ILOILO City – The turnover of KaUSWAGan Residences, the first vertical socialized housing project in Iloilo City, took place yesterday in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro, marking a significant milestone in providing affordable housing for low-salary-grade employees of the city government.
The P248-million project, a four-story low-rise condominium with 120 units, was developed by SM Development Corporation (SMDC) in partnership with project manager CFC ANCOP, the Iloilo City Government, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
The event was graced by SMDC key officials headed by their Property Acquisition and Compliance Consultant Armenia Ballesteros, Vice President Atty. David Tan, and Assistant Vice President Sheila Ching, alongside Iloilo City Government officials, led by Acting Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, and various department heads.
Mayor Jerry Treñas emphasized in his recorded message that the rise of KaUSWAGan Residences marks a significant milestone for Iloilo City’s housing sector.
He described the development as a “true landmark”, reflecting the city’s commitment to addressing housing needs and improving the living conditions of its residents.
“This project stands as our shared history and pride as the very first socialized vertical development of Iloilo City,” said Treñas.
Treñas recalled his initial disbelief that the KaUSWAGan Residences project began during the height of the pandemic.
He expressed amazement at how the city was able to push forward with such a significant housing initiative despite the challenges brought about by COVID-19.
This achievement, he noted, demonstrated the resilience and determination of Iloilo City to continue developing and improving, even in the face of unprecedented global difficulties.
“It has become more remarkable as the only housing project in Iloilo City that DHSUD allowed the utilization of escrow funds with the additional funding of SMDC under the direct participation as part of their socialized balance compliance,” the mayor emphasized.
Treñas highlighted that the KaUSWAGan Residences sets a new benchmark for public-private collaborations in the housing sector.
He emphasized that the project exemplifies how partnerships between the government and private entities can lead to successful and impactful developments, addressing the city’s housing needs while promoting sustainable urban growth.
This collaboration, the mayor noted, serves as a model for future projects, showcasing the potential of such synergies in achieving common goals for the betterment of the community.
“May this serve as an eye-opener, that with the formidable alliance among LGU, national agency, private sector, and CSO, any shared vision, projects and programs can always be attainable,” said Treñas.
Treñas also underscored that the beneficiaries of the KaUSWAGan Residences will not need to make additional payments beyond their monthly amortization with the Pag-IBIG Fund.
He emphasized that this arrangement ensures affordability for the residents, as they only have to manage their regular amortization payments without any extra financial burdens.
For his part, Acting Mayor Ganzon said the turnover of KaUSWAGan Residences is the start of a new chapter for the beneficiaries.
“To the KaUSWAGan residents, may this key be the gateway to a life full of happiness, prosperity, and peace. May your new units be a place of warmth, love, and joy where you create lasting memories with your family, neighbors, and friends,” said Ganzon.
During the symbolic turnover ceremony yesterday, SMDC key officials handed over the keys to KaUSWAGAN Residences – further advancing the government’s efforts to reduce the 6.5 million housing backlog.
“This project underscores SMDC’s commitment to supporting the government’s socialized housing program,” said Jeffrey C. Lim, SMPHI President. “We are proud to deliver high-quality homes for Filipino workers and contribute to building thriving communities.”
Designed with the working class in mind, KaUSWAGAN Residences features two four-story buildings with 30-square-meter units, ample parking spaces, and proximity to the city center — just 6.5 kilometers from Iloilo City Hall.
This thoughtful location provides easy access to essential services, making it a practical choice for local government employees.
The KaUSWAGan Residences is part of SMDC’s commitment to housing balance compliance, which requires private developers to contribute to socialized housing efforts.
In 2022, the city government began the selection of the beneficiaries of the housing units. Qualified were those with a Salary Grade of 8 and below, and with at least five years of service as a regular employee by Dec. 31, 2021 (services as job hire included). Also, they must not have real property (no house).
In its bid for more Responsive and Inclusive Human Development under the “RISE, Iloilo City” roadmap, the city government strives to provide Ilonggos, especially informal settlers affected by infrastructure projects in the metropolis and those residing along the Iloilo-Batiano River, with safe, adequate, and affordable living spaces.
With the estimated housing backlog of over 15,000, Treñas previously said the city government is pursuing more housing projects to achieve the goal.
It has acquired a total of 933,940 square meters of land totaling P362,144,423.60 including the acquisition done in 2021 until the present.
So far, the city has a total of 42 relocation/housing projects with around 8,579 existing Ilonggo family beneficiaries.
The Treñas administration even created the Iloilo City Local Housing Office (ICHLO) to upscale the implementation of multi-story vertical resettlements, such as the KaUSWAGan Residences and Uswag Residential Complex with the National Housing Authority (NHA), and other related housing projects.
The ICLHO is in charge of facilitating the application process of qualified beneficiaries as defined by the Iloilo City Local Housing Board (ICLHB) by collecting applications, exercising social profiling through data collection of informal settler families and other qualified beneficiaries, surveying relocation sites and danger areas, and presenting the aforementioned to the ICLHB for assessment and proper action.
The project is a significant step toward addressing the housing needs of government workers in Iloilo City, offering them affordable, quality housing while promoting their well-being./PN
