
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. led the turnover of the newly built homes to residents of Purok 3, Barangay Nangka—an area previously threatened by a dangerous mountain crack that posed imminent landslide risks.
Among the beneficiaries is Josefina Brillantes, who expressed relief after years of uncertainty. “Nalipay gid ako kay naluwas kami sa kalainan (I am happy because we are finally safe from any danger),” she said.
The housing project, worth ₱36 million, is designed to provide long-term solutions for families frequently displaced during typhoons and other disasters. Defensor emphasized that investing in permanent relocation is a more sustainable approach than repeatedly funding evacuation efforts.
“If we want to spend money on evacuation centers, why not allocate it in building houses for our relocatees,” the governor said, noting that the program directly targets families regularly affected by disasters.
Each housing unit spans 36 square meters and is move-in ready, featuring a kitchen, bathroom, and a bedroom expandable into two rooms, with provisions for a loft or mezzanine. The community, now referred to as a “Resilience Village,” also includes rainwater harvesting systems, solar-powered streetlights, underground powerlines, and a water system.
Unlike conventional relocation projects, the PRP ensures that housing sites are located near residents’ sources of livelihood, helping families maintain their income while living in safer environments.
The Resilience Village was built on a 5,000-square-meter lot donated by the Municipality of Batad, the pilot local government unit for the program.
Defensor said the initiative will be expanded to other municipalities, including Oton, Concepcion, and Pototan, as part of the province’s broader push for disaster-resilient communities.
The turnover ceremony was attended by Vice Governor Lee Ann Debuque, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Batad Mayor Elvira Alarcon, Vice Mayor Steven Michael Andrada, and other local officials, along with representatives from national government agencies.
The Purok Resilience Program has also gained national recognition, earning the Excellence in Disaster Preparedness Award under the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s EXCEL Awards program. (Source: Balita Halin sa Kapitolyo)
