The Iloilo City Government is providing more than just homes to beneficiaries of its housing programs. It is also creating sustainable livelihood opportunities to strengthen their economic well-being and ensure the long-term development of their communities.
As part of the continued implementation of the inclusive PASILONG (Pabahay sa Pamilyang Ilonggo Housing Program), one of the flagship programs of the Iloilo City Government under Mayor Raisa S. Treñas, the city has provided 21 livelihood projects worth more than ₱5.8 million to 17 homeowners’ associations (HOAs) across various relocation sites and housing projects.
The livelihood projects include meat processing, talipapa/sari-sari stores, commercial digital printing, e-bikes, laundry services, sewing, weaving, community market stalls and catering services, providing beneficiaries with additional sources of income and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
The 17 beneficiary homeowners’ associations are GK Federation in Brgy. San Isidro, Jaro; IRPS Federation and IRPS Village IV, V, and VI HOAs in Brgy. Camalig-Lanit, Jaro; Hopeville Subdivision HOA and Uswag Sambag Subdivision HOA in Brgy. Sambag, Jaro; Uswag Lanit Hismaña HOA in Brgy. Lanit, Jaro; Bitoon Newsite HOA in Brgy. Bitoon, Jaro; Sooc Relocation Sites HOA, Sooc Project 4 HOA, Sooc Project 5 HOA, Sooc Project 6 HOA, and GK 6 HOA in Brgy. Sooc, Arevalo; San Juan Federation and San Juan On-site Area HOA in Brgy. San Juan, Molo; and South Fundidor On-site HOA in Brgy. South Fundidor, Molo.
The initiative was made possible through the collaboration of the Iloilo City Government, through the Iloilo City Local Housing Office (ICLHO), together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), PAGCOR, the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Angat Buhay Foundation, Iloilo City Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIPO) Office, among others.
To further equip beneficiaries with the knowledge and skills needed to manage their enterprises, they also underwent various capacity-building programs, including Meat Processing Training, Capacity Building on Micro-Enterprise Development, Weaving Training, Cooperative Development Training, and other livelihood-related trainings.
Mayor Raisa emphasized that the PASILONG Program is not only about providing shelter but also about creating opportunities for families to build sustainable sources of income.
“We want our beneficiaries to have more than just a home. We want them to have a reliable source of livelihood as well. This is our vision, we want our homeowners’ associations to develop enterprises that can generate additional income to help improve the lives of their members and their communities,” Mayor Raisa said. (Iloilo City PIO)
